($800+) St. Paul, MN to Durham, NC Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $753 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,229 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,186 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 $2,455, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,229 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,246 - $4,484, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $753 - $2,232.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Durham, NC. 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 St. Paul, MN to Durham, NC
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Paul to Durham: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,031 - $6,917. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,186 miles, expect 2 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,186-mile route from St. Paul to Durham, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,455 for a studio up to $9,229 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,246 - $4,484 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $753 - $2,232, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,122 - $3,658, 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 St. Paul, MN to Durham, NC
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,186-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Durham, North Carolina, with costs ranging from $2,455 - $9,229. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $302 - $2,016. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Paul and Durham. Local movers in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,455 - $5,150
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,031 - $6,917
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,076 - $9,229
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. Paul to Durham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Minnesota 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 St. Paul, MN to Durham, NC
Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of St. Paul 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 | $504 - $5,040 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $202 - $1,210/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $302 - $2,419 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage29% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,008 - $3,024 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,520 - $10,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $755 - $1,434 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items41% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,008 - $2,520 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $806 - $3,528 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $302 - $1,512 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc. | $655 - $2,016 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $302 - $15,120+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $302 - $3,528+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul to Durham?
Look for North Carolina Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in North Carolina beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against 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. Paul, MN. 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. Paul, MN to Durham, NC
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $1,246 and $4,484. 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. Paul typically costs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,246 - $2,408
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,706 - $3,186
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,287 - $4,484
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both St. Paul, MN 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 $706 in St. Paul, MN, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $76 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $151 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 Minnesota 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 $1,246. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,706 - $3,186, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul 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. Paul 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. Paul:
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- Daymakers Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to Durham, NC
Truck rentals from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Durham, North Carolina, range from $753 - $2,232 for the 1,186-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $380 - $435
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- St. Paul 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 St. Paul to Durham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $753 - $1,464
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $890 - $1,724
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,034 - $2,232
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from St. Paul to Durham starts at $753 - $2,232, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($380 - $435) , overnight lodging ($151/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $76 and $353.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $151.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $380 and $435 for the 1,186-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $706 for 2 movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul 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. Paul, MN to Durham, NC
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Durham, North Carolina. 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 $907 and $2,765.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,122 - $2,080
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,325 - $2,765
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,883 - $3,658
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 St. Paul, Minnesota, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $706.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $76 - $151 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 St. Paul to Durham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- T.A. Dedicated, Inc. (4.8/5 stars): T.A. Dedicated, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from St. Paul to Durham, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: St. Paul, MN vs Durham, NC
St. Paul and Durham land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 102 in St. Paul and 99 in Durham, and rent tracks closely too ($1,350/mo vs. $1,699/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (60 vs 30) and safety scores (49.14 vs 45.28) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Durham, NC to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Minnesota to North Carolina, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 49 movers in Minnesota, so you have real options to compare for this 1,186-mile move.
Our take
The 1,186-mile move from St. Paul, MN, to Durham, NC, costs between $2,455 and $9,229 with full-service movers, $1,246 - $4,484 with a moving container, and $753 - $2,232 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,031 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer 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. Paul, MN, to Durham, NC
How much does it cost to move from St. Paul, MN to Durham, NC?
Costs on this route range from around $2,455 to $9,229, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,455 and $9,229, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
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 do local movers charge in St. Paul?
Local movers based in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate, plus $100/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.
What percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 41% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
