($400+) Jersey City, NJ to Durham, NC Movers
Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $405 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,565 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 485 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 $1,101, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,565 or more.
- Moving containers run $933 - $3,114, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $405 - $1,169.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Jersey City, NJ, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,985 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 Jersey City, NJ to Durham, NC
Moving options from Jersey City to Durham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,985 - $5,172 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 485-mile route typically takes 1 to 4 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 485-mile route from Jersey City to Durham, 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 $1,101 - $3,620 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($933 - $1,829), rental truck ($405 - $794), or freight trailer ($839 - $1,566). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,985 - $5,172 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,565.
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 Jersey City, NJ to Durham, NC
Hiring full-service movers from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Durham, North Carolina, costs between $1,101 and $7,565. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 485-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $371 - $2,472, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Jersey City and Durham. For a rough baseline, movers based in Jersey City tend to start around $256 plus $139/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Jersey City to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,101 - $3,620
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,985 - $5,172
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,402 - $7,565
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 Jersey City to Durham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from New Jersey to North Carolina. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Jersey City, NJ to Durham, NC
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Jersey City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Durham, 86% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $618 - $6,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $247 - $1,483/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $371 - $2,966 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage54% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs37% of local movers | $1,236 - $3,708 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,090 - $12,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $926 - $1,759 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items71% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Great Movers | $1,236 - $3,090 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $989 - $4,326 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $371 - $1,854 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Zeromax Moving and Storage | $803 - $2,472 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $371 - $18,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $371 - $4,326+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Jersey City to Durham?
North Carolina Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in North Carolina, 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.
How much do local movers cost in Jersey City, NJ?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Jersey City to Durham with a local mover averages $2,024 - $5,275. A local mover in Jersey City, NJ is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.
Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.
Roadway Moving (4.78/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Jersey City, ranked # in New Jersey, based on our analysis of feedback from 790 customers, 92.3% of which is positive.
Address: 845 3rd Avenue, New York, NY, 11232 | Founded: 2008
Moving container costs from Jersey City, NJ to Durham, NC
Moving containers from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $933 and $3,114. 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 Durham. If you go over that window, storage in Jersey City adds around $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Jersey City to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $933 - $1,829
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,245 - $2,547
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,757 - $3,114
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $865 in Jersey City, NJ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $93 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $185 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Durham, NC, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New Jersey to North Carolina 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 $933. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,245 - $2,547, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Jersey City to Durham?
- 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 Jersey City 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 Jersey City:
- Roadway Moving (4.9/5), 18 years in business
- Ample Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Dumbo Moving and Storage (4.5/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Jersey City, NJ to Durham, NC
Renting a moving truck for the 485-mile move from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Durham, North Carolina, costs between $405 and $1,169, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $191 - $218
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Jersey City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $0.99
| 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 Jersey City to Durham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $405 - $794
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $445 - $896
- 4+ bedrooms: $576 - $1,169
Pro tip: The base rate of $405 - $1,169 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Jersey City to Durham. Fuel ($191 - $218) , lodging at around $185/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 Jersey City, New Jersey, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $865.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $191 - $218 for the 485-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 $74 and $402, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $185 per night for hotel stops on the 485-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $371 - $556.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Jersey City to Durham?
- 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 Jersey City, NJ to Durham, NC
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 Jersey City, New Jersey, to Durham, North Carolina. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $956 and $1,882.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Jersey City to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $839 - $1,566
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $956 - $1,882
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,379 - $2,466
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 Jersey City, New Jersey, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $865.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $93 - $185 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 Jersey City to Durham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Freehold Cartage, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): Freehold Cartage, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Jersey City to Durham. 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: Jersey City, NJ vs Durham, NC
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Durham, side by side with Jersey City on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Jersey City, NJ | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 140 | 99 |
| Average rent | $2,975/mo | $1,699/mo |
| Median home value | $538,163 | $355,053 |
| Average income | $94,813/yr | $79,234/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.3% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.7% | Up to 4.5% |
| Walkability score | 87/100 | 30/100 |
| Safety index | 56.79/100 | 45.28/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
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 Durham, NC to Jersey City, NJ guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from New Jersey to North Carolina in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 89 movers based in New Jersey, handy for sizing up options on this 485-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Jersey City, NJ, to Durham, NC, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,101 - $7,565 on the 485-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $933 - $3,114 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $405 - $1,169 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,985 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Durham tend to point to low cost of living and quality education, though terrible traffic and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Duke University & Duke Univ. Health System and IBM.
FAQs: Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to Durham, NC
How much does it cost to move from Jersey City, NJ to Durham, NC?
Costs on this route range from around $1,101 to $7,565, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,101 and $7,565, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Jersey City, NJ to Durham, NC?
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.
What do local movers charge in Jersey City?
Local movers based in Jersey City typically start around $256 as a base rate, plus $139/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 Durham run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Jersey City, NJ to Durham, NC 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 Durham?
For families, Treyburn, American Village/Arrowhead, and Willowhaven are worth a look in Durham. If you're moving solo or without kids, Golden Belt, Warehouse District, and City Center tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Jersey City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 88% of movers in Jersey City handle piano moves, and 71% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
