Wilmington, NC → Cary, NC · Short-haul move
About 143 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,030–$3,020, delivery in 1–2 days, 93 carriers on the Wilmington side and 514 in Cary.
The route from Wilmington, NC to Cary, NC covers roughly 143 miles by road, a northwest-bound trip that falls into the short-haul move category for pricing purposes.
Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 3 h 10 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,030 and $3,020, before packing or storage.
On the Wilmington side there are 93 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (53 of them authorized for interstate work), and 514 around Cary (277 interstate). For an in-state move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Cary.
Wilmington has a population of about 126,809 and Cary about 183,582. Cary is the denser city (2,951 people per square mile versus 2,246 in Wilmington), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,190 | $1,460 | $1,780 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,220 | $1,490 | $1,810 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,030 | $2,480 | $3,020 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $3,250 | $3,960 | $4,840 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $4,470 | $5,450 | $6,650 |
$300–$420
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,150–$1,690
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,030–$3,020
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Wilmington, NC → Cary, NC. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Anders Williams Trucking Company
Legal name: Coastal Carriers INC
Legal name: T & K Moving INC
Legal name: Nhb Wilmington LLC
Legal name: Just Move It LLC
Legal name: Seadawgs Enterprises INC
Legal name: Miracle Movers Of Raleigh LLC
Legal name: C&l Transport INC
Legal name: Sg Of Raleigh LLC
Legal name: Armstrong Relocation Company INC Raleigh North Carolina
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,190 to $1,780 for a studio, $1,220 to $1,810 for a one-bedroom, $2,030 to $3,020 for a two-bedroom, $3,250 to $4,840 for a three-bedroom and $4,470 to $6,650 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 143 road miles (121 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 10 min.
Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.
No. Because both Wilmington and Cary are in North Carolina, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $300 to $420 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,150 to $1,690. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.
Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Wilmington–Cary corridor.