($510+) Durham, NC to Tampa, FL Movers
Moving from Durham, NC, to Tampa, FL, runs anywhere from $536 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,401 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 675 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,460, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,401 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,126 - $3,318, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $536 - $1,471.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to Tampa, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,096 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 Tampa, FL
There are 3 main ways to move from Durham to Tampa: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,096 - $5,256. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 675-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 675-mile route from Durham to Tampa, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,460 - $4,029 | $1,126 - $1,962 | $536 - $953 | $975 - $1,749 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,096 - $5,256 | $1,376 - $2,692 | $561 - $1,109 | $1,069 - $2,067 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,623 - $7,401 | $1,879 - $3,318 | $708 - $1,471 | $1,399 - $2,879 |
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 Tampa, FL
Full-service movers for the 675-mile relocation from Durham, North Carolina, to Tampa, Florida, cost between $1,460 and $7,401. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $303 - $2,020, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Durham typically charge a base rate around $240 plus $122 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to Tampa:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,460 - $4,029
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,096 - $5,256
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,623 - $7,401
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 Tampa.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from North Carolina to Florida. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Durham, NC to Tampa, FL
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Durham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tampa, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $505 - $5,050 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $202 - $1,212/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $303 - $2,424 |
| 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 | $1,010 - $3,030 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,525 - $10,100 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $756 - $1,437 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $1,010 - $2,525 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $808 - $3,535 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers | $303 - $1,515 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $657 - $2,020 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $303 - $15,150+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $303 - $3,535+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Durham to Tampa?
Movers licensed to operate in Florida are typically members of the Professional Movers Association of Florida, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Durham, NC. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Durham, NC to Tampa, FL
Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to Tampa, Florida, cost between $1,126 and $3,318. 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 Tampa:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,126 - $1,962
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,376 - $2,692
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,879 - $3,318
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $76 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $152 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Tampa, FL, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $707 in Durham, NC. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina to Florida 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 $1,126. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,376 - $2,692, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Durham to Tampa?
- 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 Tampa, FL
Truck rentals from Durham, North Carolina, to Tampa, Florida, range from $536 - $1,471 for the 675-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $217 - $248
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 Tampa based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $536 - $953
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $561 - $1,109
- 4+ bedrooms: $708 - $1,471
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $536 - $1,471 when pricing out a rental truck from Durham to Tampa. Fuel alone runs ($217 - $248) , and overnight lodging ($152/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Durham, North Carolina, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $707.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $217 - $248 for the 675-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $61 and $328, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $152 per night for hotel stops on the 675-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $303 - $455.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Durham to Tampa?
- 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 Tampa, FL
If you're moving a larger household from Durham, North Carolina, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Tampa, Florida.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,069 and $2,067.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to Tampa:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $975 - $1,749
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,069 - $2,067
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,399 - $2,879
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $76 - $152 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Durham, North Carolina, for about five hours typically runs $707.
What are the best freight companies from Durham to Tampa?
- 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 are a great option when you need your belongings in Tampa fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Durham, NC vs Tampa, FL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Durham and Tampa to plan around. Cost of living index: 99 vs. 104. Average rent: $1,699/mo vs. $1,930/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 30 vs. 51. Safety index: 45.28 vs. 53.85.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tampa, FL to Durham, NC guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Florida in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 117 movers based in North Carolina, handy for sizing up options on this 675-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Durham, NC, to Tampa, FL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,460 for a studio to $7,401 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 675-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,126 - $3,318. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $536 - $1,471, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,096 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bloomin' Brands and Sykes Enterprises.
FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to Tampa, FL
What is the cheapest way to move from Durham, NC to Tampa, FL?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $561 - $1,109. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Tampa?
For families, Bayshore Beautiful, Bayshore Gardens, and Beach Park are worth a look in Tampa. If you're moving solo or without kids, Channel District, Courier City-Oscawana, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Durham, NC to Tampa, FL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What do local movers charge in Durham?
Local movers based in Durham typically start around $240 as a base rate, plus $122/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Tampa run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Durham, NC to Tampa, FL?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
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.