($422+) Durham, NC to Dayton, OH Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Durham, NC to Dayton, OH

Moving from Durham, NC, to Dayton, OH, runs anywhere from $405 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,569 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 484 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,136, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,569 or more.
  • Moving containers run $943 - $3,021, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $405 - $1,147.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to Dayton, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,947 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Durham, NC to Dayton, OH

Moving options from Durham to Dayton fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $1,947 - $5,124 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 484 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 484-mile route from Durham to Dayton, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,136 - $3,845 $943 - $1,741 $405 - $740 $839 - $1,503
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,947 - $5,124 $1,258 - $2,547 $468 - $970 $956 - $2,018
4+ bedrooms $3,508 - $7,569 $1,690 - $3,021 $588 - $1,147 $1,392 - $2,491

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Durham, NC to Dayton, OH

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 484-mile move from Durham, North Carolina, to Dayton, Ohio, with prices running from $1,136 - $7,569. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $274 - $1,828 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Durham and Dayton are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Durham movers tend to run around $240 as a base rate plus $122/hour per mover, for comparison.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to Dayton:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,136 - $3,845
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,947 - $5,124
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,508 - $7,569

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 Dayton.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from North Carolina to Ohio. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.

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Specialty moving services from Durham, NC to Dayton, OH

Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Durham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Dayton, 88% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$457 - $4,570
Storage in transitNew place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$183 - $1,097/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$274 - $2,194
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers$914 - $2,742
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,285 - $9,140
Car shippingSecond vehicle$685 - $1,301
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items25% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation$914 - $2,285
PianoAny piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$731 - $3,199
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers$274 - $1,371
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts$594 - $1,828
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$274 - $13,710+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$274 - $3,199+

What are the best full-service movers from Durham to Dayton?

Ohio Association of Movers membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Ohio, on top of the picks below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

How much do local movers cost in Durham, NC?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Durham to Dayton with a local mover averages $2,005 - $5,277. Working with a local mover based in Durham, NC often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.

The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.

Flex Moving & Storage (4.38/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Durham, based on our analysis of feedback from 397 customers, 93.2% of which is positive.

Address: 4417 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, NC, 27705 | Founded: 2023

Moving container costs from Durham, NC to Dayton, OH

Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to Dayton, Ohio, cost between $943 and $3,021. 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 Dayton. 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 Dayton:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $943 - $1,741
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,258 - $2,547
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,690 - $3,021

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Durham, NC, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $640, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $69 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $137 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Durham, NC, and Dayton, OH, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
  • Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.

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 $943. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,258 - $2,547, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Durham to Dayton?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 28 years in business
  • Truckin' Movers Corporation (4.9/5), 49 years in business
  • Bellhop Moving (4.1/5), 15 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Durham, NC to Dayton, OH

A rental truck for this 484-mile move from Durham, North Carolina, to Dayton, Ohio, costs between $405 and $1,147. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $141 - $161
  • Daily insurance: $27/day
  • Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
  • Durham daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Durham to Dayton based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $405 - $740
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $468 - $970
  • 4+ bedrooms: $588 - $1,147

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $405 - $1,147 when pricing out a rental truck from Durham to Dayton. Fuel alone runs ($141 - $161) , and overnight lodging ($137/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $137 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 $59 and $297 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $141 - $161 in fuel for the 484-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $640 in Durham, North Carolina, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Durham to Dayton?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Dayton, 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 Dayton, Ohio.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $956 and $2,018.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to Dayton:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $839 - $1,503
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $956 - $2,018
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,392 - $2,491

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 $69 - $137 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 Durham, North Carolina, typically costs $640.

What are the best freight companies from Durham to Dayton?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc. 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Dayton fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.

Cost of living: Durham, NC vs Dayton, OH

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Dayton, side by side with Durham on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Durham, NC Dayton, OH
Cost of living index9980
Average rent$1,699/mo$925/mo
Median home value$355,053$94,536
Average income$79,234/yr$43,454/yr
Unemployment rate4.1%6.8%
State income taxUp to 4.5%Up to 3.5%
Walkability score30/10045/100
Safety index45.28/10040.68/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Dayton, OH to Durham, NC guide.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 484-mile route from Durham, NC, to Dayton, OH, run $1,136 - $7,569 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $943 - $3,021, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $405 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,947, 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 Morgan Linen & Uniform Services and Premier Physicians.

FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to Dayton, OH

How much does it cost to move from Durham, NC to Dayton, OH?

Costs on this route range from around $1,136 to $7,569, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,136 and $7,569, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Durham, NC to Dayton, 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 $468 - $970. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($141 - $161), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $137/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How long does a move from Durham, NC to Dayton, OH 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 is the best time of year to move from Durham, NC to Dayton, 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 percentage of Durham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 64% of movers in Durham handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.