($520+) St. Petersburg, FL to Durham, NC Movers
Moving from St. Petersburg, FL, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $546 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,085 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 697 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,355, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,085 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,062 - $3,528, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $546 - $1,442.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Petersburg, FL, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,006 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from St. Petersburg, FL to Durham, NC
Moving options from St. Petersburg to Durham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,006 - $5,030 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 697-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 697-mile route from St. Petersburg to Durham, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,355 - $3,777, container $1,062 - $1,943, rental truck $546 - $934, freight trailer $975 - $1,714.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,006 - $5,030, container $1,404 - $2,584, rental truck $578 - $1,133, freight trailer $1,080 - $2,046.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,754 - $7,085, container $1,750 - $3,528, rental truck $679 - $1,442, freight trailer $1,503 - $2,879.
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 St. Petersburg, FL to Durham, NC
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 697-mile move from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Durham, North Carolina, with prices running from $1,355 - $7,085. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $304 - $2,028 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between St. Petersburg and Durham are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, St. Petersburg movers tend to run around $318 as a base rate plus $185/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Petersburg to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,355 - $3,777
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,006 - $5,030
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,754 - $7,085
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 St. Petersburg to Durham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Florida 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: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from St. Petersburg, FL to Durham, NC
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of St. Petersburg 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 packing98% of local movers | $507 - $5,070 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $203 - $1,217/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $304 - $2,434 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage31% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $1,014 - $3,042 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,535 - $10,140 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $759 - $1,443 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $1,014 - $2,535 |
| Piano | Any piano type74% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $811 - $3,549 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $304 - $1,521 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect31% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Big Man's Moving Company, LLC | $659 - $2,028 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $304 - $15,210+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $304 - $3,549+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Petersburg 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in St. Petersburg, FL. 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Durham, NC
Moving containers from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $1,062 and $3,528. 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 St. Petersburg typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Petersburg to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,062 - $1,943
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,404 - $2,584
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,750 - $3,528
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $76 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $152 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 $710 in St. Petersburg, FL, 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 Durham, NC, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Florida 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 $1,062. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,404 - $2,584, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg:
- Big Man's Moving Company, LLC (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- 2 College Brothers Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Petersburg, FL to Durham, NC
Truck rentals from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Durham, North Carolina, range from $546 - $1,442 for the 697-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $225 - $257
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- St. Petersburg daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 St. Petersburg to Durham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $546 - $934
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $578 - $1,133
- 4+ bedrooms: $679 - $1,442
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $546 - $1,442 does not include fuel ($225 - $257) , lodging ($152/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from St. Petersburg to Durham typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $152 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 St. Petersburg, Florida, usually costs about $710 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 697-mile drive falls between $225 and $257, 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 $51 and $304 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Durham, NC
For larger DIY moves from St. Petersburg, Florida, 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 $1,080 and $2,046.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Petersburg to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $975 - $1,714
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,080 - $2,046
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,503 - $2,879
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 $76 - $152 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 St. Petersburg, Florida, typically costs $710.
What are the best freight companies from St. Petersburg to Durham?
- 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.
- Quality Carriers (4.42/5 stars): Quality Carriers is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can 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: St. Petersburg, FL vs Durham, NC
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between St. Petersburg and Durham to plan around. Cost of living index: 103 vs. 99. Average rent: $2,075/mo vs. $1,699/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 43 vs. 30. Safety index: 60.46 vs. 45.28.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Durham, NC to St. Petersburg, FL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Florida 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. Florida alone has 229 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 697-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from St. Petersburg, FL, to Durham, NC, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,355 - $7,085 on the 697-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,062 - $3,528 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $546 - $1,442 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,006 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 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 St. Petersburg, FL, to Durham, NC
How walkable is Durham?
Durham has a walkability score of 30 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 38, compared to 43 and 59 in St. Petersburg. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 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 do local movers charge in St. Petersburg?
Local movers based in St. Petersburg typically start around $318 as a base rate, plus $185/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.
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of St. Petersburg movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 74% of movers in St. Petersburg handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
