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

Movers from Knoxville to Columbia

About 257 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,380–$3,540, delivery in 1–3 days, 229 carriers on the Knoxville side and 389 in Columbia.

257 miroad distance
5 h 8 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,380–$3,5402-bedroom estimate

Photo: Akhenaton06 · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Route summary

From: Knoxville, Tennessee
To: Columbia, South Carolina
Road distance: ≈ 257 miles (218 straight-line)
Drive time: 5 h 8 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 229 (129 interstate)
Movers at destination: 389 (223 interstate)

Reverse: Columbia → Knoxville

Moving from Knoxville to Columbia is a regional long-distance move of roughly 257 road miles, heading southeast from Tennessee to South Carolina.

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 $2,380 to $3,540 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 8 min.

On the Knoxville side there are 229 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (129 of them authorized for interstate work), and 389 around Columbia (223 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 Columbia.

Knoxville has a population of about 202,021 and Columbia about 147,035. Knoxville is considerably denser (1,933 people per square mile versus 999), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Note that South Carolina does collect a state income tax, unlike Tennessee, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Knoxville to Columbia

Full-service estimate for 257 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	$1,430	$1,740	$2,130
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,380	$2,900	$3,540
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,810	$4,640	$5,670
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,240	$6,390	$7,790

Rental truck (DIY)

$410–$580

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

Portable container

$1,250–$1,840

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

Full-service mover

$2,380–$3,540

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Knoxville, TN → Columbia, 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 Knoxville (origin)

Tld Logistics Services INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1820774
MC: 658802
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37932 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 495 trucks, 415 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (865) 539-1285 Route Verify on FMCSA

Primeturbo LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3612859
MC: 1231221
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37931 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 51 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (646) 270-5441 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jim'S Garage & Wrecker Service

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Jims Garage & Wrecker Service LLC

USDOT: 491039
MC: 443902
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37919 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 28 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 1992

Call (865) 588-7338 Route Verify on FMCSA

Gouffon Moving & Storage Company INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 553340
MC: 273542
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37921 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (865) 584-8545 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rowe Transfer INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1079919
MC: 448775
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37914 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (865) 523-0421 Route Verify on FMCSA

Fox Moving And Storage Of East Tennessee LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2500143
MC: 866796
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37921 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (865) 437-5555 Route Verify on FMCSA

Emerald Home Furnishings

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Hackney Home Furnishings INC

USDOT: 329373
MC: 476934
Based in: Louisville, TN 37777 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 1988

Call (865) 982-5040 Route Verify on FMCSA

Brabston INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1736945
MC: 636216
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37924 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 11 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (865) 500-7002 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 229 movers in Knoxville

Near Columbia (destination)

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

Related routes

Other destinations from Knoxville

Other origins to Columbia

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,170 to $1,740 for a studio, $1,430 to $2,130 for a one-bedroom, $2,380 to $3,540 for a two-bedroom, $3,810 to $5,670 for a three-bedroom and $5,240 to $7,790 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Columbia from Knoxville?

About 257 road miles (218 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 5 h 8 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 Tennessee into South Carolina 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 Knoxville to Columbia?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $410 to $580 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,250 to $1,840. 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 Knoxville–Columbia corridor.