($553+) Durham, NC to St. Louis, MO Movers
Moving from Durham, NC, to St. Louis, MO, runs anywhere from $605 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,191 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 797 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,666, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,191 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,129 - $3,719, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $605 - $1,548.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to St. Louis, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,368 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Durham, NC to St. Louis, MO
Moving options from Durham to St. Louis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,368 - $5,459 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 797-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 797-mile route from Durham to St. Louis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,666 - $4,230 | $1,129 - $2,057 | $605 - $1,064 | $1,056 - $1,870 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,368 - $5,459 | $1,393 - $2,937 | $611 - $1,263 | $1,184 - $2,282 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,700 - $8,191 | $1,984 - $3,719 | $787 - $1,548 | $1,541 - $2,916 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Durham, NC to St. Louis, MO
For the 797-mile move from Durham, North Carolina, to St. Louis, Missouri, full-service movers cost between $1,666 and $8,191. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $279 - $1,860 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Durham generally start around $240 plus $122 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,666 - $4,230
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,368 - $5,459
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,700 - $8,191
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Durham to St. Louis.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from North Carolina to Missouri. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Durham, NC to St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Durham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In St. Louis, 86% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $465 - $4,650 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $186 - $1,116/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $279 - $2,232 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $930 - $2,790 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,325 - $9,300 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $697 - $1,323 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $930 - $2,325 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $744 - $3,255 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers | $279 - $1,395 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $605 - $1,860 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $279 - $13,950+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $279 - $3,255+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Durham to St. Louis?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Durham, NC, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Durham, NC to St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,129 and $3,719. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Durham costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Durham to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,129 - $2,057
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,393 - $2,937
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,984 - $3,719
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Durham, NC, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $651, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $70 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $140 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Durham, NC, and St. Louis, MO, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina to Missouri move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,129. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,393 - $2,937, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Durham to St. Louis?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Durham to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Durham:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 28 years in business
- Truckin' Movers Corporation (4.9/5), 49 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.1/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Durham, NC to St. Louis, MO
Plan on $605 - $1,548 for a rental moving truck on the 797-mile route from Durham, North Carolina, to St. Louis, Missouri. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $236 - $270
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Durham daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.89
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Durham to St. Louis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $605 - $1,064
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $611 - $1,263
- 4+ bedrooms: $787 - $1,548
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $605 - $1,548 does not include fuel ($236 - $270) , lodging ($140/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Durham to St. Louis typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $236 - $270 for the 797-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Durham, North Carolina, for about 5 hours typically costs around $651.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 797-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $140 per night, adding $279 - $419 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $47 and $279.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Durham to St. Louis?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Durham, NC to St. Louis, MO
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Durham, North Carolina, to St. Louis, Missouri. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $837 and $2,282.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,056 - $1,870
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,184 - $2,282
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,541 - $2,916
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $70 - $140 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Durham, North Carolina, typically costs $651.
What are the best freight companies from Durham to St. Louis?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Durham to St. Louis. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Durham, NC vs St. Louis, MO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Louis, side by side with Durham on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Durham, NC | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 99 | 84 |
| Average rent | $1,699/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $355,053 | $180,206 |
| Average income | $79,234/yr | $55,279/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 6.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.5% | Up to 4.8% |
| Walkability score | 30/100 | 66/100 |
| Safety index | 45.28/100 | 30.35/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Louis, MO to Durham, NC guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from North Carolina to Missouri, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 117 movers in North Carolina, so you have real options to compare for this 797-mile move.
Our take
A move from Durham, NC, to St. Louis, MO, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,666 - $8,191 on the 797-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,129 - $3,719, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $605 - $1,548. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,368 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to St. Louis tend to point to rich culture and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though poor education and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include BJC HealthCare and Walmart.
FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to St. Louis, MO
What is the best time of year to move from Durham, NC to St. Louis, MO?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Missouri?
Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($236 - $270), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $140/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is St. Louis?
St. Louis has a walkability score of 66 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 58, compared to 30 and 38 in Durham. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Durham, NC to St. Louis, MO?
Costs on this route range from around $1,666 to $8,191, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,666 and $8,191, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What percentage of Durham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in Durham handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.