The BEST Long-Distance Movers in Charleston, WV
Quick answer: After comparing prices, services, quality ratings and customer satisfaction, we recommend Safeway Moving as the top long-distance moving company in Charleston, WV. Safeway Moving provides the best overall value, thanks to its balance of stellar service and reasonable rates.
- Best overall value: Safeway Moving
- Best Charleston-based company: Central Van & Storage, Inc.
- Best moving container: U-Pack
- Best labor-only company: HireAHelper
- Best DIY option: U-Haul Truck Rental
- Best small movers: MiniMoves
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best long-distance movers in Charleston for those moving out of state
If you’re moving out of West Virginia, here are our top picks for best interstate moving companies in Charleston:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Best long-distance movers in Charleston for those staying in state
Even if you’re just relocating from Charleston to another West Virginia city, your move could still be a couple hundred miles or more. In that case, you’ll want to hire one of the top long-distance movers.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies that are located within Charleston:
- Central Van & Storage, Inc.: 4.72 out of 5
- Watts Brothers Moving and Storage Systems: 4.2 out of 5
- Dunbar Transfer: 3.9 out of 5
- Positive Moves: 3.72 out of 5
- Evans Van & Storage: 3.66 out of 5
Central Van & Storage, Inc.
DOT #: 076235
Years in Business: 28
37 Jacobson Drive, Charleston, WV 25159Central Van & Storage, Inc., serving Charleston, WV, has been a trusted name in local residential moving since 1998. Known for their comprehensive services, they stand out by offering specialized moving for items like pianos, hot tubs, and antiques, along with office moving services. Despite mixed online reviews—ranging from a low average on Yelp to a high 4.6 rating on Google—they maintain a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, indicating strong reliability and customer service. Unlike many competitors, they provide full valuation insurance coverage and do not require a deposit, making them a strong contender for anyone needing dependable, flexible moving services in the Charleston area.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 076235
Watts Brothers Moving and Storage Systems
DOT #: 587135
Years in Business: 35
1301 7th Ave # A, Huntington, WV 25701Watts Brothers Moving and Storage Systems has been a reliable choice for local residential moves in Huntington, WV since 1990. Unlike some nearby competitors, they offer comprehensive packing and unpacking services, accept credit cards, and require no deposit. While consumer reviews are mixed, with a 3.9 average rating on Google and an A+ BBB rating, they remain a trusted name in the community. Their long-standing presence and extensive service offerings make them a solid option for local moves.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 587135
Alternative Business Names
- Future Enterprises Corporation
Dunbar Transfer
DOT #: 1186580
Dunbar Transfer, based in Tornado, WV, specializes in local residential moving services, making them a top choice for those staying within the area. With stellar consumer reviews—boasting a perfect 5.0 average on Yelp and a solid 4.4 on Google—customers consistently praise their service quality. Unlike many local competitors, Dunbar Transfer also offers packing and unpacking services, as well as the capability to move delicate items like pianos and art. They accept both cash and credit cards, and no deposit is required, further setting them apart from other movers in the region.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1186580
Positive Moves
Positive Moves is a highly reputable local moving company serving Charleston, WV and its surrounding areas. Known for their meticulous care in handling fragile items, art, and antiques, they stand out from other nearby movers by offering specialized services such as piano moving and fragile-only packing. Unlike competitors, Positive Moves requires no deposit, making the booking process seamless and stress-free. Consumer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with a strong 4.7 average rating on Google indicating high satisfaction, despite a more mixed reception on Yelp. Choose Positive Moves for a reliable and detailed-oriented local moving experience.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
Evans Van & Storage
DOT #: 070851
Evans Van & Storage is a reputable local moving company based in Poca, WV, specializing in residential moves within the surrounding area. Unlike some nearby movers, they offer both packing and unpacking services, catering to those needing additional assistance. They stand out for not requiring a deposit and accepting both cash and credit cards, which makes the booking process more flexible. With consistently positive consumer reviews highlighting their reliability and attention to detail, Evans Van & Storage is a top choice for anyone looking to move locally without the hassle.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 070851
Best long-distance movers in Charleston for small moves
Many full-service moving companies have a 3,000-pound minimum requirement and may not be able to help you if you are moving a college dorm or studio apartment — or have decided to just take a few items with you.
In that case, you might be better off going with a long-distance company in Charleston that specializes in small moves.
