Moving from Washington, DC to Durham, NC
About 262 miles across a state line, from District of Columbia into North Carolina, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Washington, DC to Durham, NC covers about 262 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $1,179 – $1,572 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 172 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 262 miles, about 5 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $1,179 – $1,572. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 5 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Washington to Durham
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $884 – $1,179 | $637 – $849 | $424 – $566 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,061 – $1,415 | $764 – $1,019 | $509 – $679 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,179 – $1,572 | $849 – $1,132 | $566 – $755 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,356 – $1,808 | $976 – $1,302 | $651 – $868 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,533 – $2,044 | $1,104 – $1,471 | $736 – $981 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,769 – $2,358 | $1,273 – $1,698 | $849 – $1,132 |
Transport only, for an estimated 262 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Washington to Durham
262 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,310. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $1,179 to $1,572, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Washington to Durham
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 172 people a year (±116) moved from District of Columbia, DC, home to Washington, to Durham County, NC, home to Durham. Going the other way: about 453 people a year (±153). Movers from District of Columbia make up 0.6% of the 27,422 people a year who moved into Durham County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 2,078 people a year (±1,773) moving from District of Columbia to North Carolina and about 1,392 people a year (±689) from North Carolina to District of Columbia — a net gain for North Carolina of about 686 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Prince George's County, MD | 10,730 ±1,168 |
| Montgomery County, MD | 5,618 ±673 |
| Arlington County, VA | 3,566 ±703 |
| Fairfax County, VA | 2,910 ±534 |
| New York County, NY | 1,703 ±345 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Wake County, NC | 4,673 ±905 |
| Orange County, NC | 2,544 ±637 |
| Mecklenburg County, NC | 798 ±386 |
| Davidson County, NC | 743 ±281 |
| Granville County, NC | 625 ±362 |
Licensed movers at each end
299 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Washington (481 counting those licensed only inside District of Columbia). 168 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.8% of their 949 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JK Moving ServicesUSDOT 1065394 | Sterling · 24 mi | 173 trucks | 107 | 12.3% of 57 |
| Eagle Van Lines IncUSDOT 388638 | Temple Hills · 8 mi | 72 trucks | 94 | 37.7% of 53 |
| Town and Country Movers IncUSDOT 418499 | Gaithersburg · 20 mi | 64 trucks | 75 | 18.9% of 53 |
| A&A Transfer LLCUSDOT 503883 | Chantilly · 26 mi | 62 trucks | 9 | 33.3% of 3 |
| MG Moving ServicesUSDOT 2455961 | Sterling · 24 mi | 58 trucks | 38 | 11.1% of 18 |
| Executive Moving Systems IncUSDOT 487595 | Woodbridge · 22 mi | 34 trucks | 20 | 33.3% of 12 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Durham end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Durham: All American Relocation (Raleigh, 41 trucks), Zippy Shell (Wake Forest, 35 trucks), Trosa Moving (Durham, 32 trucks), Excel Moving & Storage Inc (Raleigh, 32 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from District of Columbia into North Carolina, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Washington to Durham
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 262 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
Arriving in Durham
A local move inside Durham later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $455 – $733 for a two-bedroom home and $759 – $1,344 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Durham are Chapel Hill (about 11 mi), Raleigh (about 24 mi), Greensboro (about 58 mi).
Other routes from Washington
All routes from Washington, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington to Arlington, VA | ~4 mi | $525 – $873 |
| Washington to Annapolis, MD | ~35 mi | $525 – $873 |
| Washington to Baltimore, MD | ~42 mi | $525 – $873 |
| Washington to Frederick, MD | ~48 mi | $525 – $873 |
| Washington to Richmond, VA | ~112 mi | $504 – $672 |
| Washington to Wilmington, DE | ~115 mi | $518 – $690 |
| Washington to Philadelphia, PA | ~144 mi | $648 – $864 |
| Washington to Norfolk, VA | ~172 mi | $774 – $1,032 |
Also moving to Durham: from Chapel Hill, NC, from Raleigh, NC, from Greensboro, NC, from Fayetteville, NC.
Washington to Durham moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Washington to Durham?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 262 miles cost about $884 – $1,179 for a studio, $1,179 – $1,572 for a two-bedroom home and $1,356 – $1,808 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Washington to Durham take?
The drive is about 5 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Washington to Durham?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $566 – $755 for a two-bedroom home, against $1,179 – $1,572 with full-service movers; a moving container is $849 – $1,132.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Washington to Durham?
Yes. Washington is in District of Columbia and Durham is in North Carolina, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 299 listed movers within 30 miles of Washington hold it.
How many people move from Washington to Durham each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 172 people a year (margin of error ±116) moved from District of Columbia, which contains Washington, to Durham County, which contains Durham.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.