($905+) Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX

Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $934 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,881 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,515 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,164, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,881 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,431 - $4,903, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $934 - $2,789.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Wilmington, DE, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,774 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX

There are 3 main ways to move from Wilmington to Houston: 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 $2,774 - $6,496. 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 4 to 15 days for this 1,515-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 1,515-mile route from Wilmington to Houston, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,164 - $4,757 $1,431 - $2,710 $934 - $1,790 $1,366 - $2,438
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,774 - $6,496 $1,866 - $3,672 $980 - $2,261 $1,522 - $2,907
4+ bedrooms $4,920 - $8,881 $2,615 - $4,903 $1,311 - $2,789 $2,112 - $4,205

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX

Full-service movers for the 1,515-mile relocation from Wilmington, Delaware, to Houston, Texas, cost between $2,164 and $8,881. 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 $304 - $2,024, 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 Wilmington typically charge a base rate around $334 plus $150 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Wilmington to Houston:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,164 - $4,757
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,774 - $6,496
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,920 - $8,881

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 Wilmington to Houston.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Delaware to Texas. 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 Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX

Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Wilmington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Houston, 66% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing97% of local movers$506 - $5,060
Storage in transitNew place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$202 - $1,214/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$304 - $2,429
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs39% of local movers$1,012 - $3,036
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,530 - $10,120
Car shippingSecond vehicle$758 - $1,440
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items63% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC$1,012 - $2,530
PianoAny piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC$810 - $3,542
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers$304 - $1,518
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC$658 - $2,024
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$304 - $15,180+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$304 - $3,542+

What are the best full-service movers from Wilmington to Houston?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Wilmington, DE. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.

Moving container costs from Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX

Moving containers from Wilmington, Delaware, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,431 and $4,903. 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 Wilmington costs roughly $100/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Wilmington to Houston:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,431 - $2,710
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,866 - $3,672
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,615 - $4,903

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 Wilmington, DE, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $708, 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 $76 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $152 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Wilmington, DE, and Houston, TX, 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 Delaware to Texas 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 $1,431. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,866 - $3,672, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Wilmington to Houston?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington:

  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 12 years in business
  • Move Crew LLC (4.8/5), 0 years in business
  • Bayshore Transportation System, Inc. (4.5/5), 53 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX

Truck rentals from Wilmington, Delaware, to Houston, Texas, range from $934 - $2,789 for the 1,515-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $488 - $558
  • Daily insurance: $30/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Wilmington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Wilmington to Houston based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $934 - $1,790
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $980 - $2,261
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,311 - $2,789

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Wilmington to Houston starts at $934 - $2,789, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($488 - $558) , overnight lodging ($152/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $152 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 $66 and $329 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $488 - $558 in fuel for the 1,515-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $708 in Wilmington, Delaware, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Wilmington to Houston?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX

For larger DIY moves from Wilmington, Delaware, 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 Houston, Texas.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,522 and $2,907.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Wilmington to Houston:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,366 - $2,438
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,522 - $2,907
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,112 - $4,205

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 Wilmington, Delaware, for about five hours typically runs $708.

What are the best freight companies from Wilmington to Houston?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
  3. Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Wilmington to Houston. 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: Wilmington, DE vs Houston, TX

Good news for your budget: Houston isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Wilmington. Cost of living index runs 97 there against 104 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 74/100 and 32.68/100 here versus 47/100 and 36.5/100 there.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to Wilmington, DE guide.

Why book your mover through moveBuddha:

moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Delaware to Texas 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 9 movers based in Delaware, handy for sizing up options on this 1,515-mile route.

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Our take

A move from Wilmington, DE, to Houston, TX, 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 $2,164 - $8,881 on the 1,515-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,431 - $4,903, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $934 - $2,789. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,774 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 Houston tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and ample economic opportunity, though tropical storms and heat and humidity come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include H-E-B and Houston Methodist.

FAQs: Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Houston, TX

How much does it cost to move from Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX?

Costs on this route range from around $2,164 to $8,881, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,164 and $8,881, 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 size moving truck do I need for this route?

Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

What do local movers charge in Wilmington?

Local movers based in Wilmington typically start around $334 as a base rate, plus $150/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 Houston run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?

In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.

What are the best neighborhoods in Houston?

For families, Clear Lake City, Friendswood, and Kingwood are worth a look in Houston. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Greenway/Upper Kirby, and Montrose tend to be popular picks instead.

What percentage of Wilmington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 77% of movers in Wilmington handle piano moves, and 63% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.