Allentown, PA → Philadelphia, PA · Short-haul move
About 52 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,260–$1,870, delivery in 1–2 days, 424 carriers on the Allentown side and 1,658 in Philadelphia.
Moving from Allentown to Philadelphia is a short-haul move of roughly 52 road miles, heading southeast within Pennsylvania.
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 36 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,260 and $1,870, 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 1,658 around Philadelphia (1,138 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 Philadelphia.
Allentown has a population of about 126,044 and Philadelphia about 1.6 million. Philadelphia is the denser city (11,933 people per square mile versus 7,150 in Allentown), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $690 | $840 | $1,030 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $800 | $970 | $1,180 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,260 | $1,540 | $1,870 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $1,920 | $2,350 | $2,860 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $2,840 | $3,470 | $4,230 |
$200–$290
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,070–$1,570
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,260–$1,870
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Allentown, PA → Philadelphia, 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
Legal name: Finster Courier Incorporated
Legal name: Dream Transportation LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $690 to $1,030 for a studio, $800 to $1,180 for a one-bedroom, $1,260 to $1,870 for a two-bedroom, $1,920 to $2,860 for a three-bedroom and $2,840 to $4,230 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 52 road miles (44 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 1 h 36 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 Philadelphia 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 $200 to $290 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,070 to $1,570. 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–Philadelphia corridor.