Moving from Fargo, ND to Bismarck, ND
About 220 miles inside North Dakota. Past the 100-mile local band movers price on distance and weight, but because the truck never crosses a state line the move is regulated by North Dakota, not by the federal FMCSA. That changes which licence to check and which estimate rules protect you.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Fargo, ND to Bismarck, ND covers about 220 miles and is a move within North Dakota. Full-service movers cost $990 – $1,320 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 363 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 220 miles, about 4 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 $990 – $1,320. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Within North Dakota
- Driving
- about 4 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Fargo to Bismarck
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $743 – $990 | $535 – $713 | $356 – $475 |
| 1 bedroom | $891 – $1,188 | $642 – $855 | $428 – $570 |
| 2 bedrooms | $990 – $1,320 | $713 – $950 | $475 – $634 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,138 – $1,518 | $820 – $1,093 | $546 – $729 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,287 – $1,716 | $927 – $1,236 | $618 – $824 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,485 – $1,980 | $1,069 – $1,426 | $713 – $950 |
Transport only, for an estimated 220 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, Fargo to Bismarck
220 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,100. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $990 to $1,320, 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 Fargo to Bismarck
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 363 people a year (±143) moved from Cass County, ND, home to Fargo, to Burleigh County, ND, home to Bismarck. Going the other way: about 1,187 people a year (±523). Movers from Cass County make up 6.8% of the 5,359 people a year who moved into Burleigh County from another county or state.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Clay County, MN | 2,741 ±697 |
| Grand Forks County, ND | 1,045 ±348 |
| Hennepin County, MN | 527 ±178 |
| Burleigh County, ND | 363 ±143 |
| Maricopa County, AZ | 326 ±164 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Morton County, ND | 891 ±319 |
| Cass County, ND | 363 ±143 |
| Grand Forks County, ND | 354 ±212 |
| Ward County, ND | 292 ±141 |
| Mountrail County, ND | 247 ±242 |
Licensed movers at each end
11 household-goods carriers are based within 30 miles of Fargo. 4 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 8.8% of their 34 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest Moving Midwest Moving Company Mmco MMCUSDOT 3263587 | West Fargo · 7 mi | 33 trucks | 77 | 9.4% of 32 |
| 5 Star Moving IncUSDOT 1087336 | Fargo · 4 mi | 4 trucks | 0 | — |
| The Apartment MoversUSDOT 513176 | West Fargo · 7 mi | 3 trucks | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Schmidt and Sons Building Movers IncUSDOT 1178202 | Kindred · 20 mi | 3 trucks | 0 | — |
| Simple MovesUSDOT 4483504 | Fargo · 2 mi | 2 trucks | 0 | — |
| Union Storage and Transfer CompanyUSDOT 282209 | Fargo · 2 mi | 2 trucks | 0 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the Bismarck end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Bismarck: Aaction Movers (Bismarck, 37 trucks), 2 Vets Moving Company (Bismarck, 11 trucks), Hometown Moving Inc (Mandan, 3 trucks), Quality Movers LLC (Bismarck, 2 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Both ends are in North Dakota, so North Dakota rather than the FMCSA regulates the move: ask the mover which North Dakota licence or registration it holds and check it with the state. The federal 110% cap on non-binding estimates does not reach a move inside North Dakota, so your protection on this 220-mile job is the estimate you sign; ask for it binding or not-to-exceed. More in binding vs non-binding estimates.
Before you book Fargo to Bismarck
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 220 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 Bismarck
A local move inside Bismarck later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $525 – $873 for a two-bedroom home and $885 – $1,614 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Bismarck are Fargo (about 220 mi), Rapid City (about 260 mi), Sioux Falls (about 349 mi).
Other routes from Fargo
All routes from Fargo, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo to Minneapolis, MN | ~250 mi | $1,125 – $1,500 |
| Fargo to Saint Paul, MN | ~259 mi | $1,166 – $1,554 |
| Fargo to Sioux Falls, SD | ~268 mi | $1,206 – $1,608 |
| Fargo to Rochester, MN | ~336 mi | $1,512 – $2,016 |
| Fargo to Salt Lake City, UT | ~1,004 mi | $4,518 – $6,024 |
| Fargo to Atlanta, GA | ~1,300 mi | $5,850 – $7,800 |
| Fargo to Washington, DC | ~1,326 mi | $5,967 – $7,956 |
| Fargo to Phoenix, AZ | ~1,429 mi | $6,431 – $8,574 |
Fargo to Bismarck moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Fargo to Bismarck?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 220 miles cost about $743 – $990 for a studio, $990 – $1,320 for a two-bedroom home and $1,138 – $1,518 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Fargo to Bismarck take?
The drive is about 4 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 Fargo to Bismarck?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $475 – $634 for a two-bedroom home, against $990 – $1,320 with full-service movers; a moving container is $713 – $950.
Is Fargo to Bismarck an interstate move?
No. Both cities are in North Dakota, so the move is regulated by North Dakota rather than by the federal FMCSA. The carrier needs a USDOT number and whatever North Dakota requires of household-goods movers; interstate authority (an MC number) is not required for this job. The federal 110% rule on non-binding estimates does not apply either, which is a good reason to ask for a binding estimate.
How many people move from Fargo to Bismarck each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 363 people a year (margin of error ±143) moved from Cass County, which contains Fargo, to Burleigh County, which contains Bismarck.
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.