($800+) Durham, NC to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from Durham, NC, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $784 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,776 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,033, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,776 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,337 - $4,573, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $784 - $2,145.
- 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 $2,586 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
There are 3 main ways to move from Durham to Houston: 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 $2,586 - $6,140. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,176 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 1,176-mile route from Durham to Houston, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,033 - $4,664 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,337 - $2,384), rental truck ($784 - $1,539), or freight trailer ($1,215 - $2,253). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,586 - $6,140 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,776.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Durham, NC to Houston, TX
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,176-mile move from Durham, North Carolina, to Houston, Texas, with costs ranging from $2,033 - $8,776. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $295 - $1,964. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Durham and Houston. Local movers in Durham typically start around $240 as a base rate plus $122/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,033 - $4,664
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,586 - $6,140
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,374 - $8,776
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from North Carolina to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Durham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Houston, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $491 - $4,910 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $196 - $1,178/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $295 - $2,357 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% 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 items25% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $982 - $2,455 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $786 - $3,437 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers | $295 - $1,473 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% 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?
Southwest Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Texas, on top of the picks below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Durham, NC. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Durham, NC to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,337 and $4,573. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Durham typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Durham to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,337 - $2,384
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,757 - $3,287
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,355 - $4,573
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $74 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $147 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 $687 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 Houston, TX, 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 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 $1,337. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,757 - $3,287, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- 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 Houston, TX
Plan on $784 - $2,145 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: $784 - $1,539
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $873 - $1,778
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,066 - $2,145
Pro tip: The base rate of $784 - $2,145 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Durham to Houston. Fuel ($367 - $420) , lodging at around $147/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $147 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 $64 and $319 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $367 - $420 in fuel for the 1,176-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $687 in Durham, North Carolina, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
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 well suited for larger moves from Durham, North Carolina, to Houston, Texas, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,352 and $2,577.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,215 - $2,253
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,352 - $2,577
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,720 - $3,729
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Durham, North Carolina, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $687.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $74 - $147 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
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.
- Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Durham to Houston. 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 Houston, TX
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Durham and Houston to plan around. Cost of living index: 99 vs. 97. Average rent: $1,699/mo vs. $1,549/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 30 vs. 47. Safety index: 45.28 vs. 36.5.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to Durham, NC guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Texas, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 117 movers licensed in North Carolina, useful context for sizing up this 1,176-mile move.
Our take
A move from Durham, NC, to Houston, TX, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,033 - $8,776 on the 1,176-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,337 - $4,573, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $784 - $2,145. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,586 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
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
How long does a move from Durham, NC to Houston, TX 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 Houston, TX?
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. Texas also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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.
Is Houston a safe place to live?
Houston has a safety index of 36.5 out of 100 and a crime index of 63.5, 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.
How walkable is Houston?
Houston has a walkability score of 47 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 30 and 38 in Durham. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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.
