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Charleston, SC

Santa Cruz, CA → Charleston, SC · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Cruz to Charleston

About 2,810 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $8,720–$12,980, delivery in 7–14 days, 27 carriers on the Santa Cruz side and 180 in Charleston.

  • 2,810 miroad distance
  • 49 hours (6 driving days)driving time
  • 7–14 daysdelivery window
  • $8,720–$12,9802-bedroom estimate
Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 2,810 miles (2,381 straight-line)
Drive time
49 hours (6 driving days)
Delivery window
7–14 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
27 (6 interstate)
Movers at destination
180 (89 interstate)

Reverse: Charleston → Santa Cruz

Moving from Santa Cruz to Charleston is a cross-country move of roughly 2,810 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 $12,980 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 Santa Cruz side there are 27 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (6 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.

Santa Cruz has a population of about 62,000 and Charleston about 159,423. Santa Cruz is considerably denser (4,942 people per square mile versus 1,309), 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 Santa Cruz to Charleston

Full-service estimate for 2,810 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $3,490 $4,260 $5,190
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $5,230 $6,380 $7,790
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $8,720 $10,640 $12,980
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $13,960 $17,020 $20,770
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $19,190 $23,410 $28,550

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,940–$5,560

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

Portable container

$3,530–$5,190

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

Full-service mover

$8,720–$12,980

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Cruz, CA → 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 Santa Cruz (origin)

Lambert And Son Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Bill Lambert

USDOT
3528657
MC
1220611
Based in
Santa Cruz, CA 95065 (5 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
4 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (831) 777-4265 Route Verify on FMCSA

Edward W Grace

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1559365
MC
643222
Based in
Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (3 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 3 drivers
USDOT registered
2006
Call (831) 465-6865 Route Verify on FMCSA

Denise Hoselton Living Tr

Interstate carrier
USDOT
4197804
MC
1618833
Based in
Brookdale, CA 95007 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2024
Call (831) 704-6804 Route Verify on FMCSA

Delivertron

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Delivertron LLC

USDOT
3592367
Based in
Boulder Creek, CA 95006 (15 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2021
Call (831) 293-4823 Route Verify on FMCSA

Locatelli Moving And Storage INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
1891836
Based in
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
7 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
2009
Call (831) 425-7775 Route Verify on FMCSA

Coast Paper & Supply

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
2666577
Based in
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (831) 423-3350 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rational Moving INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
3393511
MC
1565780
Based in
Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (831) 425-1448 Route Verify on FMCSA

Full Load

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Robert D Joseph

USDOT
2773290
Based in
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (831) 419-5395 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 27 movers in Santa Cruz

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
Call (843) 849-0451 Route Verify on FMCSA

Harbor Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Ats Intermodal LLC

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
Call (843) 308-9600 Route Verify on FMCSA

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
Call (843) 425-3495 Route Verify on FMCSA

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
Call (305) 916-0122 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Aba Moving & Storage INC

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
Call (843) 529-0220 Route Verify on FMCSA

Harbor Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Premier Logistics LLC

USDOT
1220227
MC
340338
Based in
Hanahan, SC 29410 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
12 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered
2004
Call (843) 554-7529 Route Verify on FMCSA

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
Call (469) 461-5000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Smooth Move

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Go Smooth Move LLC

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
Call (843) 860-9717 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 180 movers in Charleston

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Cruz

Other origins to Charleston

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Cruz to Charleston?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,490 to $5,190 for a studio, $5,230 to $7,790 for a one-bedroom, $8,720 to $12,980 for a two-bedroom, $13,960 to $20,770 for a three-bedroom and $19,190 to $28,550 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Charleston from Santa Cruz?

About 2,810 road miles (2,381 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 Santa Cruz to Charleston?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,940 to $5,560 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,530 to $5,190. 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 Santa Cruz–Charleston corridor.