Moving From Guide

Moving From Dallas, TX

Everything you need to know about leaving Dallas — from top destinations and moving tips to your farewell checklist.

Population: 1,304,379COL Index: 102Median Home: $320,000Avg Winter: 36°F

Why People Leave Dallas

Every city has its trade-offs. Here are the most common reasons residents decide it's time to move on from Dallas.

1

Limited walkability and car-dependent infrastructure frustrate residents who prefer urban convenience and shorter commutes.

2

Career opportunities elsewhere attract ambitious professionals looking for growth in emerging job markets.

3

Many residents seek a change of pace — whether it's a smaller community, different climate, or closer proximity to family.

Top Destinations From Dallas

Explore the most popular places people move to when leaving Dallas, with distance, drive time, and cost comparisons.

New York, NY

1,550 miles
23 hour drive
via I-81 South / I-40 West

Los Angeles, CA

1,440 miles
21 hour drive
via I-10 East / I-20 East

Chicago, IL

920 miles
14 hour drive
via I-55 South / I-44 West

Houston, TX

240 miles
3.5 hour drive
via I-45 North

Austin, TX

195 miles
3 hour drive
via I-35 South

Nashville, TN

660 miles
10 hour drive
via I-30 East / I-40 East

Denver, CO

780 miles
12 hour drive
via US-287 North

Atlanta, GA

780 miles
12 hour drive
via I-20 East

Phoenix, AZ

1,065 miles
15 hour drive
via I-20 West / I-10 West

San Antonio, TX

275 miles
4 hour drive
via I-35 South

Charlotte, NC

940 miles
14 hour drive
via I-20 East / I-85 North

Los Angeles, CA

1,440 miles
21 hour drive
via I-20 West / I-10 West

Denver, CO

780 miles
12 hour drive
via I-25 South / US-287 South

Atlanta, GA

780 miles
12 hour drive
via I-20 West

Phoenix, AZ

1,065 miles
15 hour drive
via I-10 East / I-20 East

Nashville, TN

660 miles
10 hour drive
via I-40 West / I-30 West

Minneapolis, MN

940 miles
14 hour drive
via I-35 South

St. Louis, MO

640 miles
9.5 hour drive
via I-44 West

Kansas City, MO

510 miles
7.5 hour drive
via I-35 South

Miami, FL

1,310 miles
19 hour drive
via I-75 North / I-10 West

Memphis, TN

450 miles
7 hour drive
via I-40 West / I-30 West

New Orleans, LA

510 miles
7.5 hour drive
via I-20 West

Philadelphia, PA

1,687 miles
30.7 hour drive
via I-20 East

San Diego, CA

1,536 miles
27.9 hour drive
via I-20 West

San Jose, CA

1,884 miles
34.3 hour drive
via I-20 West

Jacksonville, FL

1,179 miles
21.4 hour drive
via I-20 East

Fort Worth, TX

40 miles
0.7 hour drive
via I-20 West

Columbus, OH

1,186 miles
21.6 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

Indianapolis, IN

993 miles
18.1 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

San Francisco, CA

1,925 miles
35 hour drive
via I-20 West

Seattle, WA

2,184 miles
39.7 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 West

Oklahoma City, OK

248 miles
4.5 hour drive
via I-35 North

El Paso, TX

741 miles
13.5 hour drive
via I-20 West

Washington, DC

1,537 miles
27.9 hour drive
via I-20 East

Las Vegas, NV

1,390 miles
25.3 hour drive
via I-20 West

Louisville, KY

944 miles
17.2 hour drive
via I-20 East

Portland, OR

2,121 miles
38.6 hour drive
via I-20 West

Baltimore, MD

1,574 miles
28.6 hour drive
via I-20 East

Milwaukee, WI

1,115 miles
20.3 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

Albuquerque, NM

763 miles
13.9 hour drive
via I-20 West

Tucson, AZ

1,074 miles
19.5 hour drive
via I-20 West

Fresno, CA

1,729 miles
31.4 hour drive
via I-20 West

Sacramento, CA

1,869 miles
34 hour drive
via I-20 West

Mesa, AZ

1,132 miles
20.6 hour drive
via I-20 West

Omaha, NE

764 miles
13.9 hour drive
via I-35 North

Colorado Springs, CO

798 miles
14.5 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 West

Raleigh, NC

1,372 miles
24.9 hour drive
via I-20 East

Tampa, FL

1,192 miles
21.7 hour drive
via I-20 East

Orlando, FL

1,249 miles
22.7 hour drive
via I-20 East

Pittsburgh, PA

1,390 miles
25.3 hour drive
via I-20 East

Cincinnati, OH

1,057 miles
19.2 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

Boise, ID

1,674 miles
