Dover, DE → Lancaster, PA · Short-haul move

Movers from Dover to Lancaster

About 87 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,450–$2,150, delivery in 1–2 days, 143 carriers on the Dover side and 260 in Lancaster.

87 miroad distance
2 h 12 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$1,450–$2,1502-bedroom estimate

Photo: Randolph Carney · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Route summary

From: Dover, Delaware
To: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Road distance: ≈ 87 miles (74 straight-line)
Drive time: 2 h 12 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 143 (103 interstate)
Movers at destination: 260 (171 interstate)

Reverse: Lancaster → Dover

The route from Dover, DE to Lancaster, PA covers roughly 87 miles by road, a northwest-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 2 h 12 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,450 and $2,150, before packing or storage.

On the Dover side there are 143 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (103 of them authorized for interstate work), and 260 around Lancaster (171 interstate). For an interstate 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.

Dover has a population of about 40,000 and Lancaster about 58,000. Lancaster is the denser city (8,031 people per square mile versus 1,654 in Dover), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Dover to Lancaster

Full-service estimate for 87 miles, by home size
Home size	Crew	Hours	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2 movers	3–5 h	$830	$1,010	$1,230
1 Bedroom	2 movers	4–6 h	$930	$1,140	$1,390
2 Bedrooms	3 movers	5–8 h	$1,450	$1,770	$2,150
3 Bedrooms	4 movers	7–10 h	$2,170	$2,640	$3,220
4+ Bedrooms	5 movers	9–13 h	$3,140	$3,840	$4,680

Rental truck (DIY)

$240–$340

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,100–$1,610

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$1,450–$2,150

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Dover, DE → Lancaster, PA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Dover (origin)

Em Way INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1934741
MC: 690698
Based in: Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 100 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (302) 450-3272 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tri-Coast Carriers LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1510668
MC: 566208
Based in: Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 66 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (713) 451-8884 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Jkb Corp

USDOT: 2546977
MC: 886752
Based in: Dover, DE 19901 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 24 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (302) 734-5017 Route Verify on FMCSA

Collett & Son Welding INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 872818
MC: 903323
Based in: Smyrna, DE 19977 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (302) 376-1830 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mom Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3876998
MC: 1421184
Based in: Dover, DE 19901 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (302) 264-0450 Route Verify on FMCSA

Benjamin Mast

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4262251
MC: 1653912
Based in: Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (302) 632-7389 Route Verify on FMCSA

A & D Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3100720
MC: 77314
Based in: Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (609) 816-6185 Route Verify on FMCSA

R Gill USA Corporation

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3621695
MC: 1237363
Based in: Smyrna, DE 19977 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (610) 477-5003 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 143 movers in Dover

Near Lancaster (destination)

Miller Dedicated Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2562869
MC: 894481
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 200 trucks, 200 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (609) 265-2511 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sunrise Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 276388
MC: 290856
Based in: Ephrata, PA 17522 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 128 trucks, 152 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (717) 721-2803 Route Verify on FMCSA

Falcon Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 168358
MC: 145282
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 120 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (717) 735-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pioneer Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 514795
MC: 197249
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 115 trucks, 100 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (717) 735-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Quaker Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 619559
MC: 287214
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 66 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (717) 735-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Snavely'S Mill INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 377174
MC: 302885
Based in: Lititz, PA 17543 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 39 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (717) 626-6256 Route Verify on FMCSA

Clark Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2040512
MC: 720073
Based in: Quarryville, PA 17566 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (717) 471-8623 Route Verify on FMCSA

Shawnee Trucking Pa INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1342517
MC: 515012
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 63 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (717) 684-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 260 movers in Lancaster

Related routes

Other destinations from Dover

Other origins to Lancaster

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Dover to Lancaster?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $830 to $1,230 for a studio, $930 to $1,390 for a one-bedroom, $1,450 to $2,150 for a two-bedroom, $2,170 to $3,220 for a three-bedroom and $3,140 to $4,680 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Lancaster from Dover?

About 87 road miles (74 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 12 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Delaware into Pennsylvania makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Dover to Lancaster?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $240 to $340 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,100 to $1,610. 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.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

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 Dover–Lancaster corridor.