($1,429+) Durham, NC to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from Durham, NC, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $1,429 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,299 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,542 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,428, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,299 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,835 - $6,663, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,429 - $3,763.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,303 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 Durham, NC to Long Beach, CA
Moving options from Durham to Long Beach fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,303 - $7,299 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 26% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 56% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,542-mile route typically takes 7 to 21 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,542-mile route from Durham to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,428 for a studio up to $11,299 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,835 - $6,663 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,429 - $3,763, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,572 - $5,489, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Durham, NC to Long Beach, CA
Full-service movers for the 2,542-mile relocation from Durham, North Carolina, to Long Beach, California, cost between $2,428 and $11,299. 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 $373 - $2,484, 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 Durham typically charge a base rate around $240 plus $122 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,428 - $5,134
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,303 - $7,299
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,603 - $11,299
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 Durham to Long Beach.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Durham, NC to Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Durham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Long Beach, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $621 - $6,210 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $248 - $1,490/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $373 - $2,981 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $1,242 - $3,726 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,105 - $12,420 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $930 - $1,767 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $1,242 - $3,105 |
| Piano | Any piano type51% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $994 - $4,347 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $373 - $1,863 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $807 - $2,484 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $373 - $18,630+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $373 - $4,347+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Durham to Long Beach?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Durham, NC. 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 Durham, NC to Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,835 and $6,663. 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 Durham costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Durham to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,835 - $3,521
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,449 - $4,706
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,051 - $6,663
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $93 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $186 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 $869 in Durham, NC, 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 Long Beach, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina to California 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 $1,835. 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 $2,449 - $4,706.
What are the best moving containers Durham to Long Beach?
- 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 Durham 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 Durham:
- Athens Moving Experts (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 28 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.1/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Durham, NC to Long Beach, CA
Truck rentals from Durham, North Carolina, to Long Beach, California, range from $1,429 - $3,763 for the 2,542-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,005 - $1,148
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Durham daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Durham to Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,429 - $2,766
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,441 - $3,292
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,936 - $3,763
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,429 - $3,763 does not include fuel ($1,005 - $1,148), lodging ($186/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Durham to Long Beach 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 $186 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 Durham, North Carolina, usually costs about $869 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,542-mile drive falls between $1,005 and $1,148, 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 $62 and $373 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Durham to Long Beach?
- 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 Durham, NC to Long Beach, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Durham, North Carolina, to Long Beach, California. 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 $1,118 and $3,726.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,572 - $3,201
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,959 - $3,726
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,518 - $5,489
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $93 - $186 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 Durham, North Carolina, typically costs $869.
What are the best freight companies from Durham to Long Beach?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Durham to Long Beach. 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: Durham, NC vs Long Beach, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with Durham on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Durham, NC | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 99 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,699/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $355,053 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $79,234/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.5% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 30/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 45.28/100 | 41.42/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Long Beach, CA to Durham, NC guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 313 movers licensed in North Carolina, useful context for sizing up this 2,542-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Durham, NC, to Long Beach, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,428 for a studio to $11,299 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 2,542-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,835 - $6,663. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,429 - $3,763, 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 $3,303 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to Long Beach, CA
What is the cheapest way to move from Durham, NC to Long Beach, CA?
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 $1,441 - $3,292. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Long Beach?
For families, Bixby Village, Los Altos, and Wrigley Heights are worth a look in Long Beach. If you're moving solo or without kids, Belmont Shore, Recreation Park, and Carroll Park tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Durham, NC to Long Beach, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 Durham?
Local movers based in Durham typically start around $240 as a base rate, plus $122/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 Long Beach run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Durham, NC to Long Beach, CA?
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 percentage of Durham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 51% of movers in Durham handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.