Allentown, PA → Lancaster, PA · Short-haul move
About 68 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,340–$1,990, delivery in 1–2 days, 424 carriers on the Allentown side and 260 in Lancaster.
The route from Allentown, PA to Lancaster, PA covers roughly 68 miles by road, a southwest-bound trip that falls into the short-haul move category for pricing purposes.
Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 1 h 52 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,340 and $1,990, before packing or storage.
On the Allentown side there are 424 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (296 of them authorized for interstate work), and 260 around Lancaster (171 interstate). For an in-state move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Lancaster.
Allentown has a population of about 126,044 and Lancaster about 58,000. The two cities have comparable density (7,150 and 8,031 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $750 | $910 | $1,110 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $850 | $1,040 | $1,270 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,340 | $1,630 | $1,990 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $2,020 | $2,460 | $3,010 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $2,960 | $3,610 | $4,410 |
$220–$310
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,080–$1,590
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,340–$1,990
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Allentown, PA → Lancaster, PA. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Marine Transportation Intermodal INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $750 to $1,110 for a studio, $850 to $1,270 for a one-bedroom, $1,340 to $1,990 for a two-bedroom, $2,020 to $3,010 for a three-bedroom and $2,960 to $4,410 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 68 road miles (58 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 1 h 52 min.
For a move this short, loading and delivery normally happen on the same day. Most crews finish a two-bedroom home in 5 to 8 hours plus the drive.
No. Because both Allentown and Lancaster are in Pennsylvania, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $220 to $310 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,080 to $1,590. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.
Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Allentown–Lancaster corridor.