($648+) Hartford, CT to Charleston, SC Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from Hartford, CT to Charleston, SC

Moving from Hartford, CT, to Charleston, SC, runs anywhere from $635 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,499 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 878 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

  • Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,895, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,499 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,116 - $3,871, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $635 - $1,647.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Hartford, CT, to Charleston, SC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,322 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Hartford, CT to Charleston, SC

Moving options from Hartford to Charleston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,322 - $5,664 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 878-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 878-mile route from Hartford to Charleston, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,895 - $4,295, container $1,116 - $2,066, rental truck $635 - $1,247, freight trailer $1,079 - $1,820.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,322 - $5,664, container $1,435 - $2,927, rental truck $712 - $1,383, freight trailer $1,232 - $2,294.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,738 - $7,499, container $1,910 - $3,871, rental truck $825 - $1,647, freight trailer $1,528 - $3,160.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Hartford, CT to Charleston, SC

Hiring full-service movers from Hartford, Connecticut, to Charleston, South Carolina, costs between $1,895 and $7,499. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 878-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $323 - $2,156, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Hartford and Charleston. For a rough baseline, movers based in Hartford tend to start around $300 plus $180/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Hartford to Charleston:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,895 - $4,295
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,322 - $5,664
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,738 - $7,499

Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Hartford to Charleston.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Connecticut to South Carolina. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.

Don't see your company listed?

Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from Hartford, CT to Charleston, SC

Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Hartford movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Charleston, 60% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$539 - $5,390
Storage in transitNew place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$216 - $1,294/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$323 - $2,587
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers$1,078 - $3,234
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,695 - $10,780
Car shippingSecond vehicle$807 - $1,534
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items47% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$1,078 - $2,695
PianoAny piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$862 - $3,773
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling15% of local movers$323 - $1,617
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Fallon Moving & Storage$701 - $2,156
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$323 - $16,170+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$323 - $3,773+

What are the best full-service movers from Hartford to Charleston?

South Carolina Trucking Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in South Carolina, on top of the picks below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Hartford, CT. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.

Moving container costs from Hartford, CT to Charleston, SC

Moving containers from Hartford, Connecticut, to Charleston, South Carolina, cost between $1,116 and $3,871. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Hartford typically costs about $100/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Hartford to Charleston:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,116 - $2,066
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,435 - $2,927
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,910 - $3,871

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $755 in Hartford, CT. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
  • Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $81 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $162 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
  • Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Charleston, SC, destination before booking.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Connecticut to South Carolina move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.

Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,116. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,435 - $2,927, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Hartford to Charleston?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Hartford to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Hartford:

  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 0 years in business
  • RT Relocation (4.8/5), 15 years in business
  • Fallon Moving & Storage (4.1/5), 33 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Hartford, CT to Charleston, SC

A rental truck for this 878-mile move from Hartford, Connecticut, to Charleston, South Carolina, costs between $635 and $1,647. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $301 - $344
  • Daily insurance: $32/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
  • Hartford daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Hartford to Charleston based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $635 - $1,247
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $712 - $1,383
  • 4+ bedrooms: $825 - $1,647

Pro tip: The base rate of $635 - $1,647 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Hartford to Charleston. Fuel ($301 - $344) , lodging at around $162/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $162 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
  • Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $70 and $350 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $301 - $344 in fuel for the 878-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $755 in Hartford, Connecticut, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Hartford to Charleston?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)

The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.

Freight trailer costs from Hartford, CT to Charleston, SC

For larger DIY moves from Hartford, Connecticut, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Charleston, South Carolina.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,232 and $2,294.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Hartford to Charleston:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,079 - $1,820
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,232 - $2,294
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,528 - $3,160

Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Hartford, Connecticut, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $755.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $81 - $162 per additional foot to your total.
  • Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.

What are the best freight companies from Hartford to Charleston?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
  3. North Atlantic Trucking, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): North Atlantic Trucking, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: Hartford, CT vs Charleston, SC

Hartford and Charleston land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 105 in Hartford and 112 in Charleston, and rent tracks closely too ($1,330/mo vs. $2,500/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (67 vs 40) and safety scores (36.25 vs 55.03) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Charleston, SC to Hartford, CT guide.

Why book your mover through moveBuddha:

moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Connecticut to South Carolina in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 55 movers based in Connecticut, handy for sizing up options on this 878-mile route.

30%+
Save 30%+
moveBuddha users save an average of at least 30% by checking pricing before booking.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
We provide added coverage and dedicated support throughout for moveBuddha Certified moves.
Dispute mediation
If anything goes wrong, we help resolve it with Certified movers.

Our take

Full-service movers on the 878-mile route from Hartford, CT, to Charleston, SC, run $1,895 - $7,499 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,116 - $3,871, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $635 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,322, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Charleston and Medical University of South Carolina.

FAQs: Moving from Hartford, CT, to Charleston, SC

What size moving truck do I need for this route?

Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

Is Charleston a safe place to live?

Charleston has a safety index of 55.03 out of 100 and a crime index of 44.97, compared to 36.25 and 63.75 in Hartford. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What is the cheapest way to move from Hartford, CT to Charleston, SC?

Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $712 - $1,383. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What are the best neighborhoods in Charleston?

For families, Mount Pleasant, Park Circle, and Stiles Point are worth a look in Charleston. If you're moving solo or without kids, Harleston Village, James Island, and North Charleston tend to be popular picks instead.

How long does a move from Hartford, CT to Charleston, SC take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.

What percentage of Hartford movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 71% of movers in Hartford handle piano moves, and 47% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.