Best Long-Distance Movers in South Carolina for 2024
Quick answer: Safeway Moving is our top choice for long-distance movers in South Carolina. Based on our in-depth research and analysis, Safeway Moving offers the best overall value by providing quality service at an affordable price.
Every move is different, so depending on your specific circumstances and budget, you may want to consider Safeway or one of our other recommendations for the best long-distance moving company.
- Best overall value: Safeway Moving
- Best SC-based company: Two Men and a Truck
- Best moving container: U-Pack
- Best labor-only company: HireAHelper
- Best DIY option: U-Haul Truck Rental
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Whether you're moving out of state — or just across the state — we'll walk you through the best national movers and South Carolina companies based on pricing, services, and customer satisfaction.
Why trust moveBuddha?
Since 2015, we’ve used our inside knowledge of the moving industry to help more than 400,000 people with their moves.
We go beyond the standard online review to dig deep into our readers’ personal moving experiences through our Better Moves Project. We’ve also developed our own rating system to evaluate each moving company based on their services, reputation, customer satisfaction, and other key factors.
Our content is thoroughly fact-checked and reviewed by our team of in-house experts to ensure the information you get is relevant, accurate, and up-to-date.
Best interstate movers for those moving out of South Carolina
These are the best state-to-state long-distance moving companies available in South Carolina:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- JK Moving Services: 4.6 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
- Guaranteed pickup & delivery
- $250 deposit for interstate moves
- Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
- Financing available
Best long-distance movers if you’re staying in South Carolina
While it’s not as common, if you’re staying in South Carolina but still moving a couple hundred miles, these are the best interstate movers for you:
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Carey Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Gentlemen Movers Inc.: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Ballantyne & Beyond Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Two Men and a Truck
DOT #: 2527384
Years in Business: 21
2731 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC 29611 USTwo Men and a Truck has been a trusted local residential moving company in Greenville, SC since 2003. Offering comprehensive services, including packing, unpacking, and labor-only options, they also specialize in moving heavy items like pianos and safes. While their Yelp reviews are mixed, with an average rating of 2.8 from 37 reviews, their Google My Business profile boasts a much higher average rating of 4.7 from 730 reviews. With a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, they stand out among local movers for their reliability and customer satisfaction.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2527384
- State license #: 9664-B
Alternative Business Names
- Upward Endeavors, LLC
All My Sons Moving & Storage
DOT #: 902281
Years in Business: 24
211 Fairforest Way, Greenville, SC 29607 USAll My Sons Moving & Storage, serving Greenville, SC since 2000, specializes in local residential moving services and boasts a solid reputation for reliability and professionalism. Unlike some competitors, they provide comprehensive options including packing, unpacking, and crating services, making them a versatile choice for various moving needs. Their consumer reviews reflect a mixed reputation: a strong 4.4 average rating on Google with 1456 reviews contrasts with a lower 1.2 average rating on Yelp from 163 reviews, but their A rating from the BBB suggests a commitment to quality customer service. While they do require a deposit, they accept credit cards, adding convenience for their clients.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 902281
- State license #: 9715-G
Alternative Business Names
- All My Sons Moving & Storage of Greenville, LLC
Carey Moving & Storage
DOT #: 076235
Years in Business: 46
930 Monks Grove Church Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29303Carey Moving & Storage, based in Spartanburg, SC, has been a trusted name in local residential moving services since 1978. Unlike many nearby competitors, Carey also offers long-distance and international residential moving services, as well as specialized options like packing, unpacking, and crating. Their commitment to customer satisfaction is reflected in their Google reviews, boasting an impressive 4.6 average rating from 160 reviews, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. While their Yelp presence is less favorable, with a lower average rating, the overall sentiment remains positive. Carey Moving & Storage stands out for accepting credit cards and requiring no deposit, making them a convenient and reputable choice for local moves.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 076235
- State license #: 2973
Alternative Business Names
- Allied Van Lines Agent
- Arrow Moving & Storage
- Carey Moving & Storage, Inc.
- Allied International Charlotte
Local Associations
Gentlemen Movers Inc.