30.4 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 West

Richmond, VA

1,482 miles
26.9 hour drive
via I-20 East

Salt Lake City, UT

1,299 miles
23.6 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 West

Honolulu, HI

4,927 miles
89.6 hour drive
via I-20 West

Charleston, SC

1,272 miles
23.1 hour drive
via I-20 East

Savannah, GA

1,191 miles
21.7 hour drive
via I-20 East

Knoxville, TN

996 miles
18.1 hour drive
via I-20 East

Fort Lauderdale, FL

1,431 miles
26 hour drive
via I-20 East

Chattanooga, TN

880 miles
16 hour drive
via I-20 East

Madison, WI

1,062 miles
19.3 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

Grand Rapids, MI

1,206 miles
21.9 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

Huntsville, AL

782 miles
14.2 hour drive
via I-20 East

Greenville, SC

1,090 miles
19.8 hour drive
via I-20 East

Asheville, NC

1,087 miles
19.8 hour drive
via I-20 East

Des Moines, IA

823 miles
15 hour drive
via I-35 North

Spokane, WA

1,935 miles
35.2 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 West

Birmingham, AL

754 miles
13.7 hour drive
via I-20 East

Sioux Falls, SD

967 miles
17.6 hour drive
via I-35 North

Fargo, ND

1,267 miles
23 hour drive
via I-35 North

Scottsdale, AZ

1,139 miles
20.7 hour drive
via I-20 West

Arlington, TX

24 miles
0.4 hour drive
via I-20 West

Aurora, CO

853 miles
15.5 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 West

Bakersfield, CA

1,666 miles
30.3 hour drive
via I-20 West

Anaheim, CA

1,585 miles
28.8 hour drive
via I-20 West

Santa Ana, CA

1,582 miles
28.8 hour drive
via I-20 West

Long Beach, CA

1,607 miles
29.2 hour drive
via I-20 West

Virginia Beach, VA

1,575 miles
28.6 hour drive
via I-20 East

Rochester, NY

1,642 miles
29.9 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

Finding Movers in Dallas

Navigating the moving company landscape can be overwhelming. Here's what to keep in mind when hiring movers in Dallas.

Get Multiple Quotes

Always get at least 3 in-home or virtual estimates. Prices in Dallas can vary by 30-50% between companies for the same move.

Verify Licenses

Check USDOT numbers for interstate moves and state licensing for local moves. Avoid movers who only accept cash or won't provide written estimates.

Time It Right

Moving during off-peak months (October–April) can save 20-30%. Midweek moves are also typically cheaper than weekend slots in Dallas.

Packing Up in Dallas

Packing up a house in Dallas? These tips will save you time, money, and headaches on moving day.

Start with the Garage

Homes in Dallas often accumulate years of garage clutter. Start there — you'll free up staging space and reduce your load.

Protect Your Floors

Use furniture sliders on hardwood and carpet protectors on stairs. Moving heavy furniture can cause costly damage to your home.

Label by Room and Priority

Color-code boxes by destination room and mark 'open first' essentials. You'll thank yourself on unpacking day.

Handle Yard Equipment Early

Drain fuel from mowers, blowers, and trimmers. These items need special handling and should be prepped days before the move.

Photograph Your Setup

Take photos of how electronics, shelving, and wall art are arranged. It makes recreating your space in your new home much easier.

Your Dallas Farewell Checklist

Don't leave anything behind (except the memories). Complete these 10 essential tasks before your last day in Dallas.

Cancel or transfer utilities (electric, gas, water, internet)
Forward your mail through USPS (set up at least 2 weeks early)
Update your address with banks, insurance, and subscriptions
Transfer or obtain new vehicle registration and driver's license
Notify your employer and update payroll records
Say goodbye to neighbors, friends, and colleagues
Get copies of medical and dental records
Close or transfer local gym memberships and services
Return library books, rented equipment, and borrowed items
Do a final walkthrough and document the condition of your home

Ready to Leave Dallas?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers experienced with Dallas relocations.