Columbia, SC → Pasadena, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Columbia to Pasadena

About 2,499 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $8,180–$12,180, delivery in 7–14 days, 389 carriers on the Columbia side and 822 in Pasadena.

2,499 miroad distance
43 hours (5 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$8,180–$12,1802-bedroom estimate

Photo: David Wakely · CC BY-SA 2.5

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Route summary

From: Columbia, South Carolina
To: Pasadena, California
Road distance: ≈ 2,499 miles (2,118 straight-line)
Drive time: 43 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 389 (223 interstate)
Movers at destination: 822 (337 interstate)

Reverse: Pasadena → Columbia

The route from Columbia, SC to Pasadena, CA covers roughly 2,499 miles by road, a west-bound trip that falls into the cross-country 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 $8,180 to $12,180 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 7 to 14 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 43 hours (5 driving days).

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 822 around Pasadena (337 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 Pasadena.

Columbia has a population of about 147,035 and Pasadena about 135,804. Pasadena is the denser city (6,030 people per square mile versus 999 in Columbia), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. California 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 Pasadena

Full-service estimate for 2,499 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,270	$3,990	$4,870
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,910	$5,990	$7,310
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$8,180	$9,980	$12,180
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$13,090	$15,970	$19,480
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$18,000	$21,960	$26,790

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,470–$4,900

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

Portable container

$3,250–$4,780

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

Full-service mover

$8,180–$12,180

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Columbia, SC → Pasadena, CA. 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 Pasadena (destination)

White Arrow LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 577394
MC: 281042
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 414 trucks, 408 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (800) 501-5589 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dhe

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Dependable Highway Express INC

USDOT: 9853
MC: 139496
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90023 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 312 trucks, 240 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (323) 362-9399 Route Verify on FMCSA

T C I Transportation Services INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 480301
MC: 619388
Based in: Commerce, CA 90022 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 205 trucks, 277 drivers
USDOT registered: 1992

Call (323) 269-3033 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hercules Forwarding LLC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 424572
Based in: Vernon, CA 90058 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 166 trucks, 163 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (323) 263-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arru Group INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4420956
MC: 1738102
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90029 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 52 trucks, 180 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (424) 335-1991 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ing Logistics

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1778992
MC: 648911
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90037 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 50 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (213) 944-0878 Route Verify on FMCSA

Saba Couriers LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3182236
MC: 127315
Based in: Burbank, CA 91505 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 45 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (818) 731-8259 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liberty Linehaul West INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 282762
MC: 208837
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 44 trucks, 53 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (323) 728-8900 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 822 movers in Pasadena

Tips for this move

Confirm which items the mover will not carry (plants, perishables, propane, some batteries).
Expect a delivery spread of one to two weeks; plan temporary housing in Pasadena accordingly.
Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.
Ask about consolidated versus dedicated truck options—dedicated is faster but costs more.

Near Columbia

Near Pasadena

Related routes

Other destinations from Columbia

Other origins to Pasadena

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,270 to $4,870 for a studio, $4,910 to $7,310 for a one-bedroom, $8,180 to $12,180 for a two-bedroom, $13,090 to $19,480 for a three-bedroom and $18,000 to $26,790 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Pasadena from Columbia?

About 2,499 road miles (2,118 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 43 hours (5 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 7 to 14 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 California 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 Pasadena?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,470 to $4,900 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,250 to $4,780. 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–Pasadena corridor.