North Carolina has been ranked among the top inbound states for over a decade, and in 2025 it remained near the top of every major carrier survey – Atlas Van Lines, United Van Lines (60% inbound in 2024), and Allied Van Lines all placed North Carolina in their top five for inbound volume. Wilmington recorded 83% inbound moves in the most recent United Van Lines data, among the highest of any metro in the country. Primary drivers are job growth in Charlotte and the Research Triangle, retirement migration, and the state’s relative affordability compared to the Northeast and West Coast. The major inbound corridor is I-95 from the Northeast and I-85 from Atlanta and the mid-Atlantic.
Intrastate household goods movers in North Carolina are regulated by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC). Before operating legally, a mover must obtain a Certificate of Exemption – identified by a “C number” – from the NCUC. The certificate must be displayed on trucks and referenced in all paid advertising. Movers using trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating over 26,000 pounds must also obtain an intrastate USDOT number. The NCUC publishes a list of certified carriers that consumers can check. For moves of 35 miles or less, movers charge hourly rates; for moves over 35 miles, rates are based on mileage, weight, boxes packed, and special services, all governed by the NCUC Maximum Rate Tariff. FMCSA registration applies to all interstate moves.
For consumer protection, the NCUC Public Staff’s Transportation Rates Division handles complaints (4326 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4300, phone (919) 733-7766). The North Carolina Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division offers an additional avenue for fraud complaints at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
Interstate move routes are dominated by I-85 connecting Charlotte to Atlanta and the mid-Atlantic, I-95 along the coast, and I-40 running east-west from Tennessee through Raleigh to Wilmington. Local moves within the Charlotte and Triangle metros are typically under 50 miles; cross-state moves from Charlotte to Wilmington or from the mountains to the coast run 200 to 300 miles. Local moves in North Carolina average approximately $105 per hour statewide, with Raleigh rates running closer to $125 per hour. Total costs typically range from around $397 for a studio to $3,485 for a larger home. Peak season is May through August; moving in spring or early fall generally offers better availability and pricing.
Top-Rated Movers in North Carolina
Athens Moving Experts
Address: Raleigh, NC (full street address not published on company website)
Website: https://athensmovingexperts.com
USDOT: #3205320
Athens Moving Experts has served the Raleigh-Durham area since 2015, holding NCUC Certificate C-2657 and Motor Carrier authority MC-204920. The company operates in both the Triangle region and Charlotte, covering the state’s two largest metro markets. Services include local and long-distance residential and commercial moves, packing, and specialty items including gun safes, pianos, and hot tubs. Rates are published transparently on the website at $195 per hour with a three-hour minimum and a $100 deposit. Athens has a 94% positive rating across 334 reviews and serves communities from Wake Forest to Apex and across to Charlotte.
Miracle Movers
Address: Raleigh and Wilmington, NC (full street addresses not published on company website)
Website: https://miraclemoversusa.com/nc
USDOT: #2461529
Miracle Movers is a family-owned company operating since 2014 with active NCUC certificates covering both its Raleigh location (C-2894) and Wilmington location (C-2562), giving it one of the widest geographic footprints of any locally owned mover in the state. Services include residential and commercial moves for both local and long-distance relocations, full packing and unpacking, climate-controlled storage, and portable self-storage container options. With two locations serving both the fast-growing Triangle market and the high-inbound Wilmington corridor, Miracle Movers is positioned to handle cross-state intrastate moves as well as metro-area local work. The company holds an 82 to 85% positive rating across multiple review platforms.
Next Stop Movers
Address: Capital Boulevard area, Raleigh, NC (full street address not published on company website)
Website: https://nextstopmoversnc.com
USDOT: #3619230
Next Stop Movers is a locally owned Raleigh company with over 20 years of combined industry experience and active NCUC Certificate C-2983, along with interstate Motor Carrier authority MC-1267633. Services cover local and long-distance residential and commercial moves, packing and unpacking, and climate-controlled storage. Hourly rates are published transparently: $130 per hour for two movers, $190 per hour for three movers, and $250 per hour for four movers. The company serves the greater Raleigh metro and surrounding communities within North Carolina.
Moving Companies in North Carolina: Common Questions
Is my mover required to be licensed in North Carolina?
Yes. Any company performing intrastate household goods moves within North Carolina must hold a Certificate of Exemption – identified by a “C number” – issued by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. The certificate number must appear on trucks and in all paid advertisements. You can verify a mover’s certificate status by contacting the NCUC Public Staff Transportation Rates Division at (919) 733-7766. For interstate moves, the company must also hold FMCSA registration with a valid USDOT number, which you can verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
How much does a local move typically cost in North Carolina?
Statewide, local moves average approximately $105 per hour. In Raleigh and the Triangle area, rates tend to run closer to $125 per hour. Total cost ranges from roughly $397 for a studio apartment move to $3,485 or more for a larger home, depending on home size, crew size, and services requested. Moves between major North Carolina metros – for example, Charlotte to Raleigh, a distance of about 170 miles – are priced differently from local moves and involve weight- and mileage-based rates under NCUC tariff rules rather than straight hourly billing.
How does North Carolina’s growth affect moving availability and timing?
North Carolina’s sustained status as a top inbound state – with 60% inbound moves in 2024 per United Van Lines – means demand for movers in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington runs consistently high, particularly from May through August. Booking four to eight weeks in advance is advisable during peak season. Wilmington, which recorded 83% inbound moves in 2025 data, sees particularly compressed capacity in the summer months due to both domestic migration and coastal vacation property transitions. Moving in September through March generally offers more availability and lower rates.
What is the Maximum Rate Tariff and how does it affect my move in North Carolina?
The NCUC Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT) sets the highest rates a certified mover may charge for intrastate moves within North Carolina. For moves of 35 miles or less, movers charge hourly rates capped by the MRT. For moves over 35 miles, rates are based on mileage, weight, boxes packed, and any special services, all within MRT limits. This means a mover cannot legally charge you more than the tariff allows for a given move. Ask any mover for their tariff schedule before signing an estimate to confirm their rates fall within MRT limits.
How do I file a complaint against a moving company in North Carolina?
For intrastate moves within North Carolina, file a complaint with the NCUC Public Staff Transportation Rates Division at 4326 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4300, or by calling (919) 733-7766. For fraud or deceptive practices, the North Carolina Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division can be reached at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. For interstate moves, file with FMCSA at protectyourmove.gov. Claims for loss or damage should be submitted to the mover in writing as soon as possible after delivery.