($808+) Plano, TX to Durham, NC Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Plano, TX to Durham, NC

Moving from Plano, TX, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $815 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,236 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,176 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 $2,295, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,236 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,324 - $4,262, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $815 - $2,232.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Plano, TX, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,916 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Plano, TX to Durham, NC

Moving options from Plano 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 $2,916 - $6,920 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 1,176 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,176-mile route from Plano to Durham, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,295 - $5,007 $1,324 - $2,480 $815 - $1,449 $1,145 - $2,253
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,916 - $6,920 $1,740 - $3,220 $839 - $1,831 $1,352 - $2,550
4+ bedrooms $4,884 - $9,236 $2,377 - $4,262 $1,023 - $2,232 $1,829 - $3,410

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 Plano, TX to Durham, NC

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,176-mile move from Plano, Texas, to Durham, North Carolina, with costs ranging from $2,295 - $9,236. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $320 - $2,136. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Plano and Durham. Local movers in Plano typically start around $181 as a base rate plus $92/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Plano to Durham:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,295 - $5,007
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,916 - $6,920
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,884 - $9,236

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 Plano 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: 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 Plano, TX to Durham, NC

Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Plano 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 packing98% of local movers$534 - $5,340
Storage in transitNew place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$214 - $1,282/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$320 - $2,563
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage25% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs68% of local movers$1,068 - $3,204
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,670 - $10,680
Car shippingSecond vehicle$800 - $1,520
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items49% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$1,068 - $2,670
PianoAny piano type65% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$854 - $3,738
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling35% of local movers$320 - $1,602
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$694 - $2,136
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$320 - $16,020+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$320 - $3,738+

What are the best full-service movers from Plano 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Plano, TX. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.

Moving container costs from Plano, TX to Durham, NC

Moving containers from Plano, Texas, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $1,324 and $4,262. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Plano typically runs around $80/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,324 - $2,480
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,740 - $3,220
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,377 - $4,262

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Plano, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $748, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $80 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $160 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Plano, TX, and Durham, NC, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
  • Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.

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 $1,324. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,740 - $3,220, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Plano 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 Plano 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 Plano:

  • AB Moving (4.8/5), 26 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 16 years in business
  • Wrightway Moving Company (4.8/5), 25 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Plano, TX to Durham, NC

Renting a moving truck for the 1,176-mile move from Plano, Texas, to Durham, North Carolina, costs between $815 and $2,232, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $400 - $457
  • Daily insurance: $32/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
  • Plano daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
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 Plano to Durham based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $815 - $1,449
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $839 - $1,831
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,023 - $2,232

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $815 - $2,232 when pricing out a rental truck from Plano to Durham. Fuel alone runs ($400 - $457) , and overnight lodging ($160/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

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 $80 and $374.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $160.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $400 and $457 for the 1,176-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 $748 for 2 movers in Plano, Texas, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Plano 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 Plano, TX to Durham, NC

If you're moving a larger household from Plano, Texas, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Durham, North Carolina.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,352 and $2,550.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,145 - $2,253
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,352 - $2,550
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,829 - $3,410

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a 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 Plano, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $748.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $80 and $160 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Plano to Durham?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Hazel's Expedited Freight (4.62/5 stars): Hazel's Expedited Freight 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: 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: Plano, TX vs Durham, NC

Good news for your budget: Durham isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Plano. Cost of living index runs 99 there against 112 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 41/100 and 76.98/100 here versus 30/100 and 45.28/100 there.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Durham, NC to Plano, TX guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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 289 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 1,176-mile move.

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Our take

For a move from Plano, TX, to Durham, NC, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,295 for a studio to $9,236 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,176-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,324 - $4,262. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $815 - $2,232, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,916 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live 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 Plano, TX, 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 ($400 - $457), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $160/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

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 Plano, 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.

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 76.98 and 23.02 in Plano. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

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

About 65% of movers in Plano handle piano moves, and 49% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.