($292+) Arlington, VA to Durham, NC Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $292 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,922 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 255 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $951, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $5,922 or more.
- Moving containers run $836 - $2,635, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $292 - $766.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,567 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 Arlington, VA to Durham, NC
Moving options from Arlington to Durham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,567 - $4,191 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 255-mile route typically takes 1 to 4 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 255-mile route from Arlington to Durham, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $951 - $3,705 with full-service movers, $836 - $1,627 with a container, $292 - $577 with a rental truck, or $753 - $1,394 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,567 - $4,191 full-service, $1,080 - $2,213 by container, $326 - $631 by rental truck, or $909 - $1,736 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $1,953 - $5,922 full-service, $1,409 - $2,635 by container, $416 - $766 by rental truck, or $1,186 - $2,258 by freight.
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 Arlington, VA to Durham, NC
For the 255-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Durham, North Carolina, full-service movers cost between $951 and $5,922. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $414 - $2,760 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Arlington generally start around $200 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $951 - $3,705
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,567 - $4,191
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,953 - $5,922
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 Arlington to Durham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia 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: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Arlington, VA to Durham, NC
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Arlington 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 | $690 - $6,900 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $276 - $1,656/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $414 - $3,312 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage30% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,380 - $4,140 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,450 - $13,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,034 - $1,964 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items56% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,380 - $3,450 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,104 - $4,830 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $414 - $2,070 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $897 - $2,760 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $414 - $20,700+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $414 - $4,830+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington 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.
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Arlington, VA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Arlington to Durham with a local mover averages $1,614 - $4,316. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Arlington, VA can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
495 Movers, Inc (4.84/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Arlington, based on our analysis of feedback from 410 customers, 83.7% of which is positive.
Address: 640 Lofstrand Ln, Rockville, MD, 20850 | Founded: 2009
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Durham, NC
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $836 and $2,635. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Durham. If you go over that window, storage in Arlington adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $836 - $1,627
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,080 - $2,213
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,409 - $2,635
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $966 in Arlington, VA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $104 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $207 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Durham, NC, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia 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 $836. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,080 - $2,213, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Arlington 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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- My Pro Movers (5.0/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Durham, NC
Renting a moving truck for the 255-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Durham, North Carolina, costs between $292 and $766, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $112 - $128
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $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 Arlington to Durham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $292 - $577
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $326 - $631
- 4+ bedrooms: $416 - $766
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Arlington to Durham starts at $292 - $766, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($112 - $128) , overnight lodging ($207/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Arlington, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $966.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $112 - $128 for the 255-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 $83 and $449, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $207 per night for hotel stops on the 255-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $414 - $621.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington 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 Arlington, VA to Durham, NC
For larger DIY moves from Arlington, Virginia, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Durham, North Carolina.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $909 and $1,736.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $753 - $1,394
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $909 - $1,736
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,186 - $2,258
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 $104 - $207 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 Arlington, Virginia, typically costs $966.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington 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.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services 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: Arlington, VA 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 Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 99 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,699/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $355,053 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $79,234/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 4.5% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 30/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 45.28/100 |
| 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 Durham, NC to Arlington, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia 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. Virginia alone has 104 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 255-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 255-mile route from Arlington, VA, to Durham, NC, run $951 - $5,922 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $836 - $2,635, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $292 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,567, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
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 Arlington, VA, to Durham, NC
What do local movers charge in Arlington?
Local movers based in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $110/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.
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 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 walkable is Durham?
Durham has a walkability score of 30 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 38, compared to 71 and 72 in Arlington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 79.15 and 15.67 in Arlington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 56% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
