($566+) Columbia, SC to Chicago, IL Movers

Full-service moving costs from Columbia, SC to Chicago, IL

Full-service movers for the 800-mile relocation from Columbia, South Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,796 and $7,881. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $284 - $1,892, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Columbia typically charge a base rate around $262 plus $256 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Columbia to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,796 - $4,192
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,254 - $5,949
• 4+ bedrooms: $4,032 - $7,881

Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Columbia to Chicago.

Specialty moving services from Columbia, SC to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Columbia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chicago, 93% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Columbia to Chicago?

All three below meet the standards set by the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Illinois movers are affiliated with.

1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.

Moving container costs from Columbia, SC to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Columbia, South Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,129 and $3,841. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Columbia runs about $50/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Columbia to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,129 - $2,018
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,495 - $2,886
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,928 - $3,841

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $662 in Columbia, SC. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
• Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
• Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $71 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $142 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
• Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Chicago, IL, destination before booking.

What are the best moving containers Columbia to Chicago?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Columbia, SC to Chicago, IL

Plan on $595 - $1,650 for a rental moving truck on the 800-mile route from Columbia, South Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

• Fuel for the drive: $241 - $275
• Daily insurance: $28/day
• Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
• Columbia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $39.95

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Columbia to Chicago based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $595 - $1,145
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $604 - $1,321
• 4+ bedrooms: $765 - $1,650

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
• Lodging: Budget around $142 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
• Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Columbia, South Carolina, usually costs about $662 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
• Gas: Fuel for the 800-mile drive falls between $241 and $275, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
• Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $47 and $284 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Columbia to Chicago?

1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
3. U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)

The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.

Freight trailer costs from Columbia, SC to Chicago, IL

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Columbia, South Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $851 and $2,171.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Columbia to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,005 - $1,835
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,196 - $2,171
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,590 - $2,953

What other costs come with freight trailers?

• More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $71 - $142 to your final bill.
• Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
• Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Columbia, South Carolina, typically costs $662.

What are the best freight companies from Columbia to Chicago?

1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
3. Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

Cost of living: Columbia, SC vs Chicago, IL

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Columbia on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.