($297+) Virginia Beach, VA to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $297 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,567 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 279 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 $878, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $5,567 or more.
- Moving containers run $886 - $2,689, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $297 - $798.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Virginia Beach, VA, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,413 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Philadelphia, PA
There are 3 main ways to move from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $1,413 - $4,247. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 4 days for this 279-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 279-mile route from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $878 - $3,350 | $886 - $1,576 | $297 - $549 | $775 - $1,324 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,413 - $4,247 | $1,142 - $2,104 | $326 - $656 | $835 - $1,684 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,119 - $5,567 | $1,378 - $2,689 | $387 - $798 | $1,171 - $2,131 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 6, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 279-mile move from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with costs ranging from $878 - $5,567. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $314 - $2,092. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Virginia Beach and Philadelphia. Local movers in Virginia Beach typically start around $183 as a base rate plus $97/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $878 - $3,350
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,413 - $4,247
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,119 - $5,567
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 Virginia Beach to Philadelphia.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Pennsylvania. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Virginia Beach, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Virginia Beach movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Philadelphia, 90% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $523 - $5,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $209 - $1,255/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $314 - $2,510 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage45% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $1,046 - $3,138 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,615 - $10,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $783 - $1,488 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $1,046 - $2,615 |
| Piano | Any piano type85% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $837 - $3,661 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $314 - $1,569 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: | $680 - $2,092 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $314 - $15,690+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $314 - $3,661+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia?
Movers licensed to operate in Pennsylvania are typically members of the Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 Virginia Beach, VA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia with a local mover averages $1,343 - $4,035. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Virginia Beach, 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 a local mover in Virginia Beach, based on our analysis of feedback from 258 customers, 79.8% of which is positive.
Address: 4007 Seaboard Ct #7, Portsmouth, VA, 23701 | Founded: 2017
Moving container costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $886 and $2,689. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Virginia Beach costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $886 - $1,576
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,142 - $2,104
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,378 - $2,689
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $78 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $157 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Philadelphia, PA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $732 in Virginia Beach, VA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $886. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,142 - $2,104, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 12 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
- Tidal Town Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Philadelphia, PA
A rental truck for this 279-mile move from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $297 and $798. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $93 - $106
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $297 - $549
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $326 - $656
- 4+ bedrooms: $387 - $798
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia starts at $297 - $798, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($93 - $106) , overnight lodging ($157/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
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 $78 and $366.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $157.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $93 and $106 for the 279-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 $732 for 2 movers in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Philadelphia, PA
For larger DIY moves from Virginia Beach, Virginia, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $835 and $1,684.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $775 - $1,324
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $835 - $1,684
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,171 - $2,131
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 Virginia Beach, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $732.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $78 and $157 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Virginia Beach 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.
- Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Philadelphia fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Virginia Beach, VA vs Philadelphia, PA
Virginia Beach and Philadelphia land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 105 in Virginia Beach and 104 in Philadelphia, and rent tracks closely too ($1,950/mo vs. $1,695/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (33 vs 75) and safety scores (58.0 vs 33.91) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Philadelphia, PA to Virginia Beach, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Virginia to Pennsylvania, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 104 movers in Virginia, so you have real options to compare for this 279-mile move.
Our take
The 279-mile move from Virginia Beach, VA, to Philadelphia, PA, costs between $878 and $5,567 with full-service movers, $886 - $2,689 with a moving container, and $297 - $798 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 $1,413 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 Virginia Beach, VA, to Philadelphia, PA
What do local movers charge in Virginia Beach?
Local movers based in Virginia Beach typically start around $183 as a base rate, plus $97/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 are the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia?
For families, Bella Vista, Bustleton, and Chestnut Hill are worth a look in Philadelphia. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cedar Park, Fishtown, and Manayunk tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a walkability score of 75 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 67, compared to 33 and 42 in Virginia Beach. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Philadelphia a safe place to live?
Philadelphia has a safety index of 33.91 out of 100 and a crime index of 66.09, compared to 58.0 and 42.0 in Virginia Beach. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Virginia Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 85% of movers in Virginia Beach handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
