($776+) Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX Movers
Moving from Detroit, MI, to Dallas, TX, runs anywhere from $808 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,321 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,222, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,321 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,285 - $4,306, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $808 - $2,102.
- 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 $3,031 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 handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,031 - $6,643. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,195-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
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:
- Full-service movers: $2,222 for a studio up to $9,321 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,285 - $4,306 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $808 - $2,102, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,215 - $3,445, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX
For the 1,195-mile move from Detroit, Michigan, to Dallas, Texas, full-service movers cost between $2,222 and $9,321. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $286 - $1,904 (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 Detroit generally start 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: $2,222 - $5,525
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,031 - $6,643
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,977 - $9,321
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Michigan to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Detroit movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Dallas, 94% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $476 - $4,760 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% 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 coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% 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 items22% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Royal Movers Enterprises, LLC | $952 - $2,380 |
| Piano | Any piano type59% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: O'Sullivan Moving & Storage CO. | $762 - $3,332 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $286 - $1,428 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: White Star Movers, Inc. | $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?
Movers licensed to operate in Texas are typically members of the Southwest 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 Detroit, MI. 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 Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX
Moving containers from Detroit, Michigan, to Dallas, Texas, cost between $1,285 and $4,306. 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 Detroit costs roughly $85/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Detroit to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,285 - $2,335
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,740 - $3,220
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,287 - $4,306
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Detroit, MI and Dallas, TX. 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 $666 in Detroit, MI, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $71 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $143 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 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 $1,285. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,740 - $3,220, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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
- Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 42 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX
Truck rentals from Detroit, Michigan, to Dallas, Texas, range from $808 - $2,102 for the 1,195-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- 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: $808 - $1,569
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $881 - $1,724
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,076 - $2,102
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Detroit to Dallas starts at $808 - $2,102, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($362 - $414) , overnight lodging ($143/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $362 - $414 for the 1,195-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Detroit, Michigan, for about 5 hours typically costs around $666.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,195-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $143 per night, adding $286 - $428 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $48 and $286.
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
For larger DIY moves from Detroit, Michigan, 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 Dallas, Texas.
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 $1,272 and $2,711.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Detroit to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,215 - $2,145
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,272 - $2,711
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,775 - $3,445
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Detroit, Michigan, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $666.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $71 - $143 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Detroit to Dallas?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- XPO Logistics Freight, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): XPO Logistics Freight, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Detroit to Dallas. 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: 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 moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Michigan to Texas, 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. Michigan alone has 84 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,195-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Detroit, MI, to Dallas, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,222 for a studio to $9,321 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,195-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,285 - $4,306. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $808 - $2,102, 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 $3,031 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
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
Is Dallas a safe place to live?
Dallas has a safety index of 48.6 out of 100 and a crime index of 51.4, compared to 27.08 and 72.92 in Detroit. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX?
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 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 long does a move from Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX 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 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.
What percentage of Detroit movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 59% of movers in Detroit handle piano moves, and 22% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
