Philadelphia, PA → Lancaster, PA · Short-haul move
About 73 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,360–$2,020, delivery in 1–2 days, 1,658 carriers on the Philadelphia side and 260 in Lancaster.
Lancaster sits about 73 miles west of Philadelphia, so this is an in-state move 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 1 h 58 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,360 and $2,020, before packing or storage.
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 260 around Lancaster (171 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 Lancaster.
Philadelphia has a population of about 1.6 million and Lancaster about 58,000. Philadelphia is considerably denser (11,933 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.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $760 | $930 | $1,140 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $870 | $1,060 | $1,290 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,360 | $1,660 | $2,020 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $2,050 | $2,500 | $3,050 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $3,000 | $3,650 | $4,460 |
$220–$320
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,090–$1,600
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,360–$2,020
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Philadelphia, PA → 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: Finster Courier Incorporated
Legal name: Dream Transportation LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $760 to $1,140 for a studio, $870 to $1,290 for a one-bedroom, $1,360 to $2,020 for a two-bedroom, $2,050 to $3,050 for a three-bedroom and $3,000 to $4,460 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 73 road miles (62 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 1 h 58 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 Philadelphia and Lancaster 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 $220 to $320 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,090 to $1,600. 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–Lancaster corridor.