Columbia, SC → Arlington, VA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Columbia to Arlington

About 467 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,260–$4,860, delivery in 1–3 days, 389 carriers on the Columbia side and 1,290 in Arlington.

467 miroad distance
8 h 45 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$3,260–$4,8602-bedroom estimate

Photo: Theodore Christopher · CC0

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Route summary

From: Columbia, South Carolina
To: Arlington, Virginia
Road distance: ≈ 467 miles (395 straight-line)
Drive time: 8 h 45 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 389 (223 interstate)
Movers at destination: 1,290 (809 interstate)

Reverse: Arlington → Columbia

Moving from Columbia to Arlington is a regional long-distance move of roughly 467 road miles, heading northeast from South Carolina to Virginia.

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 $3,260 to $4,860 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 8 h 45 min.

On the Columbia side there are 389 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (223 of them authorized for interstate work), and 1,290 around Arlington (809 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 Arlington.

Columbia has a population of about 147,035 and Arlington about 240,000. Arlington is the denser city (9,180 people per square mile versus 999 in Columbia), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Virginia is a higher-cost state than South Carolina, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.

Cost of moving from Columbia to Arlington

Full-service estimate for 467 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,310	$1,590	$1,940
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,960	$2,390	$2,910
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,260	$3,980	$4,860
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$5,220	$6,370	$7,770
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$7,180	$8,760	$10,680

Rental truck (DIY)

$780–$1,100

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

Portable container

$1,440–$2,110

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

Full-service mover

$3,260–$4,860

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Columbia, SC → Arlington, VA. 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 Columbia (origin)

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

Near Arlington (destination)

Evo Transportation

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Ritter Transport INC

USDOT: 436004
MC: 239770
Based in: Capital Heights, MD 20743 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 75 trucks, 151 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (480) 485-5862 Route Verify on FMCSA

Eagle Van Lines INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 388638
MC: 208997
Based in: Temple Hills, MD 20748 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 72 trucks, 59 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (301) 899-2022 Route Verify on FMCSA

Primus Trans LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2442344
MC: 44829
Based in: Vienna, VA 22182 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 40 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (571) 386-9178 Route Verify on FMCSA

John W Ritter Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 6903
MC: 1664339
Based in: Capital Heights, MD 20743 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 38 trucks, 107 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (480) 582-2760 Route Verify on FMCSA

Geva Transportationgeva Logisticsgeva Freight Forwarding S

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Geva Transportation LLC

USDOT: 2845842
MC: 954130
Based in: Clinton, MD 20735 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 35 trucks, 33 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (240) 284-3828 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mike Dancy

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Michael Dancy

USDOT: 4231672
MC: 1637268
Based in: Clinton, MD 20735 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 26 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (301) 643-4471 Route Verify on FMCSA

Interstate Van Lines INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 32658
MC: 1745
Based in: West Springfield, VA 22152 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (703) 569-2121 Route Verify on FMCSA

F4l Trans LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3268506
MC: 1031430
Based in: Hyattsville, MD 20785 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 25 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (702) 366-6000 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 1,290 movers in Arlington

Related routes

Other destinations from Columbia

Other origins to Arlington

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,310 to $1,940 for a studio, $1,960 to $2,910 for a one-bedroom, $3,260 to $4,860 for a two-bedroom, $5,220 to $7,770 for a three-bedroom and $7,180 to $10,680 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Arlington from Columbia?

About 467 road miles (395 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 8 h 45 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 South Carolina into Virginia 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 Columbia to Arlington?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $780 to $1,100 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,440 to $2,110. 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 Columbia–Arlington corridor.