Elizabeth, NJ → Lancaster, PA · Short-haul move
About 140 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,240–$3,330, delivery in 1–2 days, 1,447 carriers on the Elizabeth side and 260 in Lancaster.
Moving from Elizabeth to Lancaster is a short-haul move of roughly 140 road miles, heading west from New Jersey to 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 3 h 7 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,240 and $3,330, before packing or storage.
On the Elizabeth side there are 1,447 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (881 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.
Elizabeth has a population of about 141,675 and Lancaster about 58,000. Elizabeth is considerably denser (11,162 people per square mile versus 8,031), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Pennsylvania than in New Jersey, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,320 | $1,610 | $1,970 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,340 | $1,640 | $2,000 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,240 | $2,730 | $3,330 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $3,580 | $4,370 | $5,330 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $4,930 | $6,010 | $7,330 |
$290–$410
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,140–$1,680
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,240–$3,330
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Elizabeth, NJ → 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: Piece Of Cake Moving + Storage LLC
Legal name: Maersk Logistics & Services USA INC
Legal name: Venus Global Consulting
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,320 to $1,970 for a studio, $1,340 to $2,000 for a one-bedroom, $2,240 to $3,330 for a two-bedroom, $3,580 to $5,330 for a three-bedroom and $4,930 to $7,330 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 140 road miles (119 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 7 min.
Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.
Yes. Crossing from New Jersey 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $290 to $410 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,140 to $1,680. 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 Elizabeth–Lancaster corridor.