Moving in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County
Pittsburgh is a city of neighborhoods, hills, rivers, and bridges. Moving here is different from moving in a flat-grid city. Every neighborhood has its own character and its own access challenges. The narrow, steep streets of the South Side Slopes are nothing like the wide cul-de-sacs of the northern suburbs. A row house in Lawrenceville requires a different approach than a high-rise apartment in Oakland or a five-bedroom home in Fox Chapel. Our movers know these neighborhoods because they work in them every day.
Allegheny County has 130 municipalities outside the city, plus the city's own 90 neighborhoods. The housing stock includes everything from Victorian-era row houses to mid-century ranches to new-construction colonials. Our movers assess every property before move day, confirm truck access, plan furniture routes through the house, and bring the right equipment for the conditions. That level of preparation is what separates a good move from a bad one, especially in a market with as much variety as Pittsburgh.
Moving Services We Offer in Pittsburgh
Local Residential Moving
A local residential move in the Pittsburgh area covers Allegheny County and the surrounding counties within roughly 50 miles. Our movers load your furniture, boxes, and appliances onto the truck, transport them to your new address, and place everything in the rooms you choose - and we bring quilted moving pads, dollies, and straps to every job. When you would rather not handle the boxes yourself, our professional packing team brings boxes, paper, and tape and packs the house before the truck is loaded. Most local moves in the Pittsburgh area are completed in a single day, whether you are moving between neighborhoods, from the city out to the suburbs, or from the suburbs back into town.
Long-Distance and Interstate Moving
Pittsburgh sits at the junction of I-76, I-79, and I-376, with direct highway access east to Philadelphia, west to Ohio, north to Erie, and south to West Virginia, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike ties the city into the full interstate system. Central Van Lines coordinates long-distance and interstate relocations through our nationwide carrier network: your shipment is inventoried at pickup, tracked in transit, and delivered inside the window we set, with every move covered under our federal operating authority and carrier liability. When a vehicle needs to travel with your household, we also arrange auto transport on open and enclosed carriers. Pittsburgh to Morgantown, Columbus, Philadelphia, and the wider East Coast are all routes we run regularly.
Commercial and Office Moving
Pittsburgh sits at the junction of I-76, I-79, and I-376, with direct highway access east to Philadelphia, west to Ohio, north to Erie, and south to West Virginia, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike ties the city into the full interstate system. Central Van Lines coordinates long-distance and interstate relocations through our nationwide carrier network: your shipment is inventoried at pickup, tracked in transit, and delivered inside the window we set, with every move covered under our federal operating authority and carrier liability. When a vehicle needs to travel with your household, we also arrange auto transport on open and enclosed carriers. Pittsburgh to Morgantown, Columbus, Philadelphia, and the wider East Coast are all routes we run regularly.
Apartment & Senior Moving
Pittsburgh's apartments run from high-rises in Oakland and Downtown to walk-ups in Lawrenceville and the South Side and garden-style complexes out in the suburbs, and our movers handle units of every size. We coordinate with property management for elevator reservations, loading-zone access, and move-in and move-out scheduling, and furniture disassembly and reassembly are included when pieces need to come apart to clear tight doorways and stairwells - walk-ups without elevators are common here, so our crews carry stair-climbing equipment as standard. With Pitt, Carnegie Mellon, and Duquesne nearby, student and campus moves are a steady part of our apartment work. We also provide patient, right-paced senior moving services for residents downsizing or relocating into retirement communities.
Specialty, Piano & Fine Art Moving
Some belongings need more than a standard pad and strap. For antiques, gun safes, wine collections, and fine art, our specialty moving crews build custom crating and use heavy-duty rigging to move high-value and awkward pieces safely. Grand and upright piano moving is handled with piano boards and trained technique rather than guesswork. And when an item calls for the most careful possible handling - gallery pieces, heirlooms, sensitive instruments - our white-glove delivery service covers padded transport, precise placement, and debris removal at the destination.
