($861+) Raleigh, NC to San Antonio, TX Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Raleigh, NC to San Antonio, TX

Moving from Raleigh, NC, to San Antonio, TX, runs anywhere from $906 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,699 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,393 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,095, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,699 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,417 - $4,770, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $906 - $2,492.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Raleigh, NC, to San Antonio, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,953 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Raleigh, NC to San Antonio, TX

There are 3 main ways to move from Raleigh to San Antonio: 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 $2,953 - $6,789. 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 1,393 miles, expect 3 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 1,393-mile route from Raleigh to San Antonio, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,095 - $5,098 $1,417 - $2,567 $906 - $1,614 $1,288 - $2,380
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,953 - $6,789 $1,792 - $3,656 $1,008 - $2,062 $1,418 - $2,983
4+ bedrooms $5,051 - $8,699 $2,506 - $4,770 $1,149 - $2,492 $1,927 - $3,854

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 Raleigh, NC to San Antonio, TX

For the 1,393-mile move from Raleigh, North Carolina, to San Antonio, Texas, full-service movers cost between $2,095 and $8,699. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $300 - $2,000 (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 Raleigh generally start around $226 plus $93 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Raleigh to San Antonio:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,095 - $5,098
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,953 - $6,789
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,051 - $8,699

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 Raleigh to San Antonio.

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 Raleigh, NC to San Antonio, TX

Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Raleigh movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In San Antonio, 90% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$500 - $5,000
Storage in transitNew place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers $200 - $1,200/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$300 - $2,400
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers$1,000 - $3,000
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,500 - $10,000
Car shippingSecond vehicle$749 - $1,423
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items24% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts$1,000 - $2,500
PianoAny piano type66% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers $800 - $3,500
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling31% of local movers$300 - $1,500
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers $650 - $2,000
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$300 - $15,000+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$300 - $3,500+

What are the best full-service movers from Raleigh to San Antonio?

Southwest Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Texas, 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.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, NC to San Antonio, TX

Moving containers from Raleigh, North Carolina, to San Antonio, Texas, cost between $1,417 and $4,770. 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 Raleigh typically costs about $80/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Raleigh to San Antonio:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,417 - $2,567
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,792 - $3,656
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,506 - $4,770

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $75 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $150 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 $700 in Raleigh, 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 San Antonio, 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 $1,417. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,792 - $3,656, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Raleigh to San Antonio?

  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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh:

  • Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 15 years in business
  • Next Stop Movers (4.9/5), 5 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 13 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Raleigh, NC to San Antonio, TX

Truck rentals from Raleigh, North Carolina, to San Antonio, Texas, range from $906 - $2,492 for the 1,393-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $443 - $507
  • Daily insurance: $30/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Raleigh daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
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 Raleigh to San Antonio based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $906 - $1,614
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,008 - $2,062
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,149 - $2,492

Pro tip: The base rate of $906 - $2,492 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Raleigh to San Antonio. Fuel ($443 - $507) , lodging at around $150/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?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Raleigh, North Carolina, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $700.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $443 - $507 for the 1,393-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $60 and $325, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $150 per night for hotel stops on the 1,393-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $300 - $450.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Raleigh to San Antonio?

  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 Raleigh, NC to San Antonio, TX

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Raleigh, North Carolina, to San Antonio, 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 $1,418 and $2,983.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Raleigh to San Antonio:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,288 - $2,380
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,418 - $2,983
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,927 - $3,854

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?

  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Raleigh, North Carolina, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $700.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $75 - $150 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 Raleigh to San Antonio?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Southern Express, Inc. (4.3/5 stars): Southern Express, 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 are a great option when you need your belongings in San Antonio 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: Raleigh, NC vs San Antonio, TX

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

Measure Raleigh, NC San Antonio, TX
Cost of living index10691
Average rent$1,670/mo$1,496/mo
Median home value$378,862$216,453
Average income$82,424/yr$62,917/yr
Unemployment rate4.3%3.8%
State income taxUp to 4.5%None
Walkability score31/10037/100
Safety index60.13/10051.94/100
Air qualityModerateModerate

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 San Antonio, TX to Raleigh, NC guide.

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Our take

A move from Raleigh, NC, to San Antonio, 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 $2,095 - $8,699 on the 1,393-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,417 - $4,770, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $906 - $2,492. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,953 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 San Antonio tend to point to diversity and sight-seeing, though abundant stray pets and brutal summers come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Joint Base San Antonio (Three Military Bases) and H-E-B.

FAQs: Moving from Raleigh, NC, to San Antonio, TX

What are the best neighborhoods in San Antonio?

For families, Alamo Heights, Great Northwest, and Northwest Crossing are worth a look in San Antonio. If you're moving solo or without kids, Alamo Heights, Downtown, and Tobin Hill tend to be popular picks instead.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?

In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.

What do local movers charge in Raleigh?

Local movers based in Raleigh typically start around $226 as a base rate, plus $93/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 San Antonio run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

How much does it cost to move from Raleigh, NC to San Antonio, TX?

Costs on this route range from around $2,095 to $8,699, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,095 and $8,699, 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 Raleigh movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 66% of movers in Raleigh handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.