Here are our top suggestions:
- MiniMoves: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Transit Systems Inc (TSI): 4.7 out of 5 stars
- No minimum size
- Top-quality materials
- Full-service packing
- Specializes in small moves
- Guaranteed delivery date
- Online chatbot and resources for a seamless move
- Car shipping services
- Gives back with charitable donations
Alternative long-distance moving options in Charleston
Hiring one of the top full-service movers is typically your best bet for a long-distance move from Charleston. But depending on your budget, move size, and schedule, you may prefer an alternative option.
Moving containers
A moving container can be a great solution if you want to save a little money on your move from Charleston to another West Virginia city or out of state. While you will have to handle the heavy lifting, you can load and unload containers at your preferred pace over several days or more. And the container company will still handle the driving for you.
Container costs vary depending on the distance of your move and the size and number of your containers, so it’s good to get multiple moving quotes to compare pricing for your specific relocation.
You can start with these two companies:
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
Labor-only
If you don’t mind driving from Charleston but want some helping hands in terms of loading and unloading, look into labor-only moving companies.
Here’s who we suggest:
- HireAHelper: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Total DIY
While you’ll save some money with the two alternatives above, the cheapest way to move out of state is by handling all aspects — the heavy lifting and the driving — yourself. On average, a full DIY move from Charleston costs $19–$39 a day for a truck rental, plus a per-mile fee of $0.69–$0.69.
Using moving rental trucks definitely requires the most work, but if budget is your biggest concern, check out these options:
- U-Haul Truck Rental: 4.15 out of 5 stars
- Penske Truck Rental: 4 out of 5 stars
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
Our methodology to find the best long-distance movers in Charleston, WV
Over the past 10 years, we’ve developed a rigorous review process to identify the absolute best moving companies.
We look at:
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
- Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, expedited delivery, and more.
Read more about our moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of long-distance movers in Charleston
The average cost for professional movers in Charleston is $141 per hour, but even the best interstate moving companies need more information about the distance and size of your move to give you a moving quote.
Factors that affect the cost of moving from Charleston
- How far you’re moving: Distance is the most impactful cost factor. Naturally, the farther you are moving, the more it will cost. Relocating a couple hundred miles from Charleston to another West Virginia city will not be as expensive as a cross-country move.
- The moving option you choose: Your costs will vary significantly depending on whether you choose a full-service mover, a moving container, or a rental truck. Every move is different, so balance your needs and your budget when deciding on the best relocation method.
- The amount of belongings you have: Movers determine cost by the total estimated weight of your household items and furnishings, so be sure to itemize your belongings to get the most accurate quote. You may also want to consider downsizing before moving out of Charleston to reduce your moving expenses.
- Any add-on services you choose: Additional services like third-party labor assistance or packing and unpacking help are convenient, but they will also contribute to your total moving costs.
- When you move: The time of the year, month, and even week can all affect what you pay. Summer moves are typically more expensive because they are the busiest season for movers. Moving between October and April can be more cost-effective. Mid-month and mid-week moves are also cheaper, since most people tend to move on the weekends around the start or end of the month.
To give you an accurate estimate, we’ve created a moving cost calculator to help you get a good idea of your long-distance move cost. Plus, we’ve put together a detailed post all about moving costs in Charleston.
FAQs
What else should I know about moving out of West Virginia?
A moving company helping you move out of West Virginia must be properly licensed and have a U.S. Department of Transportation number. Of course, all of the Charleston movers we’ve included on this list have everything in order but you can check for yourself on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database.
If you’re moving from one state to another, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move document from the FMCSA.
Should I use a local company or a national company when moving out of Charleston?
If you’re moving across town, a local moving company in Charleston is going to be the most cost-effective approach. If you’re moving out of West Virginia, using a national moving company comes with more experience, which may cost a bit more.
When is the cheapest time of year to move away from Charleston?
Moving companies in Charleston are usually slower in November and December due to the average winter low of 24°F, the holidays and kids being in school, so you can negotiate with a mover more during those months and save some money.
What are the cheapest ways to move out of Charleston?
DIY moving will always be cheaper, especially when moving within 50 miles of Charleston. The cheapest options for moving out of the Charlie West are usually renting a moving truck like U-Haul or a moving container like PODS. We’ve also got a helpful guide if you’re looking for the cheapest ways to move out of state.
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Helpful Charleston resources
Charleston moving services
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