Columbia, SC → Princeton, NJ · Long-distance move

Movers from Columbia to Princeton

About 655 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,960–$5,880, delivery in 2–5 days, 389 carriers on the Columbia side and 149 in Princeton.

655 miroad distance
12 hdriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,960–$5,8802-bedroom estimate

Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 4.0

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Route summary

From: Columbia, South Carolina
To: Princeton, New Jersey
Road distance: ≈ 655 miles (555 straight-line)
Drive time: 12 h
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 389 (223 interstate)
Movers at destination: 149 (111 interstate)

Reverse: Princeton → Columbia

Princeton sits about 655 miles northeast of Columbia, which makes this an interstate relocation from South Carolina to New Jersey that most movers classify as a long-distance move.

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 $3,960 to $5,880 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 12 h.

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 149 around Princeton (111 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 Princeton.

Columbia has a population of about 147,035 and Princeton about 31,000. Princeton is the denser city (1,710 people per square mile versus 999 in Columbia), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. New Jersey 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 Princeton

Full-service estimate for 655 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,580	$1,930	$2,350
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,370	$2,890	$3,530
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,960	$4,820	$5,880
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$6,330	$7,720	$9,420
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$8,700	$10,610	$12,950

Rental truck (DIY)

$970–$1,370

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

Portable container

$1,600–$2,360

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

Full-service mover

$3,960–$5,880

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Columbia, SC → Princeton, NJ. 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 Princeton (destination)

Hermann Transportation Services

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Hermann Forwarding Company

USDOT: 17093
MC: 32775
Based in: Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 163 trucks, 149 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (732) 297-4400 Route Verify on FMCSA

National Transport Services Company INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 212340
MC: 149114
Based in: Dayton, NJ 08810 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 85 trucks, 85 drivers
USDOT registered: 1982

Call (908) 527-7567 Route Verify on FMCSA

Everlast Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Everlast Transport INC

USDOT: 550019
MC: 993300
Based in: Monroe Township, NJ 08831 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 33 trucks, 36 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (732) 727-0634 Route Verify on FMCSA

Glenway Distribution

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Glenway Edison Corporation

USDOT: 1696595
MC: 784444
Based in: Cranbury, NJ 08512 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (732) 593-0010 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mg Express Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2521395
MC: 875334
Based in: East Windsor, NJ 08520 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 38 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (973) 873-5155 Route Verify on FMCSA

George'S Garage & Towing INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 649697
MC: 935073
Based in: Cranbury, NJ 08512 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 19 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1996

Call (609) 655-3334 Route Verify on FMCSA

A Santini Moving & Storage Company

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: A Santini Storage Company Of NJ INC

USDOT: 6045
MC: 53438
Based in: Dayton, NJ 08810 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (973) 228-7211 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jersey Specialized Hauling INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2986680
MC: 16953
Based in: Monroe, NJ 08831 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 14 trucks, 14 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (917) 685-8268 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 149 movers in Princeton

Related routes

Other destinations from Columbia

Other origins to Princeton

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,580 to $2,350 for a studio, $2,370 to $3,530 for a one-bedroom, $3,960 to $5,880 for a two-bedroom, $6,330 to $9,420 for a three-bedroom and $8,700 to $12,950 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Princeton from Columbia?

About 655 road miles (555 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 12 h.

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 New Jersey 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 Princeton?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $970 to $1,370 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,600 to $2,360. 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–Princeton corridor.