Charleston, SC

Chesapeake, VA → Charleston, SC · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Chesapeake to Charleston

About 399 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,020–$4,490, delivery in 1–3 days, 321 carriers on the Chesapeake side and 180 in Charleston.

  • 399 miroad distance
  • 7 h 35 mindriving time
  • 1–3 daysdelivery window
  • $3,020–$4,4902-bedroom estimate
Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 399 miles (338 straight-line)
Drive time
7 h 35 min
Delivery window
1–3 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
321 (201 interstate)
Movers at destination
180 (89 interstate)

Reverse: Charleston → Chesapeake

Moving from Chesapeake to Charleston is a regional long-distance move of roughly 399 road miles, heading southwest from Virginia to South Carolina.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $3,020 to $4,490 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 7 h 35 min.

On the Chesapeake side there are 321 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (201 of them authorized for interstate work), and 180 around Charleston (89 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Charleston.

Chesapeake has a population of about 255,332 and Charleston about 159,423. Charleston is the denser city (1,309 people per square mile versus 737 in Chesapeake), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Labor and living costs run lower in South Carolina than in Virginia, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Chesapeake to Charleston

Full-service estimate for 399 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,230 $1,500 $1,830
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $1,810 $2,210 $2,690
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $3,020 $3,680 $4,490
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $4,830 $5,890 $7,180
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $6,640 $8,100 $9,880

Rental truck (DIY)

$560–$790

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,380–$2,020

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$3,020–$4,490

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Chesapeake, VA → Charleston, SC. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Chesapeake (origin)

Service Transfer INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
139659
MC
135652
Based in
Chesapeake, VA 23324 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
240 trucks, 217 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Highways & Skyways Of Nc

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1070890
MC
446371
Based in
Chesapeake, VA 23320 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
170 trucks, 156 drivers
USDOT registered
2002

Apple Moving

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
163678
MC
143934
Based in
Chesapeake, VA 23323 (5 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
44 trucks, 41 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Hampton Roads Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1581633
MC
585658
Based in
Suffolk, VA 23435 (15 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
43 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered
2006

Rail Direct Transportation Company

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
706550
MC
326565
Based in
Portsmouth, VA 23707 (11 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
38 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered
1997

Leighton Transportation Services INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2139019
MC
744920
Based in
Portsmouth, VA 23701 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered
2011

Apple Moving

Licensed interstate
USDOT
795385
MC
354379
Based in
Norfolk, VA 23504 (13 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
21 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered
1999

Integrated Global Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1531539
MC
570802
Based in
Portsmouth, VA 23704 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
20 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered
2006

All 321 movers in Chesapeake

Near Charleston (destination)

Antler Transport LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
951978
MC
407642
Based in
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
143 trucks, 143 drivers
USDOT registered
2001

Harbor Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
776430
MC
347563
Based in
North Charleston, SC 29418 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
139 trucks, 117 drivers
USDOT registered
1998

Precise Logistical Services INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3298761
MC
1045896
Based in
N Charleston, SC 29420 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
55 trucks, 55 drivers
USDOT registered
2019

Xon Logistic LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3730419
MC
1316630
Based in
Charleston, SC 29414 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
45 trucks, 49 drivers
USDOT registered
2021

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3402685
MC
1095537
Based in
N Charleston, SC 29406 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
14 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

Harbor Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1220227
MC
340338
Based in
Hanahan, SC 29410 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
12 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered
2004

All My Sons Moving & Storage Of Charleston LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2276296
MC
779892
Based in
North Charleston, SC 29405 (2 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
10 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered
2012

Smooth Move

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2357653
MC
834668
Based in
North Charleston, SC 29405 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
10 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered
2012

All 180 movers in Charleston

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Chesapeake to Charleston?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,230 to $1,830 for a studio, $1,810 to $2,690 for a one-bedroom, $3,020 to $4,490 for a two-bedroom, $4,830 to $7,180 for a three-bedroom and $6,640 to $9,880 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Charleston from Chesapeake?

About 399 road miles (338 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 7 h 35 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Virginia into South Carolina makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Chesapeake to Charleston?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $560 to $790 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,380 to $2,020. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Chesapeake–Charleston corridor.