Storage & Business Logistics
If your new home or business space is not ready on moving day, we hold your belongings in climate-controlled storage at our warehouse facilities - wrapped, padded, and sealed in secure vault containers for short-term or long-term needs, with delivery scheduled when you are ready. For business clients, those same warehouses support third-party logistics and warehousing, and our final-mile delivery teams handle receiving, staging, and scheduled delivery of inventory and equipment across the Pittsburgh region.
What Movers in Pittsburgh Run Into
Hills, Slopes, and Steep Driveways
Pittsburgh is built on hills. Many residential streets have grades that challenge a fully loaded moving truck. Driveways in neighborhoods like Mt. Washington, the South Side Slopes, and the hillside sections of the East End are steep, narrow, and sometimes accessible only by stairs from the street. Our movers assess every property before move day. When a full-size truck cannot reach the front door, we stage the truck on the nearest accessible street and shuttle loads with a smaller vehicle or by hand.
Narrow Streets and Limited Parking
Row-house neighborhoods like Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, and the South Side have narrow one-way streets with on-street parking on both sides. Securing a loading position close to the front door requires planning. Our movers arrive early to position the truck, and in some neighborhoods we reserve curbside space in advance.
Bridge and Tunnel Traffic
Pittsburgh's bridges and tunnels create bottlenecks during rush hours. Moves that cross the rivers or pass through the Fort Pitt or Squirrel Hill tunnels benefit from a morning start before the commuter traffic builds. Our movers plan routes and timing around these chokepoints.
Building Access in Oakland and Downtown
High-rise apartments and office buildings in Oakland and Downtown have specific move-in procedures: elevator reservations, loading dock scheduling, COI requirements, and restricted hours. Our movers handle all of this as part of the move plan. We coordinate with building management before move day so there are no surprises.
areas we serve
Pittsburgh Neighborhoods and Suburbs We Serve
Our Pittsburgh movers serve every neighborhood in the city and every suburb in Allegheny County. Below are the communities where we handle the most moves, organized by region. Each has its own page with local detail.
Allegheny County
The 130 municipalities surrounding Pittsburgh, from the North Hills to the South Hills and the Mon Valley to the western suburbs. Hillside homes, steep driveways, and split-level entries throughout. Movers in Allegheny County
Shadyside
The tree-lined streets between Walnut Street and Fifth Avenue, with a mix of apartments, condos, and Victorian homes. Movers in Shadyside
Squirrel Hill
A residential neighborhood east of Oakland with a mix of older homes, apartment buildings, and the Squirrel Hill Tunnel at its western edge. Movers in Squirrel Hill
Mt. Lebanon
One of the most established South Hills suburbs, with tree-lined streets, older homes, and a walkable uptown district. Movers in Mt. Lebanon
Bethel Park
A large South Hills suburb with a mix of mid-century ranches and newer construction. Movers in Bethel Park
Upper St. Clair
An affluent South Hills community with larger homes and well-maintained subdivisions. Movers in Upper St. Clair
Peters Township
A growing community in Washington County with newer developments and strong schools. Movers in Peters Township
South Fayette
A growing township in the southwestern suburbs along the I-79 corridor. Movers in South Fayette
Jefferson Hills
A residential community in the southeastern suburbs along Route 51. Movers in Jefferson Hills
Bridgeville
A small borough along Route 50 in the western South Hills with a mix of older and newer housing. Movers in Bridgeville
South Hills
The broader South Hills region covering the communities south of the tunnels. Movers in the South Hills
Heidelberg
A small borough in the South Hills with older row houses and detached homes. Movers in Heidelberg
McCandless
A large North Hills township with a mix of mid-century homes and newer development along McKnight Road. Movers in McCandless
North Hills
The broader North Hills region north of the city. Movers in the North Hills
Franklin Park
An affluent North Hills community with larger lots and newer construction. Movers in Franklin Park
Wexford
A growing community straddling Allegheny and Butler counties along Route 19. Movers in Wexford
Ohio Township
A residential township in the northwestern suburbs with a mix of housing types. Movers in Ohio Township
Allison Park
A community in Hampton Township in the North Hills with established neighborhoods. Movers in Allison Park
Gibsonia
A community in Richland Township with newer subdivisions and rural properties. Movers in Gibsonia
Bell Acres
A small, wooded residential borough in the northern suburbs. Movers in Bell Acres
Beaver County
Northwest of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River, covering Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, Monaca, and the surrounding boroughs and townships. Movers in Beaver County
Bradford Woods
A small residential borough near I-79 and the Cranberry Township border. Movers in Bradford Woods
Warrendale
A community along I-79 at the Allegheny-Butler county line near Cranberry. Movers in Warrendale
Moon Township.