DOT #: 1442337
Years in Business: 20
1001 Pinnacle Point Drive, Columbia, SC 29223 USGentlemen Movers Inc., based in Columbia, SC, has been providing reliable local residential moving services since 2004. They stand out in the area by also offering packing and unpacking services, and they accept credit cards with no deposit required. While their Yelp profile shows mixed reviews with an average rating of 2.0 from 21 reviews, their Google My Business profile boasts a higher average rating of 4.0 from 110 reviews, complemented by an impressive Better Business Bureau rating of A+. Compared to other local movers, Gentlemen Movers Inc. provides a versatile set of services and has a strong track record of customer satisfaction.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Grandfather clocks
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1442337
- State license #: 9756
Ballantyne & Beyond Moving
DOT #: 2557751
Years in Business: 16
1228 Transformation Ln, Fort Mill, SC 29707Ballantyne & Beyond Moving, established in 2009, offers top-notch local residential moving services in and around Fort Mill, SC. Unlike many competitors, they extend their expertise to long-distance and international moves, as well as office relocations, and provide comprehensive packing and unpacking services. With a Better Business Bureau rating of A+ and an impressive 4.7-star average from 134 Google reviews, their reputation stands strong, although their Yelp average of 3.5 suggests some room for improvement. Flexible payment options, including credit cards and no required deposit, make them a convenient choice for a stress-free moving experience.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2557751
- State license #: 9784-A
Alternative long-distance moving options
While hiring full-service moving companies out of South Carolina is usually the easiest option, it’s not for everyone.
Moving containers
If you’re comfortable doing the packing and loading but don’t want to drive from South Carolina to your new state, a moving container can be a great cost-saving alternative.
Expect to pay somewhere around $739 to $6,890 for a moving container in South Carolina. The cost depends on several factors, so we recommend getting multiple moving quotes.
We suggest starting with:
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
Labor-only
If you’re comfortable doing the driving from South Carolina to your new state but want some help packing, loading, and unloading, look for labor-only moving companies.
You’ll typically pay $37 to $41 per hour per worker for South Carolina-based labor-only movers.
Here are our top recommendations:
- HireAHelper: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Total DIY
The cheapest way to move out of state is with a full DIY approach — meaning you’ll handle driving, in addition to all the loading and unloading.
These moving rental trucks do require the most work on your part, but will save you the most money:
- U-Haul Truck Rental: 4.15 out of 5 stars
- Penske Truck Rental: 4 out of 5 stars
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
How we picked the best long-distance movers in South Carolina
Over the past 10 years, we’ve developed a rigorous review process to identify the absolute best long-distance moving companies in South Carolina.
We look at:
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
- Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, expedited delivery, and more.
Read more about our moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of a long-distance move out of South Carolina
Long-distance moving costs in South Carolina range from $1,155 up to $12,087 or more, depending on the specific details of your relocation.
Factors that affect the cost
- Size: The volume of items you're moving directly affects costs. Evaluate what you truly need in South Carolina — every extra item adds up.
- Distance: The distance you’re moving away from South Carolina is a major cost factor. Whether it's a couple hundred miles or a cross-country trek, distance plays a key role in your moving budget.
- Type of move: How you choose to move out of South Carolina is crucial. Your options include a full-service moving company, truck rental, moving container, or a freight trailer. Each option comes with a different price point and its own set of perks and downsides.
- Services: Consider whether to do it yourself or hire help for packing and unpacking. Professional services add convenience but also increase costs.
- Seasonal timing: When you move affects the price. Summer moves are typically more expensive. Planning your move during the off-season (October-April) can be more cost-effective.
To get an accurate cost estimate, check out our free moving cost calculator.
Thing to consider before hiring a long-distance mover in South Carolina
Whether you’re staying in South Carolina for the warm southern hospitality, plentiful outdoor activities, and beautiful landscapes, or moving out due to the high cost of living, hurricane frequency, and low quality of healthcare, here’s what you need to consider before your big move.
Company licensing
To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers.
Insurance options
When moving in South Carolina, explore movers' insurance options. Many offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, discuss Full Value Protection with the moving company or consider third-party insurance providers. Prioritize understanding coverage limits and potential extra costs. Read reviews to make an informed decision on the best insurance for your South Carolina move.
Moving date
Weather factors influence how busy movers are, so those things play into the availability of movers and the cost.
In South Carolina, you have to consider that the average winter temperature is 33°F, the average summer temperature is 91°F, you’ll see 48” of rain, and about 1” of snow each year.
Taking your car
If you’re moving across the country and don’t want to leave your car (or drive it cross-country), you may want to use an South Carolina car shipper.
You’ll also want to consider vehicle inspections in your new location, as regulations can differ state to state and even by city. Take South Carolina’s requirements, as an example. Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.