($604+) Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Charleston, SC, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $604 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,292 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 873 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 $1,729, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,292 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,107 - $3,679, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $604 - $1,629.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Charleston, SC, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,214 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA
Moving options from Charleston to Lafayette fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,214 - $5,146 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 39% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 73% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 873 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 873-mile route from Charleston to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,729 - $4,089 with full-service movers, $1,107 - $2,027 with a container, $604 - $1,140 with a rental truck, or $929 - $1,877 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,214 - $5,146 full-service, $1,340 - $2,895 by container, $602 - $1,290 by rental truck, or $1,128 - $2,118 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,619 - $7,292 full-service, $1,858 - $3,679 by container, $794 - $1,629 by rental truck, or $1,426 - $2,770 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA
For the 873-mile move from Charleston, South Carolina, to Lafayette, Louisiana, full-service movers cost between $1,729 and $7,292. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $310 - $2,064 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Charleston generally start around $311 plus $134 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Charleston to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,729 - $4,089
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,214 - $5,146
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,619 - $7,292
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 Charleston to Lafayette.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Charleston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Lafayette, 40% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing59% of local movers | $516 - $5,160 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Smooth Move Charleston | $206 - $1,238/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $310 - $2,477 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage7% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,032 - $3,096 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,580 - $10,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $773 - $1,469 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Low Country Moving, LLC | $1,032 - $2,580 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $826 - $3,612 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $310 - $1,548 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $671 - $2,064 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $310 - $15,480+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $310 - $3,612+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Charleston to Lafayette?
All three below meet the standards set by the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, the group most Louisiana movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Charleston, SC, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Charleston, South Carolina, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,107 and $3,679. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Charleston typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Charleston to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,107 - $2,027
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,340 - $2,895
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,858 - $3,679
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 $722 in Charleston, SC. 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 $77 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $155 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 Lafayette, LA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a South Carolina to Louisiana 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 $1,107. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,340 - $2,895.
What are the best moving containers Charleston to Lafayette?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- 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 Charleston 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 Charleston:
- Smooth Move Charleston (4.9/5), 13 years in business
- Low Country Moving, LLC (4.7/5), 14 years in business
- Cougar Moving (4.8/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA
A rental truck for this 873-mile move from Charleston, South Carolina, to Lafayette, Louisiana, costs between $604 and $1,629. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $287 - $328
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Charleston daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Charleston to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $604 - $1,140
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $602 - $1,290
- 4+ bedrooms: $794 - $1,629
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $604 - $1,629 when pricing out a rental truck from Charleston to Lafayette. Fuel alone runs $287 - $328, and overnight lodging ($155/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Charleston, South Carolina, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $722.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $287 - $328 for the 873-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $62 and $335, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $155 per night for hotel stops on the 873-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $310 - $464.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Charleston to Lafayette?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- 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 Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA
If you're moving a larger household from Charleston, South Carolina, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Lafayette, Louisiana.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,128 and $2,118.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Charleston to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $929 - $1,877
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,128 - $2,118
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,426 - $2,770
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $77 - $155 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Charleston, South Carolina, typically costs $722.
What are the best freight companies from Charleston to Lafayette?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Lafayette quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Charleston, SC vs Lafayette, LA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Lafayette, side by side with Charleston on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Charleston, SC | Lafayette, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 90 |
| Average rent | $2,500/mo | $2,825/mo |
| Median home value | $468,536 | $249,492 |
| Average income | $90,038/yr | $61,454/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.0% | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 40/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 55.03/100 | 54.25/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lafayette, LA to Charleston, SC guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from South Carolina to Louisiana over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 155 movers in our South Carolina network to compare for this 873-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Charleston, SC, to Lafayette, LA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,729 for a studio to $7,292 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 873-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,107 - $3,679. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $604 - $1,629, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,214 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include LHC Group and King-Patin.
FAQs: Moving from Charleston, SC, to Lafayette, LA
What do local movers charge in Charleston?
Local movers based in Charleston typically start around $311 as a base rate, plus $134/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Lafayette run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Louisiana?
If you’re using a legitimate moving company to relocate from one home or apartment within the state to another, look for a company regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). During the pre-move screening process, families on the move should verify that prospective movers are registered and in good standing with the LPSC. In cases of substandard service, inflated costs, and unlicensed movers operating illegally, consumers may file a complaint, after which the commission will initiate an investigation.
What are the best neighborhoods in Lafayette?
For families, Youngsville, Erath, and Maurice are worth a look in Lafayette. If you're moving solo or without kids, Saint Streets, Freetown-Port Rico, and Downtown Lafayette tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Lafayette?
Lafayette has a walkability score of 42 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 47, compared to 40 and 50 in Charleston. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Lafayette a safe place to live?
Lafayette has a safety index of 54.25 out of 100 and a crime index of 45.75, compared to 55.03 and 44.97 in Charleston. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Charleston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Charleston handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.