($438+) Montgomery, AL to Durham, NC Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from Montgomery, AL to Durham, NC

Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $443 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,154 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 544 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 $1,384, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,154 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,035 - $3,370, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $443 - $1,223.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,322 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Montgomery, AL to Durham, NC

Moving options from Montgomery to Durham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,322 - $5,735 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 544-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 544-mile route from Montgomery to Durham, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,384 - $4,115 $1,035 - $1,768 $443 - $814 $868 - $1,560
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,322 - $5,735 $1,236 - $2,392 $473 - $975 $979 - $2,034
4+ bedrooms $4,036 - $8,154 $1,698 - $3,370 $619 - $1,223 $1,344 - $2,541

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 Montgomery, AL to Durham, NC

Hiring full-service movers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Durham, North Carolina, costs between $1,384 and $8,154. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 544-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $261 - $1,740, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Montgomery and Durham. For a rough baseline, movers based in Montgomery tend to start around $462 plus $133/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,384 - $4,115
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,322 - $5,735
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,036 - $8,154

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 Montgomery to Durham.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Alabama to North Carolina. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.

Don't see your company listed?

Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from Montgomery, AL to Durham, NC

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Durham, 86% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$435 - $4,350
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer$174 - $1,044/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$261 - $2,088
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage60% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers$870 - $2,610
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,175 - $8,700
Car shippingSecond vehicle$652 - $1,238
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer$870 - $2,175
PianoAny piano type80% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer$696 - $3,045
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling80% of local movers$261 - $1,305
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Motivated Movers, Inc.$566 - $1,740
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$261 - $13,050+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$261 - $3,045+

What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery to Durham?

North Carolina Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in North Carolina, on top of the picks below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Montgomery, AL. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.

Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to Durham, NC

Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $1,035 and $3,370. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Montgomery typically costs about $70/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Durham:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,035 - $1,768
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,236 - $2,392
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,698 - $3,370

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 Montgomery, AL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $609, 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 $65 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $131 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Montgomery, AL, and Durham, NC, 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 Alabama to North Carolina 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 $1,035. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,236 - $2,392, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Montgomery to Durham?

  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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery:

  • McCorquodale Transfer (5.0/5), 28 years in business
  • Motivated Movers, Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
  • Admiral Movers (4.8/5), 37 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Montgomery, AL to Durham, NC

A rental truck for this 544-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Durham, North Carolina, costs between $443 and $1,223. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $151 - $172
  • Daily insurance: $26/day
  • Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
  • Montgomery daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
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 Montgomery to Durham based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $443 - $814
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $473 - $975
  • 4+ bedrooms: $619 - $1,223

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $443 - $1,223 when pricing out a rental truck from Montgomery to Durham. Fuel alone runs ($151 - $172) , and overnight lodging ($131/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?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $131 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Montgomery, Alabama, usually costs about $609 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 544-mile drive falls between $151 and $172, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $44 and $261 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to Durham?

  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 Montgomery, AL to Durham, NC

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Montgomery, Alabama, to Durham, North Carolina, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $979 and $2,034.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $868 - $1,560
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $979 - $2,034
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,344 - $2,541

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 $65 - $131 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 Montgomery, Alabama, typically costs $609.

What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Durham?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
  3. MAF Expedited Bhm Express (4/5 stars): MAF Expedited Bhm Express is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.

Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: Montgomery, AL vs Durham, NC

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Durham, side by side with Montgomery on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Montgomery, AL Durham, NC
Cost of living index7999
Average rent$1,200/mo$1,699/mo
Median home value$146,265$355,053
Average income$55,687/yr$79,234/yr
Unemployment rate5.8%4.1%
State income taxUp to 5.0%Up to 4.5%
Walkability score26/10030/100
Safety index34.75/10045.28/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 Durham, NC to Montgomery, AL guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to North Carolina, 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. Alabama alone has 46 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 544-mile move like this one.

30%+
Save 30%+
Comparing movers before booking saves moveBuddha users more than 30% on average.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
Choose a moveBuddha Certified mover for added coverage plus dedicated support.
Dispute mediation
We provide dispute mediation if something goes wrong with a Certified mover.

Our take

For a move from Montgomery, AL, to Durham, NC, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,384 for a studio to $8,154 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 544-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,035 - $3,370. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $443 - $1,223, 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 $2,322 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Durham tend to point to low cost of living and quality education, though terrible traffic and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Duke University & Duke Univ. Health System and IBM.

FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Durham, NC

Is Durham a safe place to live?

Durham has a safety index of 45.28 out of 100 and a crime index of 54.72, compared to 34.75 and 65.25 in Montgomery. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What is the cheapest way to move from Montgomery, AL to Durham, NC?

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 $473 - $975. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What are the best neighborhoods in Durham?

For families, Treyburn, American Village/Arrowhead, and Willowhaven are worth a look in Durham. If you're moving solo or without kids, Golden Belt, Warehouse District, and City Center tend to be popular picks instead.

How long does a move from Montgomery, AL to Durham, NC 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 Montgomery?

Local movers based in Montgomery typically start around $462 as a base rate, plus $133/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 Durham run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

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

About 80% of movers in Montgomery handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.