($376+) Philadelphia, PA to Durham, NC Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $365 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,785 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 402 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 $1,099, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,785 or more.
- Moving containers run $941 - $2,837, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $365 - $973.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,856 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 Philadelphia, PA to Durham, NC
Moving options from Philadelphia to Durham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,856 - $4,509 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 402 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 4 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 402-mile route from Philadelphia to Durham, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,099 - $3,653 | $941 - $1,531 | $365 - $644 | $839 - $1,509 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,856 - $4,509 | $1,148 - $2,265 | $409 - $795 | $955 - $1,813 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,968 - $6,785 | $1,506 - $2,837 | $493 - $973 | $1,167 - $2,270 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 27, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Philadelphia, PA to Durham, NC
For the 402-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Durham, North Carolina, full-service movers cost between $1,099 and $6,785. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $306 - $2,040 (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 Philadelphia generally start around $282 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,099 - $3,653
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,856 - $4,509
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,968 - $6,785
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 Philadelphia to Durham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Pennsylvania 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: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to Durham, NC
Specialty needs vary by market — 55% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 61% nationally. In Durham, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $510 - $5,100 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers61% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $204 - $1,224/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $306 - $2,448 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,020 - $3,060 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,550 - $10,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $764 - $1,451 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,020 - $2,550 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $816 - $3,570 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $306 - $1,530 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $663 - $2,040 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $306 - $15,300+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $306 - $3,570+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to Durham?
Look for North Carolina Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in North Carolina beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Philadelphia, PA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Philadelphia to Durham with a local mover averages $1,874 - $4,554. A local mover in Philadelphia, PA 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.
Zip to Zip Moving Inc (4.56/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Philadelphia, based on our analysis of feedback from 1,563 customers, 99.3% of which is positive.
Address: 558 W Uwchlan Ave, Exton, PA, 19341 | Founded: 2020
Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to Durham, NC
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $941 and $2,837. 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 Philadelphia adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $941 - $1,531
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,148 - $2,265
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,506 - $2,837
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $77 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $153 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 $714 in Philadelphia, PA, 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 Pennsylvania 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 $941. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,148 - $2,265, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia:
- Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 4 years in business
- Payless Moving Inc. (4.5/5), 17 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to Durham, NC
Renting a moving truck for the 402-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Durham, North Carolina, costs between $365 and $973, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $130 - $149
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $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 Philadelphia to Durham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $365 - $644
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $409 - $795
- 4+ bedrooms: $493 - $973
Pro tip: A rental truck from Philadelphia to Durham looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $365 - $973. But once you factor in fuel ($130 - $149) , overnight lodging ($153/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $77 and $357.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $153.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $130 and $149 for the 402-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 $714 for 2 movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA to Durham, NC
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Durham, North Carolina, 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 $955 and $1,813.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $839 - $1,509
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $955 - $1,813
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,167 - $2,270
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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $714.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $77 and $153 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Durham?
- 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.
- 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.
- Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.7/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, Inc. 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs Durham, NC
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Philadelphia and Durham to plan around. Cost of living index: 104 vs. 99. Average rent: $1,695/mo vs. $1,699/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 75 vs. 30. Safety index: 33.91 vs. 45.28.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Durham, NC to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 235 movers in Pennsylvania, so you have real options to compare for this 402-mile move.
Our take
A move from Philadelphia, PA, 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 $1,099 - $6,785 on the 402-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $941 - $2,837, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $365 - $973. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,856 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 Philadelphia, PA, to Durham, NC
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($130 - $149), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $153/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Philadelphia, PA 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 $409 - $795. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia, PA to Durham, NC?
Costs on this route range from around $1,099 to $6,785, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,099 and $6,785, 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 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.
What do local movers charge in Philadelphia?
Local movers based in Philadelphia typically start around $282 as a base rate, plus $130/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 Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.