State College, PA → Lancaster, PA · Short-haul move
About 114 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,990–$2,960, delivery in 1–2 days, 104 carriers on the State College side and 260 in Lancaster.
Lancaster sits about 114 miles southeast of State College, 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 2 h 40 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,990 and $2,960, before packing or storage.
On the State College side there are 104 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (47 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.
State College has a population of about 40,000 and Lancaster about 58,000. The two cities have comparable density (8,847 and 8,031 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 | $1,230 | $1,500 | $1,830 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,230 | $1,500 | $1,830 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $1,990 | $2,430 | $2,960 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $3,180 | $3,880 | $4,740 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $4,380 | $5,340 | $6,510 |
$270–$380
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,120–$1,650
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,990–$2,960
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for State College, 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: Trotting Fox LLC
Legal name: David R Kerstetter
Legal name: Philip D McNeal Jr
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,230 to $1,830 for a studio, $1,230 to $1,830 for a one-bedroom, $1,990 to $2,960 for a two-bedroom, $3,180 to $4,740 for a three-bedroom and $4,380 to $6,510 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 114 road miles (97 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 40 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.
No. Because both State College 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 $270 to $380 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,120 to $1,650. 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 State College–Lancaster corridor.