($759+) Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC Movers
Moving from Tulsa, OK, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $728 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,535 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,139 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 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 $2,191, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,535 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,212 - $4,562, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $728 - $1,986.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tulsa, OK, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,671 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 Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC
There are 3 main ways to move from Tulsa to Durham: 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 $2,671 - $6,582. 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 2 to 8 days for this 1,139-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 1,139-mile route from Tulsa to Durham, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,191 - $5,185 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,212 - $2,408), rental truck ($728 - $1,415), or freight trailer ($1,206 - $2,231). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,671 - $6,582 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,535.
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 Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,139-mile move from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Durham, North Carolina, with costs ranging from $2,191 - $8,535. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $272 - $1,812. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Tulsa and Durham. Local movers in Tulsa typically start around $225 as a base rate plus $90/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tulsa to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,191 - $5,185
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,671 - $6,582
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,952 - $8,535
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 Tulsa to Durham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Oklahoma 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: 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 Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Tulsa 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 | $453 - $4,530 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $181 - $1,087/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $272 - $2,174 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $906 - $2,718 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,265 - $9,060 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $679 - $1,289 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items75% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $906 - $2,265 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $725 - $3,171 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling25% of local movers | $272 - $1,359 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Bigger Better Movers | $589 - $1,812 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $272 - $13,590+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $272 - $3,171+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tulsa to Durham?
Movers licensed to operate in North Carolina are typically members of the North Carolina Movers Association, 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 Tulsa, OK. 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 Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC
Moving containers from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $1,212 and $4,562. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Tulsa typically runs around $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tulsa to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,212 - $2,408
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,709 - $3,353
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,266 - $4,562
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $68 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $136 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Durham, NC, 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 $634 in Tulsa, OK. 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 Oklahoma 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 $1,212. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,709 - $3,353, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Tulsa 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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.3/5), 32 years in business
- 2 Fellas & A Big Vehicle Moving Company (4.3/5), 30 years in business
- Bigger Better Movers (4.8/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC
Truck rentals from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Durham, North Carolina, range from $728 - $1,986 for the 1,139-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $328 - $375
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Tulsa daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Tulsa to Durham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $728 - $1,415
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $819 - $1,786
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,040 - $1,986
Pro tip: The base rate of $728 - $1,986 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Tulsa to Durham. Fuel ($328 - $375) , lodging at around $136/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $634.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $328 - $375 for the 1,139-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 $54 and $294, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $136 per night for hotel stops on the 1,139-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $272 - $408.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tulsa 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 Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Durham, North Carolina. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $815 and $2,551.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tulsa to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,206 - $2,231
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,341 - $2,551
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,778 - $3,372
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $634.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $68 - $136 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Tulsa to Durham?
- 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.
- Melton Truck Lines, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): Melton Truck Lines, 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 Durham 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: Tulsa, OK vs Durham, NC
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Tulsa and Durham to plan around. Cost of living index: 85 vs. 99. Average rent: $1,199/mo vs. $1,699/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 39 vs. 30. Safety index: 48.06 vs. 45.28.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Durham, NC to Tulsa, OK guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Oklahoma 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 32 movers in Oklahoma, so you have real options to compare for this 1,139-mile move.
Our take
The 1,139-mile move from Tulsa, OK, to Durham, NC, costs between $2,191 and $8,535 with full-service movers, $1,212 - $4,562 with a moving container, and $728 - $1,986 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,671 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 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 Tulsa, OK, to Durham, NC
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC?
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 is the best time of year to move from Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. North Carolina also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How long does a move from Tulsa, OK 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($328 - $375), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $136/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Tulsa, OK 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 $819 - $1,786. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Tulsa movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Tulsa handle piano moves, and 75% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
