($318+) Norfolk, VA to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Norfolk, VA, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $318 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,681 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 276 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $970, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $5,681 or more.
- Moving containers run $835 - $2,559, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $318 - $736.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Norfolk, VA, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,518 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Norfolk, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from Norfolk to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $1,518 - $4,162 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 25% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 79% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 276 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 276-mile route from Norfolk to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $970 - $3,350 with full-service movers, $835 - $1,426 with a container, $318 - $570 with a rental truck, or $775 - $1,364 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,518 - $4,162 full-service, $1,142 - $2,084 by container, $326 - $623 by rental truck, or $896 - $1,585 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $2,077 - $5,681 full-service, $1,364 - $2,559 by container, $419 - $736 by rental truck, or $1,091 - $2,068 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Norfolk, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Full-service movers for the 276-mile relocation from Norfolk, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $970 and $5,681. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $289 - $1,924, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Norfolk typically charge a base rate around $220 plus $89 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Norfolk to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $970 - $3,350
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,518 - $4,162
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,077 - $5,681
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Norfolk to Philadelphia.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Norfolk, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Norfolk movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Philadelphia, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing68% of local movers | $481 - $4,810 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $192 - $1,154/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $289 - $2,309 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers | $962 - $2,886 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,405 - $9,620 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $721 - $1,369 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $962 - $2,405 |
| Piano | Any piano type44% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $770 - $3,367 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $289 - $1,443 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $625 - $1,924 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $289 - $14,430+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $289 - $3,367+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Norfolk to Philadelphia?
Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Pennsylvania, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Norfolk, VA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Norfolk to Philadelphia with a local mover averages $1,563 - $4,286. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Norfolk, VA often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.58/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Norfolk, ranked #4 in Virginia, based on our analysis of feedback from 410 customers, 83.4% of which is positive.
Address: 500 Woodlake Dr, #105, Chesapeake, VA, 23320 | Founded: 2017
Moving container costs from Norfolk, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Norfolk, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $835 and $2,559. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Norfolk runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Norfolk to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $835 - $1,426
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,142 - $2,084
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,364 - $2,559
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Norfolk, VA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $673, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $72 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $144 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Norfolk, VA, and Philadelphia, PA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia to Pennsylvania move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $835. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,142 - $2,084.
What are the best moving containers Norfolk to Philadelphia?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Norfolk to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Norfolk:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 9 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Norfolk, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Truck rentals from Norfolk, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, range from $318 - $736 for the 276-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $84 - $97
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Norfolk daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Norfolk to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $318 - $570
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $326 - $623
- 4+ bedrooms: $419 - $736
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Norfolk to Philadelphia starts at $318 - $736, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($84 - $97), overnight lodging ($144/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $72 and $337.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $144.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $84 and $97 for the 276-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $673 for 2 movers in Norfolk, Virginia, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Norfolk to Philadelphia?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Norfolk, VA to Philadelphia, PA
If you're moving a larger household from Norfolk, Virginia, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $896 and $1,585.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Norfolk to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $775 - $1,364
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $896 - $1,585
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,091 - $2,068
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Norfolk, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $673.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $72 and $144 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Norfolk to Philadelphia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Norfolk to Philadelphia. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Norfolk, VA vs Philadelphia, PA
Day-to-day costs in Philadelphia are close to what you're used to in Norfolk: cost of living index of 104 versus 91, with average rent of $1,695/mo compared to $1,500/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 46/100 and 41.9/100 in Norfolk versus 75/100 and 33.91/100 in Philadelphia.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Philadelphia, PA to Norfolk, VA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Pennsylvania in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 262 movers based in Virginia, handy for sizing up options on this 276-mile route.
Our take
The 276-mile move from Norfolk, VA, to Philadelphia, PA, costs between $970 and $5,681 with full-service movers, $835 - $2,559 with a moving container, and $318 - $736 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $1,518 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amtak and Comcast.
FAQs: Moving from Norfolk, VA, to Philadelphia, PA
What is the cheapest way to move from Norfolk, VA to Philadelphia, PA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $326 - $623. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Norfolk, VA to Philadelphia, PA?
Costs on this route range from around $318 to $5,681, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $970 and $5,681, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Norfolk?
Local movers based in Norfolk typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $89/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Philadelphia run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires moving companies that transport household goods within the state to obtain a license from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). Licenses are renewed every 1 to 2 years.
What percentage of Norfolk movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 44% of movers in Norfolk handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.