($1,261+) Billings, MT to Columbia, SC Movers
Moving from Billings, MT, to Columbia, SC, runs anywhere from $1,152 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $13,183 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,011 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,827, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $13,183 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,738 - $5,821, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,152 - $3,306.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Billings, MT, to Columbia, SC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,981 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Billings, MT to Columbia, SC
Moving options from Billings to Columbia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,981 - $9,568 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,011-mile route typically takes 6 to 17 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,011-mile route from Billings to Columbia, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,827 for a studio up to $13,183 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,738 - $5,821 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,152 - $3,306, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,579 - $4,848, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Billings, MT to Columbia, SC
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,011-mile move from Billings, Montana, to Columbia, South Carolina, with prices running from $2,827 - $13,183. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $275 - $1,836 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Billings and Columbia are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Billings movers tend to run around $259 as a base rate plus $105/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Billings to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,827 - $6,480
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,981 - $9,568
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,086 - $13,183
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 Billings to Columbia.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Montana to South Carolina. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Billings, MT to Columbia, SC
Specialty needs vary by market — 60% of Billings movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Columbia, 86% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $459 - $4,590 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Baker Transfer & Storage | $184 - $1,102/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $275 - $2,203 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers | $918 - $2,754 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,295 - $9,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $688 - $1,306 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items20% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Aaron's Back Company | $918 - $2,295 |
| Piano | Any piano type60% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Aaron's Back Company | $734 - $3,213 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling40% of local movers | $275 - $1,377 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect20% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Aaron's Back Company | $597 - $1,836 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $275 - $13,770+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $275 - $3,213+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Billings to Columbia?
South Carolina Trucking Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in South Carolina, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Billings, MT. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Billings, MT to Columbia, SC
Moving containers from Billings, Montana, to Columbia, South Carolina, cost between $1,738 and $5,821. 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 Billings runs about $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Billings to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,738 - $3,110
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,248 - $4,403
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,050 - $5,821
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $69 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $138 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $643 in Billings, MT, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Columbia, SC, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,738. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,248 - $4,403, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Billings to Columbia?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Billings to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Billings:
- Aaron's Back Company (4.9/5), 18 years in business
- Baker Transfer & Storage (4.2/5), 15 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Billings, MT to Columbia, SC
A rental truck for this 2,011-mile move from Billings, Montana, to Columbia, South Carolina, costs between $1,152 and $3,306. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $587 - $671
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Billings daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $0.89
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Billings to Columbia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,152 - $2,221
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,300 - $2,895
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,689 - $3,306
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,152 - $3,306 does not include fuel ($587 - $671) , lodging ($138/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Billings to Columbia typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $138 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 Billings, Montana, usually costs about $643 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,011-mile drive falls between $587 and $671, 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 $46 and $275 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Billings to Columbia?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- 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 Billings, MT to Columbia, SC
For larger DIY moves from Billings, Montana, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Columbia, South Carolina.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,765 and $3,487.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Billings to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,579 - $2,828
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,765 - $3,487
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,345 - $4,848
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $69 - $138 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 Billings, Montana, typically costs $643.
What are the best freight companies from Billings to Columbia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Diversified Transfer & Storage, Inc. (4.7/5 stars): Diversified Transfer & Storage, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Columbia quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Billings, MT vs Columbia, SC
Good news for your budget: Columbia isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Billings. Cost of living index runs 87 there against 95 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 35/100 and 50.37/100 here versus 35/100 and 48.39/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbia, SC to Billings, MT guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1 real quotes from Montana to South Carolina, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Montana alone has 11 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,011-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Billings, MT, to Columbia, SC, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,827 - $13,183 on the 2,011-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,738 - $5,821, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,152 - $3,306. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,981 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Pure Fishing and LexiCode.
FAQs: Moving from Billings, MT, to Columbia, SC
What do local movers charge in Billings?
Local movers based in Billings typically start around $259 as a base rate, plus $105/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Columbia run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Billings, MT to Columbia, SC?
Costs on this route range from around $2,827 to $13,183, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,827 and $13,183, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What is the cheapest way to move from Billings, MT to Columbia, SC?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,300 - $2,895. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($587 - $671), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $138/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Billings movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 60% of movers in Billings handle piano moves, and 20% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
