($305+) Virginia Beach, VA to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $302 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,130 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 $988, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,130 or more.
- Moving containers run $928 - $2,844, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $302 - $836.
- 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 $1,574 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
Moving options from Virginia Beach 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 $1,574 - $4,272 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 279 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
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 | $988 - $3,545 | $928 - $1,541 | $302 - $569 | $795 - $1,443 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,574 - $4,272 | $1,128 - $2,226 | $324 - $673 | $912 - $1,712 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,286 - $6,130 | $1,474 - $2,844 | $414 - $836 | $1,227 - $2,232 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Philadelphia, PA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 279-mile move from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with prices running from $988 - $6,130. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $314 - $2,092 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Virginia Beach and Philadelphia are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Virginia Beach movers tend to run around $183 as a base rate plus $97/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $988 - $3,545
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,574 - $4,272
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,286 - $6,130
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: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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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 movers22% 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?
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 Virginia Beach, VA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia with a local mover averages $1,574 - $4,272. 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 (4.56/5 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 $928 and $2,844. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Virginia Beach typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $928 - $1,541
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,128 - $2,226
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,474 - $2,844
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 Virginia Beach, VA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $732, 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 $78 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $157 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Virginia Beach, 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 $928. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,128 - $2,226, 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
- A Friendly & Affordable Mover (4.8/5), 28 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Renting a moving truck for the 279-mile move from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $302 and $836, before these typical add-ons:
- 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: $302 - $569
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $324 - $673
- 4+ bedrooms: $414 - $836
Pro tip: A rental truck from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $302 - $836. But once you factor in fuel ($93 - $106) , overnight lodging ($157/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $912 and $1,712.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $795 - $1,443
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $912 - $1,712
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,227 - $2,232
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Pennsylvania, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Virginia alone has 104 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 279-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Virginia Beach, VA, to Philadelphia, PA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $988 - $6,130 on the 279-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $928 - $2,844 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $302 - $836 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,574 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live 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.
