Moving from Raleigh, NC to Memphis, TN
About 750 miles across a state line, from North Carolina into Tennessee, 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 Raleigh, NC to Memphis, TN covers about 750 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,375 – $4,500 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 147 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 750 miles between North Carolina and Tennessee, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $3,375 – $4,500 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 14 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Raleigh to Memphis
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,531 – $3,375 | $1,823 – $2,430 | $1,215 – $1,620 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,038 – $4,050 | $2,187 – $2,916 | $1,458 – $1,944 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,375 – $4,500 | $2,430 – $3,240 | $1,620 – $2,160 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,881 – $5,175 | $2,794 – $3,726 | $1,863 – $2,484 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,388 – $5,850 | $3,159 – $4,212 | $2,106 – $2,808 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $5,063 – $6,750 | $3,645 – $4,860 | $2,430 – $3,240 |
Transport only, for an estimated 750 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, Raleigh to Memphis
750 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,750. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,375 to $4,500, 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 Raleigh to Memphis
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 147 people a year (±127) moved from Wake County, NC, home to Raleigh, to Shelby County, TN, home to Memphis. Going the other way: about 135 people a year (±121). Movers from Wake County make up 0.4% of the 33,594 people a year who moved into Shelby County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 11,741 people a year (±3,542) moving from North Carolina to Tennessee and about 8,763 people a year (±3,119) from Tennessee to North Carolina — a net gain for Tennessee of about 2,978 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Durham County, NC | 4,673 ±905 |
| Johnston County, NC | 4,404 ±1,159 |
| Orange County, NC | 1,930 ±364 |
| Mecklenburg County, NC | 1,862 ±413 |
| Pitt County, NC | 1,860 ±427 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| DeSoto County, MS | 2,448 ±743 |
| Rutherford County, TN | 1,527 ±362 |
| Crittenden County, AR | 1,270 ±538 |
| Davidson County, TN | 1,190 ±425 |
| Jefferson County, KY | 819 ±698 |
Licensed movers at each end
56 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Raleigh (110 counting those licensed only inside North Carolina). 26 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 28.8% of their 66 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All American RelocationUSDOT 917428 | Raleigh · 6 mi | 41 trucks | 4 | 33.3% of 3 |
| Zippy ShellUSDOT 2574332 | Wake Forest · 15 mi | 35 trucks | 4 | 33.3% of 3 |
| Trosa MovingUSDOT 675014 | Durham · 21 mi | 32 trucks | 11 | 0.0% of 5 |
| Miracle Movers RaleighUSDOT 3139734 | Durham · 16 mi | 20 trucks | 2 | — |
| Movin on MoversUSDOT 4017538 | Fuquay-Varina · 20 mi | 19 trucks | 0 | — |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of RaleighUSDOT 906054 | Raleigh · 12 mi | 16 trucks | 1 | 100.0% of 1 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Memphis end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Memphis: Lanigan Worldwide Moving & Warehousing Inc (Memphis, 20 trucks), Big League Movers Inc (Memphis, 20 trucks), Guardian Moving Systems Inc (Memphis, 17 trucks), Cooper & Cooper Moving Inc (Memphis, 13 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from North Carolina into Tennessee, 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 Raleigh to Memphis
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 750 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Memphis
A local move inside Memphis 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 Memphis are Little Rock (about 151 mi), Jackson (about 229 mi), Nashville (about 230 mi).
Other routes from Raleigh
All routes from Raleigh, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh to Durham, NC | ~24 mi | $455 – $733 |
| Raleigh to Chapel Hill, NC | ~29 mi | $455 – $733 |
| Raleigh to Fayetteville, NC | ~60 mi | $455 – $733 |
| Raleigh to Greensboro, NC | ~79 mi | $455 – $733 |
| Raleigh to Winston-Salem, NC | ~109 mi | $491 – $654 |
| Raleigh to Charlotte, NC | ~151 mi | $680 – $906 |
| Raleigh to Myrtle Beach, SC | ~168 mi | $756 – $1,008 |
| Raleigh to Virginia Beach, VA | ~193 mi | $869 – $1,158 |
Also moving to Memphis: from Little Rock, AR, from Jackson, MS, from Nashville, TN, from Birmingham, AL.
Raleigh to Memphis moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Raleigh to Memphis?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 750 miles cost about $2,531 – $3,375 for a studio, $3,375 – $4,500 for a two-bedroom home and $3,881 – $5,175 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Raleigh to Memphis take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 14 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Raleigh to Memphis?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,620 – $2,160 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,375 – $4,500 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,430 – $3,240.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Raleigh to Memphis?
Yes. Raleigh is in North Carolina and Memphis is in Tennessee, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 56 listed movers within 30 miles of Raleigh hold it.
How many people move from Raleigh to Memphis each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 147 people a year (margin of error ±127) moved from Wake County, which contains Raleigh, to Shelby County, which contains Memphis.
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.