Home to Robert Morris University and Pittsburgh International Airport, with a mix of residential and commercial development. Movers in Moon Township
Coraopolis
A small borough along the Ohio River near the airport with older housing and commercial properties. Movers in Coraopolis
Sewickley
A walkable riverfront borough with Victorian homes, boutique shops, and a compact downtown. Movers in Sewickley
Edgeworth
An affluent residential borough adjacent to Sewickley with larger homes and wooded lots. Movers in Edgeworth
Carnegie
A small borough along Route 50 west of the city with a mix of older housing and commercial streets. Movers in Carnegie
Monroeville
A large eastern suburb with a mix of residential neighborhoods and the Monroeville Mall commercial corridor. Movers in Monroeville
Murrysville
A residential community east of Monroeville with larger lots and a suburban character. Movers in Murrysville
Greensburg
The Westmoreland County seat, about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh along Route 30. Movers in Greensburg
Canonsburg
A borough along I-79 in Washington County with a mix of older downtown housing and newer suburban development. Movers in Canonsburg
McMurray
A community in Peters Township with newer homes and strong schools. Movers in McMurray
Houston
A small borough in Washington County along Route 19. Learn more about movers in Houston
Southpointe
The Southpointe business park and surrounding residential development in Cecil Township. Movers in Southpointe
Homer City
A small borough in Indiana County, about 50 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Movers in Homer City
Jackson Township
A township in Butler County along Route 19 between Cranberry and Zelienople. Movers in Jackson Township
Why Choose Central Van Lines for Your Pittsburgh Move
Central Van Lines is a family-owned company. Gene Papa took ownership in 1996, and the business has been in the family since 1968. We are the largest mover in West Virginia and one of the most experienced moving companies serving the Pittsburgh metro. As an Allied Van Lines agent, we connect to a nationwide network that handles moves in all 50 states and internationally.
Pittsburgh is our largest market. Our movers work in these neighborhoods every day, and that experience shows in how we plan and execute moves. We know which streets are too narrow for a 26-foot truck, which buildings require elevator reservations two weeks out, and which hillside driveways need a smaller vehicle. That local knowledge is what keeps your move on time and your belongings undamaged.
Reviews
What Pittsburgh Customers Say
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FAQ
Moving Company FAQs in Pittsburgh, PA
Do you have an office in Pittsburgh?
Yes. Pittsburgh is our primary western Pennsylvania office and our largest market.
How much does it cost to hire movers in Pittsburgh?
Pricing depends on the size of your home, the distance, and whether you need packing or storage. Call (800) 515-6210 or fill out the form on this page for a free estimate specific to your move.
Do you handle apartment moves in the city?
Yes. We handle apartment moves in every Pittsburgh neighborhood, including high-rises in Oakland and Downtown, walk-ups in the South Side and Lawrenceville, and complexes in the suburbs.
Can you move me from Pittsburgh to another state?
Yes. Pittsburgh sits at the junction of I-76, I-79, and I-376. We handle interstate moves to any state through our Allied Van Lines network.
Do you move on weekends?
Yes. Weekend and evening moves are available for both residential and commercial jobs.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Central Van Lines is fully licensed and insured under USDOT 1243887, with additional valuation options for higher-value items.
Get a Free Moving Quote in Pittsburgh, PA
Whether you are moving across the neighborhood or across the country, Central Van Lines is ready to handle it. Call (800) 515-6210 or fill out the form on this page to get a free estimate. We offer both in-home and virtual surveys so you can choose whichever fits your schedule.
