($737+) Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC Movers
Moving from Tulsa, OK, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $737 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,134 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,139 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 $2,088, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,134 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,167 - $3,975, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $737 - $2,031.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tulsa, OK, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,625 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC
There are 3 main ways to move from Tulsa to Durham: 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 $2,625 - $6,333. Containers cost roughly 38% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 70% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,139 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 1,139-mile route from Tulsa to Durham, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,088 - $4,891 with full-service movers, $1,167 - $2,294 with a container, $737 - $1,403 with a rental truck, or $1,126 - $2,085 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,625 - $6,333 full-service, $1,627 - $2,946 by container, $780 - $1,700 by rental truck, or $1,290 - $2,530 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,315 - $8,134 full-service, $2,201 - $3,975 by container, $1,020 - $2,031 by rental truck, or $1,677 - $3,213 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC
For the 1,139-mile move from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Durham, North Carolina, full-service movers cost between $2,088 and $8,134. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $272 - $1,812 (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 Tulsa generally start around $225 plus $90 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tulsa to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,088 - $4,891
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,625 - $6,333
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,315 - $8,134
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 Tulsa to Durham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Oklahoma 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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC
Specialty needs vary by market: 43% of Tulsa movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Durham, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $453 - $4,530 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready43% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $181 - $1,087/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $272 - $2,174 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $906 - $2,718 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,265 - $9,060 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $679 - $1,289 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving (OK) | $906 - $2,265 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: You Move Me | $725 - $3,171 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $272 - $1,359 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (OK) | $589 - $1,812 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $272 - $13,590+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $272 - $3,171+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tulsa to Durham?
Movers licensed to operate in North Carolina are typically members of the North Carolina Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Tulsa, OK. 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 Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC
Moving containers from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $1,167 and $3,975. 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 Tulsa costs roughly $55/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tulsa to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,167 - $2,294
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,627 - $2,946
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,201 - $3,975
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $68 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $136 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 $634 in Tulsa, OK, 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 Durham, NC, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Oklahoma 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 $1,167. 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 $1,627 - $2,946.
What are the best moving containers Tulsa 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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.3/5), 32 years in business
- 2 Fellas & A Big Vehicle Moving Company (4.3/5), 30 years in business
- Bigger Better Movers (4.8/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,139 miles from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Durham, North Carolina, running $737 - $2,031. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $328 - $375
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Tulsa daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Tulsa to Durham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $737 - $1,403
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $780 - $1,700
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,020 - $2,031
Pro tip: The base rate of $737 - $2,031 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Tulsa to Durham. Fuel ($328 - $375), lodging at around $136/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $68 and $317.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $136.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $328 and $375 for the 1,139-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $634 for 2 movers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tulsa 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 Tulsa, OK to Durham, NC
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Durham, North Carolina. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $815 and $2,530.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tulsa to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,126 - $2,085
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,290 - $2,530
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,677 - $3,213
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?
- 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 Tulsa, Oklahoma, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $634.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $68 and $136 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Tulsa to Durham?
- 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 Tulsa to Durham, 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: Tulsa, OK vs Durham, NC
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Tulsa and Durham to plan around. Cost of living index: 85 vs. 99. Average rent: $1,199/mo vs. $1,699/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 39 vs. 30. Safety index: 48.06 vs. 45.28.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Durham, NC to Tulsa, OK guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Oklahoma to North Carolina over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 79 movers in our Oklahoma network to compare for this 1,139-mile move.
Our take
A move from Tulsa, OK, to Durham, NC, 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 $2,088 - $8,134 on the 1,139-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,167 - $3,975, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $737 - $2,031. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,625 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 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 Tulsa, OK, to Durham, NC
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 48.06 and 51.94 in Tulsa. 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 Durham?
Durham has a walkability score of 30 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 38, compared to 39 and 47 in Tulsa. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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.
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 do local movers charge in Tulsa?
Local movers based in Tulsa typically start around $225 as a base rate, plus $90/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.
What percentage of Tulsa movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Tulsa handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.