($660+) Burlington, VT to Charleston, SC Movers
Moving from Burlington, VT, to Charleston, SC, runs anywhere from $660 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,749 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,048 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,286, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,749 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,195 - $3,958, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $660 - $1,922.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Burlington, VT, to Charleston, SC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,892 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 Burlington, VT to Charleston, SC
There are 3 main ways to move from Burlington to Charleston: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,892 - $6,717. Containers cost roughly 48% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 74% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,048 miles, expect 2 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,048-mile route from Burlington to Charleston, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,286 for a studio up to $8,749 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,195 - $3,958 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $660 - $1,922, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,024 - $3,135, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Burlington, VT to Charleston, SC
Full-service movers for the 1,048-mile relocation from Burlington, Vermont, to Charleston, South Carolina, cost between $2,286 and $8,749. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $336 - $2,240, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Burlington typically charge a base rate around $594 plus $200 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Burlington to Charleston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,286 - $5,141
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,892 - $6,717
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,763 - $8,749
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 Burlington to Charleston.
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 Burlington, VT to Charleston, SC
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Burlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Charleston, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $560 - $5,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Booska Movers | $224 - $1,344/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $336 - $2,688 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage40% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers | $1,120 - $3,360 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,800 - $11,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $839 - $1,594 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items20% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Booska Movers | $1,120 - $2,800 |
| Piano | Any piano type14% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Local Muscle Movers | $896 - $3,920 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $336 - $1,680 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $728 - $2,240 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $336 - $16,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $336 - $3,920+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Burlington to Charleston?
All three below meet the standards set by the South Carolina Trucking Association, the group most South Carolina 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Burlington, VT. 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 Burlington, VT to Charleston, SC
Moving containers from Burlington, Vermont, to Charleston, South Carolina, cost between $1,195 and $3,958. 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 Burlington typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Burlington to Charleston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,195 - $2,247
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,509 - $2,917
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,077 - $3,958
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 $784 in Burlington, VT. 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 $84 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $168 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 Vermont 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 $1,195. 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 $1,509 - $2,917.
What are the best moving containers Burlington to Charleston?
- 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 Burlington 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 Burlington:
- Local Muscle Movers (4.9/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Burlington, VT to Charleston, SC
Truck rentals from Burlington, Vermont, to Charleston, South Carolina, range from $660 - $1,922 for the 1,048-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $373 - $427
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Burlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Burlington to Charleston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $660 - $1,240
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $742 - $1,505
- 4+ bedrooms: $868 - $1,922
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $660 - $1,922 does not include fuel ($373 - $427), lodging ($168/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Burlington to Charleston typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $168 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 $73 and $364 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $373 - $427 in fuel for the 1,048-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $784 in Burlington, Vermont, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Burlington to Charleston?
- 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 Burlington, VT to Charleston, SC
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Burlington, Vermont, to Charleston, South Carolina, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,159 and $2,452.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Burlington to Charleston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,024 - $1,964
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,159 - $2,452
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,548 - $3,135
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 Burlington, Vermont, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $784.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $84 - $168 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 Burlington to Charleston?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Burlington to Charleston. 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: Burlington, VT vs Charleston, SC
Day-to-day costs in Charleston are close to what you're used to in Burlington: cost of living index of 112 versus 112, with average rent of $2,500/mo compared to $2,200/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 59/100 and 56.67/100 in Burlington versus 40/100 and 55.03/100 in Charleston.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Charleston, SC to Burlington, VT guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Vermont to South Carolina, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Vermont alone has 16 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,048-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 1,048-mile move from Burlington, VT, to Charleston, SC, costs between $2,286 and $8,749 with full-service movers, $1,195 - $3,958 with a moving container, and $660 - $1,922 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,892 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Charleston and Medical University of South Carolina.
FAQs: Moving from Burlington, VT, to Charleston, SC
What do local movers charge in Burlington?
Local movers based in Burlington typically start around $594 as a base rate, plus $200/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 Charleston run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Burlington, VT to Charleston, SC take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Burlington, VT 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 $742 - $1,505. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 56.67 and 43.33 in Burlington. 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 Burlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 14% of movers in Burlington handle piano moves, and 20% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.