Philadelphia, PA → Arlington, VA · Regional long-distance move
About 154 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,190–$3,250, delivery in 1–2 days, 1,658 carriers on the Philadelphia side and 1,290 in Arlington.
Moving from Philadelphia to Arlington is a regional long-distance move of roughly 154 road miles, heading southwest from Pennsylvania to Virginia.
At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $2,190 to $3,250 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 2 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 3 h 21 min.
On the Philadelphia side there are 1,658 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (1,138 of them authorized for interstate work), and 1,290 around Arlington (809 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 Arlington.
Philadelphia has a population of about 1.6 million and Arlington about 240,000. The two cities have comparable density (11,933 and 9,180 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,260 | $1,540 | $1,880 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,310 | $1,600 | $1,950 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,190 | $2,670 | $3,250 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $3,500 | $4,270 | $5,210 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $4,810 | $5,870 | $7,160 |
$310–$430
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,160–$1,700
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,190–$3,250
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Philadelphia, PA → Arlington, VA. 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: Finster Courier Incorporated
Legal name: Dream Transportation LLC
Legal name: Ritter Transport INC
Legal name: Geva Transportation LLC
Legal name: Michael Dancy
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,260 to $1,880 for a studio, $1,310 to $1,950 for a one-bedroom, $2,190 to $3,250 for a two-bedroom, $3,500 to $5,210 for a three-bedroom and $4,810 to $7,160 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 154 road miles (131 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 21 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 Pennsylvania into Virginia 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 $310 to $430 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,160 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.
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 Philadelphia–Arlington corridor.