($585+) Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Charleston, SC, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $591 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,497 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $1,724, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,497 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,093 - $3,901, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $591 - $1,593.
- 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 $2,323 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. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,323 - $5,686 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 873-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 873-mile route from Charleston to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,724 - $4,470, container $1,093 - $2,001, rental truck $591 - $1,221, freight trailer $1,068 - $1,839.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,323 - $5,686, container $1,510 - $2,865, rental truck $665 - $1,395, freight trailer $1,244 - $2,222.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,995 - $7,497, container $1,890 - $3,901, rental truck $808 - $1,593, freight trailer $1,576 - $3,090.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 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 $1,724 and $7,497. 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: $1,724 - $4,470
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,323 - $5,686
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,995 - $7,497
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from South Carolina to Louisiana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market — 60% of Charleston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Lafayette, 75% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $516 - $5,160 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers85% 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 coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs90% 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 items40% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,032 - $2,580 |
| Piano | Any piano type60% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Smooth Move Charleston | $826 - $3,612 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling20% of local movers | $310 - $1,548 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Charleston, SC. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Charleston, South Carolina, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,093 and $3,901. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Lafayette. If you go over that window, storage in Charleston adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Charleston to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,093 - $2,001
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,510 - $2,865
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,890 - $3,901
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $77 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $155 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Lafayette, LA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $722 in Charleston, SC. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,093. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,510 - $2,865, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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
Truck rentals from Charleston, South Carolina, to Lafayette, Louisiana, range from $591 - $1,593 for the 873-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- 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: $591 - $1,221
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $665 - $1,395
- 4+ bedrooms: $808 - $1,593
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Charleston to Lafayette starts at $591 - $1,593, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($287 - $328) , overnight lodging ($155/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $287 - $328 for the 873-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Charleston, South Carolina, for about 5 hours typically costs around $722.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 873-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $155 per night, adding $310 - $464 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $52 and $310.
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
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Charleston, South Carolina, to Lafayette, Louisiana, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,244 and $2,222.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Charleston to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,068 - $1,839
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,244 - $2,222
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,576 - $3,090
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a 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 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.
- 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.
- Premier Logistics Solutions (4.62/5 stars): Premier Logistics Solutions 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: 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 book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from South Carolina to Louisiana 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 53 movers based in South Carolina, handy for sizing up options on this 873-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 873-mile route from Charleston, SC, to Lafayette, LA, run $1,724 - $7,497 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,093 - $3,901, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $591 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,323, 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 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 60% of movers in Charleston handle piano moves, and 40% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
