($456+) Akron, OH to Durham, NC Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Akron, OH to Durham, NC

Moving from Akron, OH, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $425 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,330 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 508 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 $1,322, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,330 or more.
  • Moving containers run $964 - $3,004, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $425 - $1,208.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Akron, OH, to Durham, NC. 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 Akron, OH to Durham, NC

Moving options from Akron to Durham 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 - $5,469 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 508 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 508-mile route from Akron to Durham, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,322 - $4,021 $964 - $1,781 $425 - $821 $903 - $1,619
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,274 - $5,469 $1,248 - $2,533 $449 - $1,003 $1,028 - $1,909
4+ bedrooms $4,216 - $8,330 $1,609 - $3,004 $600 - $1,208 $1,370 - $2,453

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 Akron, OH to Durham, NC

Hiring full-service movers from Akron, Ohio, to Durham, North Carolina, costs between $1,322 and $8,330. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 508-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $265 - $1,764, 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 Akron and Durham. For a rough baseline, movers based in Akron tend to start around $199 plus $80/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 Akron to Durham:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,322 - $4,021
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,274 - $5,469
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,216 - $8,330

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 Akron to Durham.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Ohio 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: 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 Akron, OH to Durham, NC

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Akron 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$441 - $4,410
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Summit Moving & Storage$176 - $1,058/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$265 - $2,117
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers$882 - $2,646
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,205 - $8,820
Car shippingSecond vehicle$661 - $1,255
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items45% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Summit Moving & Storage$882 - $2,205
PianoAny piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Summit Moving & Storage$706 - $3,087
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling27% of local movers$265 - $1,323
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Berger Allied Moving & Storage$573 - $1,764
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$265 - $13,230+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$265 - $3,087+

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

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in North Carolina Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Akron, OH. 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 Akron, OH to Durham, NC

Moving containers from Akron, Ohio, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $964 and $3,004. 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 Akron costs roughly $100/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Akron to Durham:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $964 - $1,781
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,248 - $2,533
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,609 - $3,004

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 $617 in Akron, OH. 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 $66 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $132 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 Ohio 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 $964. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,248 - $2,533, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Akron to Durham?

  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 Akron 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 Akron:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 29 years in business
  • Move It Now (4.8/5), 16 years in business
  • Move For Less, LLC (4.4/5), 16 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Akron, OH to Durham, NC

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 508 miles from Akron, Ohio, to Durham, North Carolina, running $425 - $1,208. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

  • Fuel for the drive: $143 - $163
  • Daily insurance: $26/day
  • Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
  • Akron daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
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 Akron to Durham based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $425 - $821
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $449 - $1,003
  • 4+ bedrooms: $600 - $1,208

Pro tip: A rental truck from Akron to Durham looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $425 - $1,208. But once you factor in fuel ($143 - $163) , overnight lodging ($132/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $132 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 $57 and $287 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $143 - $163 in fuel for the 508-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $617 in Akron, Ohio, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

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

  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 Akron, OH 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 Akron, Ohio, 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 $1,028 and $1,909.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $903 - $1,619
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,028 - $1,909
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,370 - $2,453

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?

  • Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
  • Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Akron, Ohio, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $617.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $66 and $132 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Akron to Durham?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
  3. Miller Transfer (4.84/5 stars): Miller Transfer is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Durham 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: Akron, OH 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 Akron on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Akron, OH Durham, NC
Cost of living index8199
Average rent$950/mo$1,699/mo
Median home value$111,626$355,053
Average income$48,544/yr$79,234/yr
Unemployment rate6.9%4.1%
State income taxUp to 3.5%Up to 4.5%
Walkability score48/10030/100
Safety index50.39/10045.28/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 Akron, OH guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Ohio to North Carolina, 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. Ohio alone has 103 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 508-mile move like this one.

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Our take

The 508-mile move from Akron, OH, to Durham, NC, costs between $1,322 and $8,330 with full-service movers, $964 - $3,004 with a moving container, and $425 - $1,208 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,274 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer 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 Akron, OH, to Durham, NC

How do I know a mover is licensed in North Carolina?

For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT).

What is the best time of year to move from Akron, OH to Durham, NC?

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. North Carolina 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 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.

Is Durham a safe place to live?

Durham has a safety index of 45.28 out of 100 and a crime index of 54.72, compared to 50.39 and 5.0 in Akron. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What is the cheapest way to move from Akron, OH to Durham, NC?

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 $449 - $1,003. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What percentage of Akron movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 67% of movers in Akron handle piano moves, and 45% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.