($536+) Charleston, SC to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from Charleston, SC, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $564 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,188 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 761 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 $1,720, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,188 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,074 - $3,562, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $564 - $1,466.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Charleston, SC, to New Orleans, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,343 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 New Orleans, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Charleston to New Orleans: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,343 - $5,814. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 761-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 761-mile route from Charleston to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,720 - $4,308 | $1,074 - $1,912 | $564 - $1,082 | $1,006 - $1,848 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,343 - $5,814 | $1,364 - $2,708 | $578 - $1,284 | $1,126 - $2,300 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,874 - $8,188 | $1,867 - $3,562 | $732 - $1,466 | $1,570 - $3,053 |
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 New Orleans, LA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 761-mile move from Charleston, South Carolina, to New Orleans, Louisiana, with prices running from $1,720 - $8,188. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $324 - $2,160 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Charleston and New Orleans are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Charleston movers tend to run around $311 as a base rate plus $134/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Charleston to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,720 - $4,308
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,343 - $5,814
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,874 - $8,188
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 New Orleans.
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: 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.
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Specialty moving services from Charleston, SC to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market — 60% of Charleston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In New Orleans, 75% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $540 - $5,400 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Smooth Move Charleston | $216 - $1,296/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $324 - $2,592 |
| 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 | $1,080 - $3,240 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,700 - $10,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $809 - $1,537 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items40% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,080 - $2,700 |
| Piano | Any piano type60% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Smooth Move Charleston | $864 - $3,780 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling20% of local movers | $324 - $1,620 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $702 - $2,160 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $324 - $16,200+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $324 - $3,780+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Charleston to New Orleans?
Look for Louisiana Motor Transport Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Louisiana beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Charleston, SC. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Charleston, SC to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from Charleston, South Carolina, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,074 and $3,562. 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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,074 - $1,912
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,364 - $2,708
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,867 - $3,562
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $81 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $162 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $756 in Charleston, SC, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your New Orleans, LA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,074. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,364 - $2,708, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Charleston to New Orleans?
- 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 New Orleans, LA
Truck rentals from Charleston, South Carolina, to New Orleans, Louisiana, range from $564 - $1,466 for the 761-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $262 - $299
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $564 - $1,082
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $578 - $1,284
- 4+ bedrooms: $732 - $1,466
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Charleston to New Orleans starts at $564 - $1,466, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($262 - $299) , overnight lodging ($162/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 $262 - $299 for the 761-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 $756.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 761-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $162 per night, adding $324 - $486 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $54 and $324.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Charleston to New Orleans?
- 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 New Orleans, LA
For larger DIY moves from Charleston, South Carolina, 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 New Orleans, Louisiana.
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 $1,126 and $2,300.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Charleston to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,006 - $1,848
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,126 - $2,300
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,570 - $3,053
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 Charleston, South Carolina, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $756.
- 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 Charleston to New Orleans?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Premier Logistics Solutions (4.62/5 stars): Premier Logistics Solutions is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Charleston to New Orleans. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Charleston, SC vs New Orleans, LA
Good news for your budget: New Orleans isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Charleston. Cost of living index runs 102 there against 112 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 40/100 and 55.03/100 here versus 58/100 and 32.69/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New Orleans, LA to Charleston, SC guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from South Carolina to Louisiana, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 53 movers in South Carolina, so you have real options to compare for this 761-mile move.
Our take
A move from Charleston, SC, to New Orleans, LA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,720 - $8,188 on the 761-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,074 - $3,562, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $564 - $1,466. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,343 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Entergy and Ochsner Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Charleston, SC, to New Orleans, LA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($262 - $299), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $162/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is New Orleans?
New Orleans has a walkability score of 58 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Charleston, SC to New Orleans, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,720 to $8,188, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,720 and $8,188, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Charleston, SC to New Orleans, LA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
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 New Orleans run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
