Columbia, SC → Charleston, SC · Short-haul move

Movers from Columbia to Charleston

About 117 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,900–$2,830, delivery in 1–2 days, 389 carriers on the Columbia side and 180 in Charleston.

117 miroad distance
2 h 43 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$1,900–$2,8302-bedroom estimate

Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Route summary

From: Columbia, South Carolina
To: Charleston, South Carolina
Road distance: ≈ 117 miles (100 straight-line)
Drive time: 2 h 43 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: In-state (South Carolina)
Movers at origin: 389 (223 interstate)
Movers at destination: 180 (89 interstate)

Reverse: Charleston → Columbia

Moving from Columbia to Charleston is a short-haul move of roughly 117 road miles, heading southeast within South Carolina.

Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 2 h 43 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,900 and $2,830, before packing or storage.

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 180 around Charleston (89 interstate). For an in-state 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.

Columbia has a population of about 147,035 and Charleston about 159,423. Charleston is the denser city (1,309 people per square mile versus 999 in Columbia), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Columbia to Charleston

Full-service estimate for 117 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,170	$1,430	$1,740
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,170	$1,430	$1,740
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$1,900	$2,320	$2,830
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,040	$3,710	$4,520
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$4,180	$5,100	$6,220

Rental truck (DIY)

$270–$380

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

Portable container

$1,120–$1,650

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

Full-service mover

$1,900–$2,830

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Columbia, SC → 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 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 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

Tips for this move

Confirm whether travel time between Columbia and Charleston is billed one way or round trip.
A single-day move is realistic here; schedule loading in the morning so the crew arrives in Charleston with daylight to spare.
Check South Carolina intrastate mover rules; many states require a state permit in addition to a USDOT number.
Group fragile items and tell the crew which boxes go in the cab or on top.

Near Columbia

Near Charleston

Related routes

Other destinations from Columbia

Other origins to Charleston

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,170 to $1,740 for a studio, $1,170 to $1,740 for a one-bedroom, $1,900 to $2,830 for a two-bedroom, $3,040 to $4,520 for a three-bedroom and $4,180 to $6,220 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Charleston from Columbia?

About 117 road miles (100 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 43 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.

Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for an in-state move?

No. Because both Columbia and Charleston are in South Carolina, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Columbia to Charleston?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $270 to $380 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,120 to $1,650. 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–Charleston corridor.