MovingFromMoving navigation
Chicago, IL

Columbia, SC → Chicago, IL · Long-distance move

Movers from Columbia to Chicago

About 770 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,050–$6,030, delivery in 2–5 days, 389 carriers on the Columbia side and 2,923 in Chicago.

  • 770 miroad distance
  • 13 h 59 mindriving time
  • 2–5 daysdelivery window
  • $4,050–$6,0302-bedroom estimate
Photo: File:Chicago River ferry.jpg: John Picken derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0
Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 770 miles (653 straight-line)
Drive time
13 h 59 min
Delivery window
2–5 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
389 (223 interstate)
Movers at destination
2,923 (2,209 interstate)

Reverse: Chicago → Columbia

The route from Columbia, SC to Chicago, IL covers roughly 770 miles by road, a northwest-bound trip that falls into the long-distance move category for pricing purposes.

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 $4,050 to $6,030 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 13 h 59 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 2,923 around Chicago (2,209 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 Chicago.

Columbia has a population of about 147,035 and Chicago about 2.7 million. Chicago is the denser city (12,061 people per square mile versus 999 in Columbia), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Illinois 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 Chicago

Full-service estimate for 770 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,620 $1,980 $2,410
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $2,430 $2,970 $3,620
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $4,050 $4,940 $6,030
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $6,480 $7,910 $9,650
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $8,910 $10,870 $13,260

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,090–$1,540

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

Portable container

$1,710–$2,510

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

Full-service mover

$4,050–$6,030

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Columbia, SC → Chicago, IL. 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 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 Chicago (destination)

Nova Lines INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2559423
MC
892806
Based in
Bridgeview, IL 60455 (9 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
1,298 trucks, 1,298 drivers
USDOT registered
2014
Call (847) 881-0432 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hmd Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
976560
MC
415186
Based in
Chicago Ridge, IL 60415 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
409 trucks, 375 drivers
USDOT registered
2001
Call (708) 398-6237 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cdn Logistics INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
781203
MC
332177
Based in
Northlake, IL 60164 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
310 trucks, 260 drivers
USDOT registered
1998
Call (708) 344-5555 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hub Group

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Hub Group Dedicated LLC

USDOT
801828
MC
357193
Based in
Oak Brook, IL 60523 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
2,505 trucks, 3,194 drivers
USDOT registered
1999
Call (630) 271-3600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Fx

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Freight Exchange Of North America LLC

USDOT
1194542
MC
471387
Based in
Franklin Park, IL 60131 (12 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
218 trucks, 219 drivers
USDOT registered
2003
Call (312) 612-2200 Route Verify on FMCSA

New World Van Lines INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
258748
MC
162485
Based in
Chicago, IL 60646 (12 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
204 trucks, 189 drivers
USDOT registered
1985
Call (773) 509-5937 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liv Transportation INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2196716
MC
762386
Based in
Bridgeview, IL 60455 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
201 trucks, 201 drivers
USDOT registered
2011
Call (708) 401-7441 Route Verify on FMCSA

Celtic Cartage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1197429
MC
476351
Based in
Palos Hills, IL 60465 (12 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
185 trucks, 185 drivers
USDOT registered
2004
Call (708) 974-1405 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 2,923 movers in Chicago

Related routes

Other destinations from Columbia

Other origins to Chicago

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,620 to $2,410 for a studio, $2,430 to $3,620 for a one-bedroom, $4,050 to $6,030 for a two-bedroom, $6,480 to $9,650 for a three-bedroom and $8,910 to $13,260 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Chicago from Columbia?

About 770 road miles (653 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 13 h 59 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 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 Illinois 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 Chicago?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,090 to $1,540 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,710 to $2,510. 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–Chicago corridor.