Athens, GA → Columbia, SC · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Athens to Columbia

About 167 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,100–$3,130, delivery in 1–2 days, 312 carriers on the Athens side and 389 in Columbia.

167 miroad distance
3 h 35 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,100–$3,1302-bedroom estimate

Photo: Akhenaton06 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

From: Athens, Georgia
To: Columbia, South Carolina
Road distance: ≈ 167 miles (141 straight-line)
Drive time: 3 h 35 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 312 (166 interstate)
Movers at destination: 389 (223 interstate)

Reverse: Columbia → Athens

Moving from Athens to Columbia is a regional long-distance move of roughly 167 road miles, heading east from Georgia 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 $2,100 to $3,130 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 2 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 3 h 35 min.

On the Athens side there are 312 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (166 of them authorized for interstate work), and 389 around Columbia (223 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 Columbia.

Athens has a population of about 128,612 and Columbia about 147,035. The two cities have comparable density (1,095 and 999 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from Athens to Columbia

Full-service estimate for 167 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,190	$1,450	$1,770
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,260	$1,540	$1,880
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,100	$2,570	$3,130
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,370	$4,110	$5,010
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$4,630	$5,650	$6,890

Rental truck (DIY)

$320–$450

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

Portable container

$1,170–$1,720

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

Full-service mover

$2,100–$3,130

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Athens, GA → Columbia, 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 Athens (origin)

Lindsay Transfer & Storage INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 830257
MC: 468785
Based in: Bogart, GA 30622 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (706) 549-8902 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: The Keeling Group LLC

USDOT: 1142555
MC: 454168
Based in: Athens, GA 30606 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (706) 227-4100 Route Verify on FMCSA

University Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Gee Transport INC

USDOT: 864502
MC: 667732
Based in: Athens, GA 30607 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (706) 353-1141 Route Verify on FMCSA

Puff Land

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Crawford Handling LLC

USDOT: 4253552
MC: 1649165
Based in: Athens, GA 30606 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (706) 201-6674 Route Verify on FMCSA

Wood Truck Lines LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1810822
MC: 676733
Based in: Athens, GA 30607 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (706) 354-8948 Route Verify on FMCSA

Duncan Transportation Service LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2056835
MC: 719961
Based in: Bogart, GA 30622 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (706) 424-6740 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck Albany

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Sullivan Brothers Ventures INC

USDOT: 4339831
MC: 1728857
Based in: Athens, GA 30606 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (229) 329-8100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cooper Transport Logistics

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3965988
MC: 1480525
Based in: Athens, GA 30601 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (706) 352-1434 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 312 movers in Athens

Near Columbia (destination)

Nilson Van & Storage

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 122025
MC: 109331
Based in: Columbia, SC 29203 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 43 trucks, 36 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (803) 786-1090 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Kb Enterprises INC

USDOT: 1713552
Based in: Columbia, SC 29209 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 18 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (803) 731-7775 Route Verify on FMCSA

R L Solutions Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2074562
MC: 749775
Based in: Columbia, SC 29204 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (864) 485-3482 Route Verify on FMCSA

On Time Services

Licensed interstate

Legal name: On Time Services Incorporated

USDOT: 1290786
MC: 663927
Based in: West Columbia, SC 29169 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (803) 739-2009 Route Verify on FMCSA

Movemart Relocation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 787737
MC: 1217231
Based in: Columbia, SC 29201 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (803) 256-1078 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bossman Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 3790147
MC: 1360126
Based in: Columbia, SC 29223 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (704) 200-4823 Route Verify on FMCSA

Prohelp LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3304870
MC: 1048763
Based in: Columbia, SC 29201 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 7 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (803) 776-4357 Route Verify on FMCSA

Johnson & Smith Global Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4464723
MC: 1761240
Based in: Columbia, SC 29223 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (803) 939-2014 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 389 movers in Columbia

Related routes

Other destinations from Athens

Other origins to Columbia

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Athens to Columbia?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,190 to $1,770 for a studio, $1,260 to $1,880 for a one-bedroom, $2,100 to $3,130 for a two-bedroom, $3,370 to $5,010 for a three-bedroom and $4,630 to $6,890 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Columbia from Athens?

About 167 road miles (141 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 35 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 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 Georgia 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 Athens to Columbia?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $320 to $450 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,170 to $1,720. 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 Athens–Columbia corridor.