($703+) Houston, TX to Durham, NC Movers
Moving from Houston, TX, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $703 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,544 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,175 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 $2,229, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,544 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,273 - $4,355, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $703 - $2,023.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Houston, TX, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,618 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 Houston, TX to Durham, NC
Moving options from Houston to Durham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,618 - $6,154 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 37% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 69% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,175-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,175-mile route from Houston to Durham, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,229 - $4,917 | $1,273 - $2,157 | $703 - $1,438 | $1,102 - $2,064 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,618 - $6,154 | $1,641 - $3,005 | $799 - $1,626 | $1,313 - $2,506 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,696 - $8,544 | $2,242 - $4,355 | $1,055 - $2,023 | $1,742 - $3,182 |
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 Houston, TX to Durham, NC
Hiring full-service movers from Houston, Texas, to Durham, North Carolina, costs between $2,229 and $8,544. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,175-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $293 - $1,956, 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 Houston and Durham. For a rough baseline, movers based in Houston tend to start around $175 plus $75/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 Houston to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,229 - $4,917
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,618 - $6,154
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,696 - $8,544
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 Houston to Durham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas 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: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Houston, TX to Durham, NC
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Houston 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 packing81% of local movers | $489 - $4,890 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $196 - $1,174/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,347 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $978 - $2,934 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,445 - $9,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $733 - $1,392 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $978 - $2,445 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $782 - $3,423 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $293 - $1,467 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $636 - $1,956 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $293 - $14,670+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $293 - $3,423+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Houston 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Houston, TX. 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 Houston, TX to Durham, NC
Moving containers from Houston, Texas, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $1,273 and $4,355. 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 Houston adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Houston to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,273 - $2,157
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,641 - $3,005
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,242 - $4,355
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $73 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $147 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 $685 in Houston, TX, 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 Texas 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 $1,273. 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 $1,641 - $3,005.
What are the best moving containers Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- Square Cow (4.9/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Houston, TX to Durham, NC
A rental truck for this 1,175-mile move from Houston, Texas, to Durham, North Carolina, costs between $703 and $2,023. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $366 - $418
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Houston daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Houston to Durham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $703 - $1,438
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $799 - $1,626
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,055 - $2,023
Pro tip: The base rate of $703 - $2,023 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Houston to Durham. Fuel ($366 - $418), lodging at around $147/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Houston, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $685.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $366 - $418 for the 1,175-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 $59 and $318, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $147 per night for hotel stops on the 1,175-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $293 - $440.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Houston 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 Houston, TX to Durham, NC
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Houston, Texas, 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 $880 and $2,506.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Houston to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,102 - $2,064
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,313 - $2,506
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,742 - $3,182
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $73 - $147 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Houston, Texas, typically costs $685.
What are the best freight companies from Houston to Durham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Houston 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: Houston, TX vs Durham, NC
Good news for your budget: Durham isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Houston. Cost of living index runs 99 there against 97 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 47/100 and 36.5/100 here versus 30/100 and 45.28/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Durham, NC to Houston, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to North Carolina, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 843 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,175-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Houston, TX, 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 $2,229 - $8,544 on the 1,175-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,273 - $4,355 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $703 - $2,023 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,618 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 Houston, TX, 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 36.5 and 63.5 in Houston. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Houston, TX 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 is the best time of year to move from Houston, TX 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.
How long does a move from Houston, TX to Durham, NC take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($366 - $418), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $147/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Houston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Houston handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.