($832+) San Antonio, TX to Durham, NC Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $858 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,069 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,370 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 to 8 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 $2,358, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,069 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,377 - $4,961, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $858 - $2,430.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,846 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 San Antonio, TX to Durham, NC
There are 3 main ways to move from San Antonio to Durham: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,846 - $6,835. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,370 miles, expect 3 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,370-mile route from San Antonio to Durham, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,358 - $5,509 | $1,377 - $2,672 | $858 - $1,707 | $1,290 - $2,198 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,846 - $6,835 | $1,866 - $3,694 | $927 - $2,030 | $1,379 - $2,811 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,410 - $9,069 | $2,316 - $4,961 | $1,226 - $2,430 | $1,930 - $3,817 |
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 San Antonio, TX to Durham, NC
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,370-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to Durham, North Carolina, with costs ranging from $2,358 - $9,069. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $283 - $1,884. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Antonio and Durham. Local movers in San Antonio typically start around $192 as a base rate plus $96/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Antonio to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,358 - $5,509
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,846 - $6,835
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,410 - $9,069
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 San Antonio to Durham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas 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: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from San Antonio, TX to Durham, NC
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of San Antonio 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 packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $471 - $4,710 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $188 - $1,130/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $283 - $2,261 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $942 - $2,826 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,355 - $9,420 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $706 - $1,340 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $942 - $2,355 |
| Piano | Any piano type65% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $754 - $3,297 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling45% of local movers | $283 - $1,413 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect26% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $612 - $1,884 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $283 - $14,130+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $283 - $3,297+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to Durham?
All three below meet the standards set by the North Carolina Movers Association, the group most North Carolina movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in San Antonio, TX. 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 San Antonio, TX to Durham, NC
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $1,377 and $4,961. 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 San Antonio costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,377 - $2,672
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,866 - $3,694
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,316 - $4,961
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $71 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $141 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $659 in San Antonio, TX, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Durham, NC, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas 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 $1,377. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,866 - $3,694, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio to Durham?
- 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Swift Movers LLC (4.8/5), 15 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to Durham, NC
Renting a moving truck for the 1,370-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to Durham, North Carolina, costs between $858 and $2,430, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $411 - $469
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.19
| 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 San Antonio to Durham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $858 - $1,707
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $927 - $2,030
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,226 - $2,430
Pro tip: The base rate of $858 - $2,430 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from San Antonio to Durham. Fuel ($411 - $469) , lodging at around $141/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $141 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 $61 and $306 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $411 - $469 in fuel for the 1,370-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $659 in San Antonio, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio to Durham?
- 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 San Antonio, TX to Durham, NC
If you're moving a larger household from San Antonio, Texas, 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 Durham, North Carolina.
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 $1,379 and $2,811.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,290 - $2,198
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,379 - $2,811
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,930 - $3,817
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final 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 $71 - $141 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Antonio, Texas, for about five hours typically runs $659.
What are the best freight companies from San Antonio to Durham?
- 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.
- 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.
- Parkway Transport, Inc. (4.76/5 stars): Parkway Transport, Inc. 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: San Antonio, TX vs Durham, NC
Day-to-day costs in Durham are close to what you're used to in San Antonio: cost of living index of 99 versus 91, with average rent of $1,699/mo compared to $1,496/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 37/100 and 51.94/100 in San Antonio versus 30/100 and 45.28/100 in Durham.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Durham, NC to San Antonio, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Texas to North Carolina, 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 289 movers in Texas, so you have real options to compare for this 1,370-mile move.
Our take
A move from San Antonio, TX, to Durham, NC, 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 $2,358 - $9,069 on the 1,370-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,377 - $4,961, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $858 - $2,430. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,846 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 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 San Antonio, TX, to Durham, NC
How walkable is Durham?
Durham has a walkability score of 30 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 38, compared to 37 and 45 in San Antonio. 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 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 do I know a mover is licensed in North Carolina?
For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT).
What do local movers charge in San Antonio?
Local movers based in San Antonio typically start around $192 as a base rate, plus $96/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 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 percentage of San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 65% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
