Columbia, SC → Chattanooga, TN · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Columbia to Chattanooga

About 303 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,540–$3,780, delivery in 1–3 days, 389 carriers on the Columbia side and 241 in Chattanooga.

303 miroad distance
5 h 55 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,540–$3,7802-bedroom estimate

Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Columbia, South Carolina
To: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Road distance: ≈ 303 miles (257 straight-line)
Drive time: 5 h 55 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 389 (223 interstate)
Movers at destination: 241 (155 interstate)

Reverse: Chattanooga → Columbia

Moving from Columbia to Chattanooga is a regional long-distance move of roughly 303 road miles, heading west from South Carolina to Tennessee.

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 $2,540 to $3,780 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 5 h 55 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 241 around Chattanooga (155 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 Chattanooga.

Columbia has a population of about 147,035 and Chattanooga about 194,144. The two cities have comparable density (999 and 1,272 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Tennessee levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.

Cost of moving from Columbia to Chattanooga

Full-service estimate for 303 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	$1,520	$1,860	$2,270
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,540	$3,100	$3,780
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,060	$4,950	$6,040
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,580	$6,810	$8,310

Rental truck (DIY)

$460–$650

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

Portable container

$1,290–$1,900

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

Full-service mover

$2,540–$3,780

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Columbia, SC → Chattanooga, TN. 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 Chattanooga (destination)

US Xpress

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: US Xpress INC

USDOT: 303024
MC: 188121
Based in: Chattanooga, TN 37421 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4,953 trucks, 5,412 drivers
USDOT registered: 1987

Call (423) 510-3000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Covenant Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Covenant Transport LLC

USDOT: 273818
MC: 188102
Based in: Chattanooga, TN 37419 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 816 trucks, 1,741 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (423) 463-3473 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tranco Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 646416
MC: 301265
Based in: Chattanooga, TN 37421 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 98 trucks, 113 drivers
USDOT registered: 1996

Call (423) 822-1000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ash Transport LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2014429
MC: 709527
Based in: Chattanooga, TN 37410 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 43 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Route Verify on FMCSA

Eagle Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1400069
MC: 587359
Based in: Chattanooga, TN 37416 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 35 trucks, 35 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (423) 485-8619 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bullins Trucking Company LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 545382
MC: 299062
Based in: Chattanooga, TN 37416 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 27 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (423) 421-0399 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Chattanooga 081 LLC

USDOT: 2255276
MC: 769528
Based in: Chattanooga, TN 37406 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (423) 893-3450 Route Verify on FMCSA

1up Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2801891
MC: 936054
Based in: Chattanooga, TN 37406 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (423) 661-3791 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 241 movers in Chattanooga

Tips for this move

Plan a first-night kit for Chattanooga: bedding, toiletries, a few kitchen basics.
Get three written estimates; at this distance quotes can vary by a third for the same inventory.
Ask whether the carrier will use one truck end to end or transfer your goods at a terminal.
Weigh the cost of full-value protection against the released-value default of 60 cents per pound.

Near Columbia

Near Chattanooga

Related routes

Other destinations from Columbia

Other origins to Chattanooga

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,170 to $1,740 for a studio, $1,520 to $2,270 for a one-bedroom, $2,540 to $3,780 for a two-bedroom, $4,060 to $6,040 for a three-bedroom and $5,580 to $8,310 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Chattanooga from Columbia?

About 303 road miles (257 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 5 h 55 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 Tennessee 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 Chattanooga?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $460 to $650 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,290 to $1,900. 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–Chattanooga corridor.