($771+) Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX Movers
Moving from Detroit, MI, to Dallas, TX, runs anywhere from $771 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,722 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,195 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 $2,277, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,722 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,264 - $4,365, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $771 - $2,109.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Detroit, MI, to Dallas, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,865 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 Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Detroit to Dallas: 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 $2,865 - $6,537. Containers cost roughly 44% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 71% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,195 miles, expect 2 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 1,195-mile route from Detroit to Dallas, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,277 - $5,274, container $1,264 - $2,298, rental truck $771 - $1,498, freight trailer $1,160 - $2,171.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,865 - $6,537, container $1,613 - $3,073, rental truck $817 - $1,765, freight trailer $1,252 - $2,536.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,610 - $8,722, container $2,183 - $4,365, rental truck $977 - $2,109, freight trailer $1,677 - $3,322.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX
Full-service movers for the 1,195-mile relocation from Detroit, Michigan, to Dallas, Texas, cost between $2,277 and $8,722. 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 $286 - $1,904, 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 Detroit typically charge a base rate around $248 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Detroit to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,277 - $5,274
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,865 - $6,537
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,610 - $8,722
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 Detroit to Dallas.
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 Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Detroit movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Dallas, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing81% of local movers | $476 - $4,760 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $190 - $1,142/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $286 - $2,285 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $952 - $2,856 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,380 - $9,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $713 - $1,355 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Powell Relocation Group (MI) | $952 - $2,380 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $762 - $3,332 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $286 - $1,428 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect15% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $619 - $1,904 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $286 - $14,280+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $286 - $3,332+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Detroit to Dallas?
All three below meet the standards set by the Southwest Movers Association, the group most Texas 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Detroit, MI. 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 Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX
Moving containers from Detroit, Michigan, to Dallas, Texas, cost between $1,264 and $4,365. 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 Detroit typically costs about $85/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Detroit to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,264 - $2,298
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,613 - $3,073
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,183 - $4,365
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 $143 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 $666 in Detroit, MI, 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 Dallas, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Michigan 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 $1,264. 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 $1,613 - $3,073.
What are the best moving containers Detroit to Dallas?
- 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 Detroit 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 Detroit:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 15 years in business
- O'Sullivan Moving & Storage CO. (4.3/5), 44 years in business
- Men on the Move (4.6/5), 34 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX
Plan on $771 - $2,109 for a rental moving truck on the 1,195-mile route from Detroit, Michigan, to Dallas, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $362 - $414
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Detroit daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Detroit to Dallas based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $771 - $1,498
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $817 - $1,765
- 4+ bedrooms: $977 - $2,109
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $771 - $2,109 does not include fuel ($362 - $414), lodging ($143/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Detroit to Dallas typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $143 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 Detroit, Michigan, usually costs about $666 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,195-mile drive falls between $362 and $414, 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 $48 and $286 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Detroit to Dallas?
- 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 Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Detroit, Michigan, to Dallas, Texas. 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 $857 and $2,536.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Detroit to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,160 - $2,171
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,252 - $2,536
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,677 - $3,322
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?
- 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 $71 - $143 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 Detroit, Michigan, typically costs $666.
What are the best freight companies from Detroit to Dallas?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Detroit to Dallas, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Detroit, MI vs Dallas, TX
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Detroit and Dallas to plan around. Cost of living index: 92 vs. 100. Average rent: $1,250/mo vs. $1,774/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 51 vs. 46. Safety index: 27.08 vs. 48.6.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Dallas, TX to Detroit, MI guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Michigan 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 151 movers based in Michigan, handy for sizing up options on this 1,195-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,195-mile route from Detroit, MI, to Dallas, TX, run $2,277 - $8,722 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,264 - $4,365, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $771 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,865, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Dallas tend to point to ample economic opportunity and fabulous weather, though high housing costs and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and American Airlines Group, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from Detroit, MI, to Dallas, TX
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX?
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. Texas 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 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($362 - $414), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $143/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Dallas?
Dallas has a walkability score of 46 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 51 and 52 in Detroit. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Detroit movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Detroit handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.