($430+) Durham, NC to Akron, OH Movers
Moving from Durham, NC, to Akron, OH, runs anywhere from $430 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,476 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 506 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 $1,095, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,476 or more.
- Moving containers run $984 - $3,131, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $430 - $1,107.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to Akron, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,846 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 Durham, NC to Akron, OH
There are 3 main ways to move from Durham to Akron: 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 $1,846 - $4,716. Moving containers run about 33% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 77% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 506-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 506-mile route from Durham to Akron, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,095 - $3,432, container $984 - $1,714, rental truck $430 - $790, freight trailer $801 - $1,542.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,846 - $4,716, container $1,237 - $2,343, rental truck $428 - $883, freight trailer $960 - $1,874.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,359 - $7,476, container $1,518 - $3,131, rental truck $577 - $1,107, freight trailer $1,253 - $2,433.
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 Durham, NC to Akron, OH
Full-service movers for the 506-mile relocation from Durham, North Carolina, to Akron, Ohio, cost between $1,095 and $7,476. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $275 - $1,836, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Durham typically charge a base rate around $240 plus $122 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to Akron:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,095 - $3,432
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,846 - $4,716
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,359 - $7,476
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 Durham to Akron.
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 Durham, NC to Akron, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Durham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Akron, 64% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $459 - $4,590 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $184 - $1,102/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $275 - $2,203 |
| 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 | $918 - $2,754 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,295 - $9,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $688 - $1,306 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $918 - $2,295 |
| Piano | Any piano type51% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $734 - $3,213 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $275 - $1,377 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $597 - $1,836 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $275 - $13,770+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $275 - $3,213+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Durham to Akron?
Movers licensed to operate in Ohio are typically members of the Ohio Association of Movers, 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Durham, NC. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Durham, NC to Akron, OH
Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to Akron, Ohio, cost between $984 and $3,131. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Akron. If you go over that window, storage in Durham adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Durham to Akron:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $984 - $1,714
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,237 - $2,343
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,518 - $3,131
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $69 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $138 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 $643 in Durham, NC, 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 Akron, OH, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina to Ohio 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 $984. 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 $1,237 - $2,343.
What are the best moving containers Durham to Akron?
- 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 Durham 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 Durham:
- Athens Moving Experts (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 28 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.1/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Durham, NC to Akron, OH
Truck rentals from Durham, North Carolina, to Akron, Ohio, range from $430 - $1,107 for the 506-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $148 - $169
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Durham daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.89
| 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 Durham to Akron based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $430 - $790
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $428 - $883
- 4+ bedrooms: $577 - $1,107
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $430 - $1,107 when pricing out a rental truck from Durham to Akron. Fuel alone runs $148 - $169, and overnight lodging ($138/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $138 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $60 and $298 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $148 - $169 in fuel for the 506-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $643 in Durham, North Carolina, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Durham to Akron?
- 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 Durham, NC to Akron, OH
If you're moving a larger household from Durham, North Carolina, 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 Akron, Ohio.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $960 and $1,874.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to Akron:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $801 - $1,542
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $960 - $1,874
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,253 - $2,433
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 $69 - $138 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Durham, North Carolina, for about five hours typically runs $643.
What are the best freight companies from Durham to Akron?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Durham to Akron. 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: Durham, NC vs Akron, OH
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Akron, side by side with Durham on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Durham, NC | Akron, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 99 | 81 |
| Average rent | $1,699/mo | $950/mo |
| Median home value | $355,053 | $111,626 |
| Average income | $79,234/yr | $48,544/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 6.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.5% | Up to 3.5% |
| Walkability score | 30/100 | 48/100 |
| Safety index | 45.28/100 | 50.39/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Akron, OH to Durham, NC guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Ohio, 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. North Carolina alone has 313 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 506-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 506-mile move from Durham, NC, to Akron, OH, costs between $1,095 and $7,476 with full-service movers, $984 - $3,131 with a moving container, and $430 - $1,107 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 $1,846 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Goodyear and Signet Jewelers.
FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to Akron, OH
How do I know a mover is licensed in Ohio?
Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What is the best time of year to move from Durham, NC to Akron, OH?
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.
Is Akron a safe place to live?
Akron has a safety index of 50.39 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 45.28 and 54.72 in Durham. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Durham, NC to Akron, OH?
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 $428 - $883. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Durham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 51% of movers in Durham handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.