($729+) Raleigh, NC to Minneapolis, MN Movers
Moving from Raleigh, NC, to Minneapolis, MN, runs anywhere from $729 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,273 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,218 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 $2,102, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,273 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,210 - $4,443, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $729 - $2,142.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Raleigh, NC, to Minneapolis, MN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,384 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 Raleigh, NC to Minneapolis, MN
There are 3 main ways to move from Raleigh to Minneapolis: 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 $2,384 - $5,822. Containers cost roughly 31% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 65% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,218 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 1,218-mile route from Raleigh to Minneapolis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,102 - $4,731 | $1,210 - $2,361 | $729 - $1,377 | $1,134 - $2,167 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,384 - $5,822 | $1,640 - $3,322 | $830 - $1,688 | $1,236 - $2,530 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,432 - $8,273 | $2,134 - $4,443 | $1,001 - $2,142 | $1,673 - $3,283 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Raleigh, NC to Minneapolis, MN
Hiring full-service movers from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, costs between $2,102 and $8,273. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,218-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $319 - $2,128, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Raleigh and Minneapolis. For a rough baseline, movers based in Raleigh tend to start around $226 plus $93/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Raleigh to Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,102 - $4,731
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,384 - $5,822
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,432 - $8,273
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 Raleigh to Minneapolis.
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 Raleigh, NC to Minneapolis, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Raleigh movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Minneapolis, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $532 - $5,320 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Miracle Movers | $213 - $1,277/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $319 - $2,554 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $1,064 - $3,192 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,660 - $10,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $797 - $1,514 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $1,064 - $2,660 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Miracle Movers | $851 - $3,724 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $319 - $1,596 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $692 - $2,128 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $319 - $15,960+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $319 - $3,724+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Raleigh to Minneapolis?
Movers licensed to operate in Minnesota are typically members of the Minnesota Transport Services 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Raleigh, NC. 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 Raleigh, NC to Minneapolis, MN
Moving containers from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, cost between $1,210 and $4,443. 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 Raleigh costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Raleigh to Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,210 - $2,361
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,640 - $3,322
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,134 - $4,443
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Raleigh, NC and Minneapolis, MN. 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 $745 in Raleigh, NC, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $80 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $160 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 North Carolina to Minnesota 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 $1,210. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,640 - $3,322.
What are the best moving containers Raleigh to Minneapolis?
- 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh:
- Little Guys Movers (4.9/5), 33 years in business
- Athens Moving Experts (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- Miracle Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Raleigh, NC to Minneapolis, MN
Renting a moving truck for the 1,218-mile move from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, costs between $729 and $2,142, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $412 - $471
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Minneapolis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $729 - $1,377
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $830 - $1,688
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,001 - $2,142
Pro tip: The base rate of $729 - $2,142 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Raleigh to Minneapolis. Fuel ($412 - $471), lodging at around $160/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
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 $80 and $372.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $160.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $412 and $471 for the 1,218-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 $745 for 2 movers in Raleigh, North Carolina, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Raleigh to Minneapolis?
- 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 Raleigh, NC to Minneapolis, MN
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,236 and $2,530.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Raleigh to Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,134 - $2,167
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,236 - $2,530
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,673 - $3,283
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?
- 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 $80 - $160 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 Raleigh, North Carolina, typically costs $745.
What are the best freight companies from Raleigh to Minneapolis?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Raleigh to Minneapolis. 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: Raleigh, NC vs Minneapolis, MN
Good news for your budget: Minneapolis isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Raleigh. Cost of living index runs 107 there against 106 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 31/100 and 60.13/100 here versus 71/100 and 43.94/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Minneapolis, MN to Raleigh, NC guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Minnesota 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 313 movers in our North Carolina network to compare for this 1,218-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,218-mile route from Raleigh, NC, to Minneapolis, MN, run $2,102 - $8,273 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,210 - $4,443, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $729 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,384, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Aeon and Target.
FAQs: Moving from Raleigh, NC, to Minneapolis, MN
How walkable is Minneapolis?
Minneapolis has a walkability score of 71 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 83, compared to 31 and 39 in Raleigh. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($412 - $471), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $160/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Minnesota?
To operate legally within the state, Minnesota household goods movers must have a current permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Before being granted operating authority, each moving company must file a public tariff, provide proof of insurance and submit a Certificate of Compliance to MnDOT.
What is the best time of year to move from Raleigh, NC to Minneapolis, MN?
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. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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 4 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 Raleigh movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in Raleigh handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.