($540+) Durham, NC to Memphis, TN Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from Durham, NC to Memphis, TN

Moving from Durham, NC, to Memphis, TN, runs anywhere from $551 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,873 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 737 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 $1,546, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,873 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,149 - $3,730, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $551 - $1,534.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to Memphis, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,274 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 Memphis, TN

Moving options from Durham to Memphis 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 $2,274 - $5,330 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 737 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 737-mile route from Durham to Memphis, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,546 - $4,002 $1,149 - $1,890 $551 - $1,025 $995 - $1,862
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,274 - $5,330 $1,462 - $2,703 $607 - $1,179 $1,170 - $2,096
4+ bedrooms $3,931 - $7,873 $1,846 - $3,730 $773 - $1,534 $1,447 - $2,898

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 Memphis, TN

Full-service movers for the 737-mile relocation from Durham, North Carolina, to Memphis, Tennessee, cost between $1,546 and $7,873. 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 $281 - $1,876, 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 Memphis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,546 - $4,002
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,274 - $5,330
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,931 - $7,873

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 Memphis.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from North Carolina to Tennessee. 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.

Don't see your company listed?

Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from Durham, NC to Memphis, TN

Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Durham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Memphis, 100% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$469 - $4,690
Storage in transitNew place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$188 - $1,126/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$281 - $2,251
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$938 - $2,814
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,345 - $9,380
Car shippingSecond vehicle$703 - $1,335
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items25% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation$938 - $2,345
PianoAny piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$750 - $3,283
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers$281 - $1,407
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts$610 - $1,876
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$281 - $14,070+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$281 - $3,283+

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 Memphis, TN

Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to Memphis, Tennessee, cost between $1,149 and $3,730. 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 Memphis. 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 Memphis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,149 - $1,890
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,462 - $2,703
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,846 - $3,730

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Durham, NC and Memphis, TN. 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 $657 in Durham, NC, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $70 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $141 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 Tennessee 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 $1,149. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,462 - $2,703, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Durham to Memphis?

  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 Memphis, TN

Truck rentals from Durham, North Carolina, to Memphis, Tennessee, range from $551 - $1,534 for the 737-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $220 - $251
  • Daily insurance: $28/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
  • 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 Memphis based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $551 - $1,025
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $607 - $1,179
  • 4+ bedrooms: $773 - $1,534

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $551 - $1,534 does not include fuel ($220 - $251) , lodging ($141/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Durham to Memphis typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $141 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Durham, North Carolina, usually costs about $657 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 737-mile drive falls between $220 and $251, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $47 and $281 to your total.

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

  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 Memphis, TN

For larger DIY moves from Durham, North Carolina, 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 Memphis, Tennessee.

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 $1,170 and $2,096.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $995 - $1,862
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,170 - $2,096
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,447 - $2,898

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $70 and $141.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Durham, North Carolina, for roughly five hours typically average $657.

What are the best freight companies from Durham to Memphis?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  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 and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Durham to Memphis. 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 Memphis, TN

Durham and Memphis land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 99 in Durham and 86 in Memphis, and rent tracks closely too ($1,699/mo vs. $1,299/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (30 vs 35) and safety scores (45.28 vs 22.51) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Memphis, TN to Durham, NC guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Tennessee 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 117 movers in our North Carolina network to compare for this 737-mile move.

30%+
Save 30%+
moveBuddha users save more than 30% on average by comparing movers before they book.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
Booking with a moveBuddha Certified mover gets you dedicated support from start to finish.
Dispute mediation
We help resolve issues with Certified movers if a problem comes up.

Our take

For a move from Durham, NC, to Memphis, TN, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,546 for a studio to $7,873 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 737-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,149 - $3,730. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $551 - $1,534, 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 $2,274 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include FedEx and AutoZone.

FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to Memphis, TN

What do local movers charge in Durham?

Local movers based in Durham typically start around $240 as a base rate, plus $122/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 Memphis run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How long does a move from Durham, NC to Memphis, TN 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 are the best neighborhoods in Memphis?

For families, Bartlett, Cordova, and East Memphis are worth a look in Memphis. If you're moving solo or without kids, Binghampton, Cooper-Young, and Crosstown tend to be popular picks instead.

What is the cheapest way to move from Durham, NC to Memphis, TN?

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 $607 - $1,179. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

Is Memphis a safe place to live?

Memphis has a safety index of 22.51 out of 100 and a crime index of 77.49, 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 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.