Moving from DC to Philadelphia, PA
Washington, DC → Philadelphia · cost, distance and planning
Your planning guide for a long-distance move from DC, Maryland or Virginia to Philadelphia: cost, road miles and delivery timing.
Photo: Mefman00 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer: Philadelphia, PA is about 136 road miles from Washington, DC (about 2 hours of driving). A studio or 1-bedroom move from DC, Bethesda, Rockville or Northern Virginia to Philadelphia is a ballpark $1,650–$2,300 with Next Generation Movers, and a household move usually has a delivery window of roughly 1–3 days. The main thing to plan on this route: rowhouse stairs and narrow streets; parking.
Route facts
| Distance | About 136 road miles from Washington, DC |
|---|---|
| Drive time | About 2 hours without stops |
| Typical delivery window | Roughly 1–3 days after pickup (your written estimate sets the exact window) |
| Origins we serve | Washington, DC; Montgomery County, MD (Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring); Northern Virginia |
| Main thing to plan | Rowhouse stairs and narrow streets; parking |
Ballpark prices: DC area to Philadelphia
| Home size | Typical volume | Ballpark range |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or 1 bedroom | about 450 cu ft | $1,650–$2,300 |
| 2 bedrooms | about 750 cu ft | $2,550–$3,500 |
| 3 bedrooms | about 1,100 cu ft | $3,500–$4,900 |
| 4+ bedrooms | about 1,500 cu ft and up | $4,500–$6,200 |
These are ballpark ranges from our own pricing, not a binding or non-binding estimate. They include line haul, fuel and standard origin and destination service. They do not include packing, stairs, long carries, a shuttle truck, storage or specialty items like pianos. Your price is confirmed in a written estimate after a free in-home or video survey.
How this route differs
Philadelphia is the shortest route on this list, but rowhouses and narrow streets can make the move take longer than the drive.
Access and building rules in Philadelphia
- Many Philadelphia rowhouses have narrow, steep stairs. Large furniture may need to go through a window or be taken apart.
- Narrow streets in Center City, Fishtown and South Philly make parking a truck hard.
- Tell the estimator about stairs and the street width.
Timing and season
Summer and end-of-month dates are busiest. University move-ins in late August are also busy.
If your new home is not ready when the truck arrives, ask about storage-in-transit. Set lease and closing dates by the end of the delivery window, not the first day.
Tips for a DC to Philadelphia move
- Measure stairs and doors before the move.
- Ask about temporary no-parking signs for your street.
- Same-day delivery may be possible because of the short distance.
What changes the price
- Volume (cubic feet) after you declutter
- Full packing and unpacking
- Stairs, long walks and elevators
- A shuttle truck when a large truck cannot reach the home
- Storage-in-transit
- Specialty items like pianos, safes and motorcycles
- Guaranteed delivery dates (optional)
See how to read a long-distance moving estimate.
Licensed interstate mover
Next Generation Movers, Rockville, MD. USDOT 3764697 · MC 1341637. Check any mover on FMCSA Protect Your Move and Search for a Registered Mover.
Frequently asked questions
Can a DC to Philadelphia move be done in one day?
Often yes, because the drive is under 3 hours. It depends on the size of the move and access at both ends.
Will my sofa fit in a Philadelphia rowhouse?
Measure the stairs, turns and doors. Some furniture must be taken apart or hoisted. Tell us at the survey.
How much does it cost to move from DC to Philadelphia?
Our ballpark range for a studio or 1-bedroom move from the DC area to Philadelphia is $1,650–$2,300, and $2,550–$3,500 for 2 bedrooms. These are estimates from our own pricing, not a binding price. Your written estimate after a free survey confirms the price.
How long is the delivery window from DC to Philadelphia?
The drive is about 2 hours (136 road miles). For a household move, plan for a delivery window of roughly 1–3 days after pickup. Your written estimate states the exact window.
Is Next Generation Movers licensed for interstate moves?
Yes. Next Generation Movers is registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation: USDOT 3764697, MC 1341637. You can check this on the FMCSA website.
Get your ballpark quote
Request an estimate, call our voice line at (240) 905-4429 for an instant ballpark quote, 24/7, or our office line at (240) 422-2243.
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