($510+) Memphis, TN to Charleston, WV Movers
Moving from Memphis, TN, to Charleston, WV, runs anywhere from $485 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,278 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 597 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,539, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,278 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,164 - $3,495, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $485 - $1,336.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Memphis, TN, to Charleston, WV. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,491 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 Memphis, TN to Charleston, WV
Moving options from Memphis to Charleston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,491 - $6,473 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 597 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 597-mile route from Memphis to Charleston, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,539 - $4,704 with full-service movers, $1,164 - $1,898 with a container, $485 - $903 with a rental truck, or $1,008 - $1,887 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,491 - $6,473 full-service, $1,351 - $2,624 by container, $561 - $1,118 by rental truck, or $1,114 - $2,320 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,451 - $9,278 full-service, $1,859 - $3,495 by container, $673 - $1,336 by rental truck, or $1,503 - $2,967 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated August 31, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Memphis, TN to Charleston, WV
Hiring full-service movers from Memphis, Tennessee, to Charleston, West Virginia, costs between $1,539 and $9,278. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 597-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $252 - $1,680, 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 Memphis and Charleston. For a rough baseline, movers based in Memphis tend to start around $334 plus $125/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 Memphis to Charleston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,539 - $4,704
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,491 - $6,473
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,451 - $9,278
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 Memphis to Charleston.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to West Virginia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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.
Add-ons and specialty services from Memphis, TN to Charleston, WV
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost (Memphis to Charleston) |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | You want the crew to box everything | $420 - $4,200 |
| Storage in transit | Your new place is not ready on arrival | $168 - $1,008/mo |
| Shuttle fee | A full-size truck cannot reach the door | $252 - $2,016 |
| Full-value protection | Coverage beyond the default $0.60/lb | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Shipments under about 2,000 lbs | $840 - $2,520 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,100 - $8,400 |
| Car shipping | Moving a second vehicle | $629 - $1,195 |
| Antiques & fine art | Climate control and white-glove handling | $840 - $2,100 |
| Piano | Upright, baby grand, or grand | $672 - $2,940 |
| Pool table | Disassembly and professional re-leveling | $252 - $1,260 |
| Hot tub | 500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect | $546 - $1,680 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled, vibration-safe transport | $252 - $12,600+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or VIP concierge | $252 - $2,940+ |
| Basic utilities | Ongoing monthly cost in Charleston | $129/mo |
| Internet | Ongoing monthly cost in Charleston | $55/mo |
| Cell phone plan | Ongoing monthly cost in Charleston | $45/mo |
What are the best full-service movers from Memphis to Charleston?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Memphis, TN. 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 Memphis, TN to Charleston, WV
Moving containers from Memphis, Tennessee, to Charleston, West Virginia, cost between $1,164 and $3,495. 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 Memphis typically runs around $45/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Memphis to Charleston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,164 - $1,898
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,351 - $2,624
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,859 - $3,495
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Memphis, TN, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $588, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $63 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $126 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Memphis, TN, and Charleston, WV, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee to West Virginia 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 $1,164. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,351 - $2,624, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Memphis to Charleston?
- PODS (4.8/5 stars): PODS is best for nationwide coverage. It runs the widest service network of any container company, with secure month-to-month storage and steel-frame containers you load on your own schedule.
- Units Moving & Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars): Units is best for locally owned service. Their steel containers come in multiple sizes that fit tight driveways, and locally owned branches mean you reach a live support team that knows your area.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat: 1-800-Pack-Rat is best for weatherproof storage. Their all-steel containers hold up well in transit and long storage windows, with flexible month-to-month terms when your move-in date slips.
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 Memphis 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 Memphis:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 36 years in business
- Cord Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 106 years in business
- Spyder Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Memphis, TN to Charleston, WV
A rental truck for this 597-mile move from Memphis, Tennessee, to Charleston, West Virginia, costs between $485 and $1,336. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $160 - $182
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Memphis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Memphis to Charleston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $485 - $903
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $561 - $1,118
- 4+ bedrooms: $673 - $1,336
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $485 - $1,336 when pricing out a rental truck from Memphis to Charleston. Fuel alone runs ($160 - $182) , and overnight lodging ($126/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $63 and $294.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $126.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $160 and $182 for the 597-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $588 for 2 movers in Memphis, Tennessee, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Memphis to Charleston?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars): Budget Truck Rental is the best value rental on this list. Budget consistently offers the lowest base rates of the major truck rental companies, plus discounts for AAA members, military, and online bookings.
- Penske Truck Rental (4/5 stars): Penske Truck Rental is the most reliable option. Their fleet averages under 2 years old, includes unlimited mileage on one-way moves, and 24/7 roadside assistance is included with every rental.
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars): U-Haul Truck Rental offers the best availability. With over 23,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada and 7 truck size options, U-Haul has the largest network and the most flexibility for last-minute bookings.
Freight trailer costs from Memphis, TN to Charleston, WV
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Memphis, Tennessee, to Charleston, West Virginia. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,114 and $2,320.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Memphis to Charleston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,008 - $1,887
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,114 - $2,320
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,503 - $2,967
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $63 and $126.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Memphis, Tennessee, for roughly five hours typically average $588.
What are the best freight companies from Memphis to Charleston?
- 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.
- Empire Express, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): Empire Express, 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Charleston fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Memphis, TN vs Charleston, WV
Good news for your budget: Charleston isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Memphis. Cost of living index runs 81 there against 86 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 - 35/100 and 22.51/100 here versus 33/100 and 46.06/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Charleston, WV to Memphis, TN guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed over 663 quotes from Memphis, TN to Charleston, WV, 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 70 movers in Tennessee, so you have real options to compare for this 597-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Memphis, TN, to Charleston, WV, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,539 for a studio to $9,278 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 597-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,164 - $3,495. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $485 - $1,336, 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 $2,491 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 IOGAWV President and Kanawha County Board Of Education.
FAQs: Moving from Memphis, TN, to Charleston, WV
Is Charleston a safe place to live?
Charleston has a safety index of 46.06 out of 100 and a crime index of 53.94, compared to 22.51 and 77.49 in Memphis. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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.
What is the best time of year to move from Memphis, TN to Charleston, WV?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in West Virginia?
In the Mountaineer State, the state’s Public Service Commission oversees local and intrastate movers. The commission strives to support and promote the interests of both businesses and consumers, and those interested in hiring an in-state mover can browse the Commission’s Regulated Motor Carrier Database to verify that they’re reputable businesses in good standing.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($160 - $182), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $126/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
