North Charleston, SC

Palo Alto, CA → North Charleston, SC · Cross-country move

Movers from Palo Alto to North Charleston

About 2,805 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $8,720–$12,970, delivery in 7–14 days, 233 carriers on the Palo Alto side and 269 in North Charleston.

  • 2,805 miroad distance
  • 49 hours (6 driving days)driving time
  • 7–14 daysdelivery window
  • $8,720–$12,9702-bedroom estimate
Photo: John Rutledge Smith · Public domain

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 2,805 miles (2,377 straight-line)
Drive time
49 hours (6 driving days)
Delivery window
7–14 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
233 (62 interstate)
Movers at destination
269 (136 interstate)

Reverse: North Charleston → Palo Alto

Moving from Palo Alto to North Charleston is a cross-country move of roughly 2,805 road miles, heading east from California 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 $8,720 to $12,970 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 7 to 14 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 49 hours (6 driving days).

On the Palo Alto side there are 233 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (62 of them authorized for interstate work), and 269 around North Charleston (136 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 North Charleston.

Palo Alto has a population of about 67,000 and North Charleston about 129,245. Palo Alto is considerably denser (2,851 people per square mile versus 1,480), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in South Carolina than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Palo Alto to North Charleston

Full-service estimate for 2,805 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $3,490 $4,250 $5,190
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $5,230 $6,380 $7,780
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $8,720 $10,630 $12,970
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $13,940 $17,010 $20,750
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $19,170 $23,380 $28,530

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,930–$5,550

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

Portable container

$3,520–$5,180

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

Full-service mover

$8,720–$12,970

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Palo Alto, CA → North Charleston, SC. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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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 Palo Alto (origin)

Piranha Ops LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3389468
MC
1089109
Based in
San Jose, CA 95126 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
49 trucks, 100 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

Kilam INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3251388
MC
1023623
Based in
Fremont, CA 94538 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
30 trucks, 68 drivers
USDOT registered
2019

Crown Worldwide Moving And Storage LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
2970
MC
138953
Based in
Union City, CA 94587 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 18 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Lucid USA INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3488549
MC
1147342
Based in
Newark, CA 94560 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
22 trucks, 38 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

Managed Facility Solutions

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2974713
MC
10809
Based in
San Jose, CA 95131 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
22 trucks, 43 drivers
USDOT registered
2017

Careful Movers

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1464935
MC
553377
Based in
Union City, CA 94587 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
14 trucks, 14 drivers
USDOT registered
2006

Arjak&agnes Sons Trucking

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3247717
MC
1021407
Based in
Santa Clara, CA 95050 (11 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
7 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2019

Mav Moving LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4340425
MC
77787146
Based in
Newark, CA 94560 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered
2024

All 233 movers in Palo Alto

Near North Charleston (destination)

Antler Transport LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
951978
MC
407642
Based in
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (14 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 (2 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 (2 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 (6 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 (2 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 (3 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 (7 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 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
10 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered
2012

All 269 movers in North Charleston

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Palo Alto to North Charleston?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,490 to $5,190 for a studio, $5,230 to $7,780 for a one-bedroom, $8,720 to $12,970 for a two-bedroom, $13,940 to $20,750 for a three-bedroom and $19,170 to $28,530 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is North Charleston from Palo Alto?

About 2,805 road miles (2,377 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 49 hours (6 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 7 to 14 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 California 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 Palo Alto to North Charleston?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,930 to $5,550 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,520 to $5,180. 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 Palo Alto–North Charleston corridor.