Moving from Providence, RI to Philadelphia, PA
About 274 miles across a state line, from Rhode Island into Pennsylvania, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Providence, RI to Philadelphia, PA covers about 274 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $1,233 – $1,644 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 205 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 274 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 $1,233 – $1,644. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 5 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Providence to Philadelphia
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $925 – $1,233 | $666 – $888 | $444 – $592 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,110 – $1,480 | $799 – $1,065 | $533 – $710 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,233 – $1,644 | $888 – $1,184 | $592 – $789 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,418 – $1,891 | $1,021 – $1,361 | $681 – $907 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,603 – $2,137 | $1,154 – $1,539 | $769 – $1,026 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,850 – $2,466 | $1,332 – $1,776 | $888 – $1,184 |
Transport only, for an estimated 274 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, Providence to Philadelphia
274 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,370. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $1,233 to $1,644, 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 Providence to Philadelphia
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 205 people a year (±127) moved from Providence County, RI, home to Providence, to Philadelphia County, PA, home to Philadelphia. Going the other way: about 280 people a year (±240). Movers from Providence County make up 0.3% of the 67,261 people a year who moved into Philadelphia County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 850 people a year (±557) moving from Rhode Island to Pennsylvania and about 518 people a year (±349) from Pennsylvania to Rhode Island — a net gain for Pennsylvania of about 332 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Kent County, RI | 4,379 ±697 |
| Washington County, RI | 1,723 ±422 |
| Bristol County, MA | 1,705 ±550 |
| Middlesex County, MA | 1,009 ±372 |
| Newport County, RI | 956 ±388 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Montgomery County, PA | 6,964 ±711 |
| Delaware County, PA | 5,131 ±857 |
| Bucks County, PA | 4,654 ±928 |
| Camden County, NJ | 3,114 ±777 |
| Kings County, NY | 2,379 ±681 |
Licensed movers at each end
55 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Providence (79 counting those licensed only inside Rhode Island). 36 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 8.8% of their 57 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southcoast Moving Storage and Property Management LLCUSDOT 1651524 | New Bedford · 28 mi | 44 trucks | 23 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Gallo Moving & Storage LLCUSDOT 1420771 | Milford · 24 mi | 17 trucks | 9 | 0.0% of 3 |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of Rhode Island LLCUSDOT 2178203 | North Attleboro · 11 mi | 12 trucks | 12 | 0.0% of 6 |
| Sterling Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 631155 | Cranston · 7 mi | 11 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Marathon Moving Company IncUSDOT 943487 | Canton · 28 mi | 11 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Conlon Moving & Storage LLCUSDOT 3495121 | Seekonk · 5 mi | 9 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 3 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Philadelphia end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Philadelphia: Flower Transfer Logistics (Sewell, 134 trucks), Wayne Moving and Storage (West Chester, 28 trucks), ABC Pro Movers Inc (Philadelphia, 26 trucks), Hughes Relocation Services Inc (Lansdale, 21 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Rhode Island into Pennsylvania, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Providence to Philadelphia
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 274 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 Philadelphia
A local move inside Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia are Wilmington (about 29 mi), Allentown (about 56 mi), Dover (about 68 mi).
Other routes from Providence
All routes from Providence, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence to Warwick, RI | ~10 mi | $485 – $803 |
| Providence to Worcester, MA | ~42 mi | $485 – $803 |
| Providence to Boston, MA | ~48 mi | $485 – $803 |
| Providence to Hartford, CT | ~76 mi | $485 – $803 |
| Providence to Manchester, NH | ~94 mi | $485 – $803 |
| Providence to New Haven, CT | ~100 mi | $485 – $803 |
| Providence to Bridgeport, CT | ~119 mi | $536 – $714 |
| Providence to New York City, NY | ~181 mi | $815 – $1,086 |
Also moving to Philadelphia: from Wilmington, DE, from Allentown, PA, from Dover, DE, from Newark, NJ.
Providence to Philadelphia moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Providence to Philadelphia?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 274 miles cost about $925 – $1,233 for a studio, $1,233 – $1,644 for a two-bedroom home and $1,418 – $1,891 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Providence to Philadelphia 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 Providence to Philadelphia?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $592 – $789 for a two-bedroom home, against $1,233 – $1,644 with full-service movers; a moving container is $888 – $1,184.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Providence to Philadelphia?
Yes. Providence is in Rhode Island and Philadelphia is in Pennsylvania, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 55 listed movers within 30 miles of Providence hold it.
How many people move from Providence to Philadelphia each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 205 people a year (margin of error ±127) moved from Providence County, which contains Providence, to Philadelphia County, which contains Philadelphia.
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.