Lancaster, PA → Paterson, NJ · Short-haul move

Movers from Lancaster to Paterson

About 150 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,280–$3,390, delivery in 1–2 days, 260 carriers on the Lancaster side and 2,164 in Paterson.

150 miroad distance
3 h 17 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,280–$3,3902-bedroom estimate

Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
To: Paterson, New Jersey
Road distance: ≈ 150 miles (128 straight-line)
Drive time: 3 h 17 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 260 (171 interstate)
Movers at destination: 2,164 (1,282 interstate)

Reverse: Paterson → Lancaster

Paterson sits about 150 miles northeast of Lancaster, which makes this an interstate relocation from Pennsylvania to New Jersey that most movers classify as a short-haul move.

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 17 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,280 and $3,390, before packing or storage.

On the Lancaster side there are 260 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (171 of them authorized for interstate work), and 2,164 around Paterson (1,282 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 Paterson.

Lancaster has a population of about 58,000 and Paterson about 161,793. Paterson is the denser city (19,016 people per square mile versus 8,031 in Lancaster), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. New Jersey is a higher-cost state than Pennsylvania, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.

Cost of moving from Lancaster to Paterson

Full-service estimate for 150 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,320	$1,610	$1,970
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,370	$1,670	$2,030
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,280	$2,780	$3,390
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,650	$4,450	$5,420
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,010	$6,110	$7,460

Rental truck (DIY)

$300–$430

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

Portable container

$1,150–$1,700

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

Full-service mover

$2,280–$3,390

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Lancaster, PA → Paterson, NJ. 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 Lancaster (origin)

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

Near Paterson (destination)

U T F Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1003565
MC: 825910
Based in: Bronx, NY 10454 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 348 trucks, 530 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (718) 928-1000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Z Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1466567
MC: 558123
Based in: Lincoln Park, NJ 07035 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 215 trucks, 195 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (855) 854-1400 Route Verify on FMCSA

Daybreak Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 288155
MC: 186214
Based in: Newark, NJ 07105 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 174 trucks, 176 drivers
USDOT registered: 1987

Call (973) 589-5931 Route Verify on FMCSA

Luna Logistics

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Venus Global Consulting

USDOT: 4498428
MC: 1779258
Based in: Newark, NJ 07105 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 114 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (201) 452-3179 Route Verify on FMCSA

Vpv Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2121392
MC: 739314
Based in: Kearny, NJ 07032 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 112 trucks, 107 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (973) 900-9250 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ironbound Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 674147
MC: 434921
Based in: Newark, NJ 07105 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 88 trucks, 79 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (973) 491-5151 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tv Series Production

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Dxo East Productions LLC

USDOT: 4307255
Based in: Yonkers, NY 10701 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 87 trucks, 180 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (207) 691-5114 Route Verify on FMCSA

Best Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 912877
MC: 472409
Based in: Port Newark, NJ 07114 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 84 trucks, 84 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (973) 465-5310 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 2,164 movers in Paterson

Tips for this move

Group fragile items and tell the crew which boxes go in the cab or on top.
For a move under about 150 miles you can often choose between an hourly and a flat rate—ask for both.
Confirm whether travel time between Lancaster and Paterson is billed one way or round trip.
A single-day move is realistic here; schedule loading in the morning so the crew arrives in Paterson with daylight to spare.

Near Lancaster

Near Paterson

Related routes

Other destinations from Lancaster

Other origins to Paterson

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,320 to $1,970 for a studio, $1,370 to $2,030 for a one-bedroom, $2,280 to $3,390 for a two-bedroom, $3,650 to $5,420 for a three-bedroom and $5,010 to $7,460 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Paterson from Lancaster?

About 150 road miles (128 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 17 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Pennsylvania into New Jersey 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 Lancaster to Paterson?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $300 to $430 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,150 to $1,700. 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 Lancaster–Paterson corridor.