($1,168+) Durham, NC to Tempe, AZ Movers
Moving from Durham, NC, to Tempe, AZ, runs anywhere from $1,168 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,793 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,153 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,273, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,793 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,706 - $6,224, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,168 - $3,599.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to Tempe, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,140 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Durham, NC to Tempe, AZ
Moving options from Durham to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,140 - $6,733 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 31% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 58% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,153-mile route typically takes 6 to 17 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,153-mile route from Durham to Tempe, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,273 - $5,278, container $1,706 - $3,062, rental truck $1,168 - $2,326, freight trailer $1,490 - $2,700.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,140 - $6,733, container $2,165 - $4,515, rental truck $1,330 - $2,938, freight trailer $1,715 - $3,507.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,769 - $10,793, container $3,000 - $6,224, rental truck $1,580 - $3,599, freight trailer $2,307 - $4,553.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Durham, NC to Tempe, AZ
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,153-mile move from Durham, North Carolina, to Tempe, Arizona, with prices running from $2,273 - $10,793. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $314 - $2,092 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Durham and Tempe are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Durham movers tend to run around $240 as a base rate plus $122/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,273 - $5,278
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,140 - $6,733
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,769 - $10,793
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 Tempe.
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 Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Durham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tempe, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $523 - $5,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $209 - $1,255/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $314 - $2,510 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $1,046 - $3,138 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,615 - $10,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $783 - $1,488 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $1,046 - $2,615 |
| Piano | Any piano type51% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $837 - $3,661 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $314 - $1,569 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $680 - $2,092 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $314 - $15,690+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $314 - $3,661+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Durham to Tempe?
Arizona Moving Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Arizona, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Durham, NC. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Durham, NC to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,706 and $6,224. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Durham runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Durham to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,706 - $3,062
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,165 - $4,515
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,000 - $6,224
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $78 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $157 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Tempe, AZ, 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 $732 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 Arizona 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 $1,706. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $2,165 - $4,515.
What are the best moving containers Durham to Tempe?
- 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:
- Athens Moving Experts (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 28 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.1/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Durham, NC to Tempe, AZ
Plan on $1,168 - $3,599 for a rental moving truck on the 2,153-mile route from Durham, North Carolina, to Tempe, Arizona. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $717 - $819
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- 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 Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,168 - $2,326
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,330 - $2,938
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,580 - $3,599
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,168 - $3,599 when pricing out a rental truck from Durham to Tempe. Fuel alone runs $717 - $819, and overnight lodging ($157/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $157 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $68 and $340 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $717 - $819 in fuel for the 2,153-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $732 in Durham, North Carolina, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Durham to Tempe?
- 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 Tempe, AZ
For larger DIY moves from Durham, North Carolina, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Tempe, Arizona.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,715 and $3,507.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,490 - $2,700
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,715 - $3,507
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,307 - $4,553
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $78 and $157.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Durham, North Carolina, for roughly five hours typically average $732.
What are the best freight companies from Durham to Tempe?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Durham to Tempe. 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 Tempe, AZ
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Durham and Tempe to plan around. Cost of living index: 99 vs. 113. Average rent: $1,699/mo vs. $1,834/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 30 vs. 54. Safety index: 45.28 vs. 57.64.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tempe, AZ to Durham, NC guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Arizona, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. North Carolina alone has 313 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,153-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Durham, NC, to Tempe, AZ, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,273 - $10,793 on the 2,153-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,706 - $6,224 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,168 - $3,599 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,140 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to Tempe, AZ
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Durham, NC to Tempe, AZ?
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.
Is Tempe a safe place to live?
Tempe has a safety index of 57.64 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.36, compared to 45.28 and 54.72 in Durham. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Tempe?
Tempe has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 75, 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.
What are the best neighborhoods in Tempe?
For families, Alta Mira, Dava-Lakeshore, and Meyer Park are worth a look in Tempe. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cyprus Southwest, Daley Park, and Kyrene-Superstition tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Arizona?
Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically.
What percentage of Durham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 51% of movers in Durham handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.