($1,575+) San Francisco, CA to Durham, NC Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Durham, NC ranges from $1,483 to $12,853, with an average cost of $4,950. Moves can be as low as $1,575 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,828 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Durham, NC
Moving options from San Francisco to Durham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,483 - $12,853 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,950, and movers handle 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 particular route covers 2,828 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,828-mile route from San Francisco to Durham, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,483 - $6,614, container $1,941 - $3,899, rental truck $1,624 - $3,118, freight trailer $1,802 - $3,404.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $4,174 - $8,295, container $2,624 - $5,819, rental truck $1,830 - $3,902, freight trailer $2,014 - $4,389.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $7,615 - $12,853, container $3,768 - $7,260, rental truck $2,134 - $4,558, freight trailer $2,868 - $5,990.
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 Francisco, CA to Durham, NC
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,828-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Durham, North Carolina, with costs ranging from $1,483 - $12,853. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $560 - $3,732. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Francisco and Durham. Local movers in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,483 - $6,614
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,174 - $8,295
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,615 - $12,853
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 Francisco to Durham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California 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 Francisco, CA to Durham, NC
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco 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 | $933 - $9,330 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $373 - $2,239/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $560 - $4,478 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,866 - $5,598 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,665 - $18,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,398 - $2,655 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,866 - $4,665 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,493 - $6,531 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $560 - $2,799 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage | $1,213 - $3,732 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $560 - $27,990+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $560 - $6,531+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in San Francisco, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Durham, NC
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $1,941 and $7,260. 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 San Francisco typically costs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,941 - $3,899
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,624 - $5,819
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,768 - $7,260
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both San Francisco, CA and Durham, NC. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $1,306 in San Francisco, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $140 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $280 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California 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 $1,941. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,624 - $5,819, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco 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 Francisco 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 Francisco:
- Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business
- Dependable Movers, LLC (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- Johnson & Daly Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 47 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Durham, NC
Plan on $1,624 - $4,558 for a rental moving truck on the 2,828-mile route from San Francisco, California, to Durham, North Carolina. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,679 - $1,919
- Daily insurance: $56/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $37
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| 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 Francisco to Durham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,624 - $3,118
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,830 - $3,902
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,134 - $4,558
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,624 - $4,558 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from San Francisco to Durham. Fuel ($1,679 - $1,919) , lodging at around $280/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 San Francisco, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,306.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,679 - $1,919 for the 2,828-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 $112 and $606, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $280 per night for hotel stops on the 2,828-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $560 - $840.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA to Durham, NC
If you're moving a larger household from San Francisco, California, 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 $2,014 and $4,389.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,802 - $3,404
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,014 - $4,389
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,868 - $5,990
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 $140 - $280 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,306.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco 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.
- PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Francisco to Durham. 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: San Francisco, CA 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 San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 99 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,699/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $355,053 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $79,234/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.5% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 30/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 45.28/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 San Francisco, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to North Carolina over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,828-mile move.
Our take
A move from San Francisco, CA, 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 $1,483 - $12,853 on the 2,828-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,941 - $7,260, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,624 - $4,558. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $4,174 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 Francisco, CA, to Durham, NC
What do local movers charge in San Francisco?
Local movers based in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate, plus $150/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 long does a move from San Francisco, CA 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 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Francisco, CA 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 $1,830 - $3,902. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 38.59 and 61.41 in San Francisco. 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 San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
