($719+) Durham, NC to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from Durham, NC, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $719 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,659 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,176 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 $1,921, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,659 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,202 - $4,238, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $719 - $2,068.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,393 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 Houston, TX
Moving options from Durham to Houston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,393 - $6,039 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 33% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,176-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,176-mile route from Durham to Houston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,921 - $4,638 | $1,202 - $2,252 | $719 - $1,455 | $1,160 - $1,965 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,393 - $6,039 | $1,613 - $3,297 | $817 - $1,629 | $1,290 - $2,511 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,260 - $7,659 | $2,161 - $4,238 | $1,038 - $2,068 | $1,677 - $3,492 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Durham, NC to Houston, TX
For the 1,176-mile move from Durham, North Carolina, to Houston, Texas, full-service movers cost between $1,921 and $7,659. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $295 - $1,964 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Durham generally start around $240 plus $122 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,921 - $4,638
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,393 - $6,039
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,260 - $7,659
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 Houston.
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 Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Durham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Houston, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $491 - $4,910 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $196 - $1,178/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $295 - $2,357 |
| 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 | $982 - $2,946 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,455 - $9,820 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $736 - $1,397 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $982 - $2,455 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $786 - $3,437 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $295 - $1,473 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $638 - $1,964 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $295 - $14,730+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $295 - $3,437+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Durham to Houston?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Durham, 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 Durham, NC to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,202 and $4,238. 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 Durham costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Durham to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,202 - $2,252
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,613 - $3,297
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,161 - $4,238
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $74 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $147 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Houston, TX, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $687 in Durham, NC. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina to Texas 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 $1,202. 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 $1,613 - $3,297.
What are the best moving containers Durham to Houston?
- 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 Houston, TX
Plan on $719 - $2,068 for a rental moving truck on the 1,176-mile route from Durham, North Carolina, to Houston, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $367 - $420
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $719 - $1,455
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $817 - $1,629
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,038 - $2,068
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Durham to Houston starts at $719 - $2,068, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($367 - $420), overnight lodging ($147/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $147 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 $687 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,176-mile drive falls between $367 and $420, 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 $49 and $295 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Durham to Houston?
- 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 Houston, TX
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Durham, North Carolina, to Houston, Texas. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,290 and $2,511.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,160 - $1,965
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,290 - $2,511
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,677 - $3,492
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $74 - $147 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Durham, North Carolina, for about five hours typically runs $687.
What are the best freight companies from Durham to Houston?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Durham to Houston, 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: Durham, NC vs Houston, TX
Good news for your budget: Houston isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Durham. Cost of living index runs 97 there against 99 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 30/100 and 45.28/100 here versus 47/100 and 36.5/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX 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 Texas, 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 255 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,176-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,176-mile route from Durham, NC, to Houston, TX, run $1,921 - $7,659 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,202 - $4,238, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $719 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,393, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Houston tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and ample economic opportunity, though tropical storms and heat and humidity come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include H-E-B and Houston Methodist.
FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to Houston, TX
What are the best neighborhoods in Houston?
For families, Clear Lake City, Friendswood, and Kingwood are worth a look in Houston. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Greenway/Upper Kirby, and Montrose tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Durham, NC to Houston, TX take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 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 Houston run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Durham, NC to Houston, TX?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
How much does it cost to move from Durham, NC to Houston, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $719 to $7,659, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,921 and $7,659, 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 percentage of Durham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in Durham handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.