Moving from Allentown, PA to Pittsburgh, PA
About 278 miles inside Pennsylvania. Past the 100-mile local band movers price on distance and weight, but because the truck never crosses a state line the move is regulated by Pennsylvania, not by the federal FMCSA. That changes which licence to check and which estimate rules protect you.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Allentown, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers about 278 miles and is a move within Pennsylvania. Full-service movers cost $1,251 – $1,668 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 324 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 278 miles, about 5 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $1,251 – $1,668. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Within Pennsylvania
- Driving
- about 5 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Allentown to Pittsburgh
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $938 – $1,251 | $676 – $901 | $450 – $600 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,126 – $1,501 | $811 – $1,081 | $540 – $721 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,251 – $1,668 | $901 – $1,201 | $600 – $801 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,439 – $1,918 | $1,036 – $1,381 | $691 – $921 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,626 – $2,168 | $1,171 – $1,561 | $781 – $1,041 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,877 – $2,502 | $1,351 – $1,801 | $901 – $1,201 |
Transport only, for an estimated 278 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Allentown to Pittsburgh
278 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,390. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $1,251 to $1,668, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Allentown to Pittsburgh
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 324 people a year (±144) moved from Lehigh County, PA, home to Allentown, to Allegheny County, PA, home to Pittsburgh. Going the other way: about 68 people a year (±62). Movers from Lehigh County make up 0.6% of the 50,394 people a year who moved into Allegheny County from another county or state.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Northampton County, PA | 4,467 ±690 |
| Philadelphia County, PA | 1,269 ±432 |
| Berks County, PA | 1,046 ±292 |
| Luzerne County, PA | 780 ±255 |
| Bucks County, PA | 642 ±305 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Westmoreland County, PA | 4,789 ±829 |
| Washington County, PA | 2,111 ±506 |
| Beaver County, PA | 1,781 ±585 |
| Butler County, PA | 1,373 ±310 |
| New York County, NY | 997 ±543 |
Licensed movers at each end
64 household-goods carriers are based within 30 miles of Allentown. 33 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 18.6% of their 86 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O'Briens Moving and StorageUSDOT 268267 | Allentown · 6 mi | 21 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Hughes Relocation Services IncUSDOT 110502 | Lansdale · 27 mi | 21 trucks | 5 | 50.0% of 2 |
| Reads Moving Systems IncUSDOT 113600 | Montgomeryville · 29 mi | 19 trucks | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Clemmer Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 85504 | Telford · 20 mi | 17 trucks | 24 | 8.3% of 12 |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk and MovingUSDOT 2579109 | Hatfield · 24 mi | 14 trucks | 5 | 0.0% of 3 |
| Frick Transfer IncUSDOT 110515 | Easton · 16 mi | 13 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 3 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Pittsburgh end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Pittsburgh: South Hills Movers Inc (Bethel Park, 42 trucks), Weleski Transfer Inc (Tarentum, 36 trucks), George Moving & Storage Inc (Freedom, 32 trucks), Parks Moving & Storage Inc (Warrendale, 31 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Both ends are in Pennsylvania, so Pennsylvania rather than the FMCSA regulates the move: ask the mover which Pennsylvania licence or registration it holds and check it with the state. The federal 110% cap on non-binding estimates does not reach a move inside Pennsylvania, so your protection on this 278-mile job is the estimate you sign; ask for it binding or not-to-exceed. More in binding vs non-binding estimates.
Before you book Allentown to Pittsburgh
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 278 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
Arriving in Pittsburgh
A local move inside Pittsburgh later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $495 – $817 for a two-bedroom home and $831 – $1,506 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Pittsburgh are Akron (about 106 mi), Cleveland (about 134 mi), Erie (about 136 mi).
Other routes from Allentown
All routes from Allentown, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown to Philadelphia, PA | ~56 mi | $495 – $817 |
| Allentown to Harrisburg, PA | ~91 mi | $495 – $817 |
| Allentown to Los Angeles, CA | ~2,763 mi | $12,434 – $16,578 |
Also moving to Pittsburgh: from Akron, OH, from Cleveland, OH, from Erie, PA, from Frederick, MD.
Allentown to Pittsburgh moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Allentown to Pittsburgh?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 278 miles cost about $938 – $1,251 for a studio, $1,251 – $1,668 for a two-bedroom home and $1,439 – $1,918 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Allentown to Pittsburgh take?
The drive is about 5 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Allentown to Pittsburgh?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $600 – $801 for a two-bedroom home, against $1,251 – $1,668 with full-service movers; a moving container is $901 – $1,201.
Is Allentown to Pittsburgh an interstate move?
No. Both cities are in Pennsylvania, so the move is regulated by Pennsylvania rather than by the federal FMCSA. The carrier needs a USDOT number and whatever Pennsylvania requires of household-goods movers; interstate authority (an MC number) is not required for this job. The federal 110% rule on non-binding estimates does not apply either, which is a good reason to ask for a binding estimate.
How many people move from Allentown to Pittsburgh each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 324 people a year (margin of error ±144) moved from Lehigh County, which contains Allentown, to Allegheny County, which contains Pittsburgh.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.