($265+) Columbus, GA to Chattanooga, TN Movers
Moving from Columbus, GA, to Chattanooga, TN, runs anywhere from $273 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,946 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 220 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $923, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $5,946 or more.
- Moving containers run $847 - $2,649, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $273 - $634.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Columbus, GA, to Chattanooga, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,566 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Columbus, GA to Chattanooga, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from Columbus to Chattanooga: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $1,566 - $4,328. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 220 miles, expect 1 to 2 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 220-mile route from Columbus to Chattanooga, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $923 - $3,546, container $847 - $1,494, rental truck $273 - $454, freight trailer $777 - $1,265.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,566 - $4,328, container $1,027 - $2,049, rental truck $285 - $570, freight trailer $838 - $1,559.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $2,123 - $5,946, container $1,391 - $2,649, rental truck $343 - $634, freight trailer $1,193 - $1,956.
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 Columbus, GA to Chattanooga, TN
Hiring full-service movers from Columbus, Georgia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, costs between $923 and $5,946. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 220-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $248 - $1,656, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Columbus and Chattanooga. For a rough baseline, movers based in Columbus tend to start around $315 plus $140/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Columbus to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $923 - $3,546
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,566 - $4,328
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,123 - $5,946
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 Columbus to Chattanooga.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Georgia to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Columbus, GA to Chattanooga, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Columbus movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chattanooga, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $414 - $4,140 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $166 - $994/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $248 - $1,987 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage22% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $828 - $2,484 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,070 - $8,280 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $620 - $1,178 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items33% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: American International Movers Inc. | $828 - $2,070 |
| Piano | Any piano type56% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Apple Moving | $662 - $2,898 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling56% of local movers | $248 - $1,242 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Apple Moving | $538 - $1,656 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $248 - $12,420+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $248 - $2,898+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Columbus to Chattanooga?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Columbus, GA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Columbus to Chattanooga with a local mover averages $1,612 - $4,457. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Columbus, GA often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.48/5 stars) is a local mover in Columbus, based on our analysis of feedback from 178 customers, 79.2% of which is positive.
Address: 325 Lee Road 672, Auburn, AL, 36832 | Founded: 2026
Moving container costs from Columbus, GA to Chattanooga, TN
Moving containers from Columbus, Georgia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, cost between $847 and $2,649. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Columbus costs roughly $65/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Columbus to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $847 - $1,494
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,027 - $2,049
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,391 - $2,649
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 $580 in Columbus, GA. 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 $62 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $124 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 Chattanooga, TN, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Georgia to Tennessee move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
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 $847. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,027 - $2,049, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Columbus to Chattanooga?
- 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 Columbus 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 Columbus:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.1/5), 19 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- JIT Movers Inc. (4.1/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Columbus, GA to Chattanooga, TN
Renting a moving truck for the 220-mile move from Columbus, Georgia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, costs between $273 and $634, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $58 - $66
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Columbus daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Columbus to Chattanooga based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $273 - $454
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $285 - $570
- 4+ bedrooms: $343 - $634
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $273 - $634 does not include fuel ($58 - $66) , lodging ($124/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Columbus to Chattanooga typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $124 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $54 and $269 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $58 - $66 in fuel for the 220-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $580 in Columbus, Georgia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Columbus to Chattanooga?
- 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 Columbus, GA to Chattanooga, TN
If you're moving a larger household from Columbus, Georgia, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $838 and $1,559.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Columbus to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $777 - $1,265
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $838 - $1,559
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,193 - $1,956
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Columbus, Georgia, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $580.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $62 - $124 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Columbus to Chattanooga?
- 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.
- Collins Trucking Co (4.3/5 stars): Collins Trucking Co 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Columbus, GA vs Chattanooga, TN
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Columbus and Chattanooga to plan around. Cost of living index: 78 vs. 90. Average rent: $1,100/mo vs. $1,475/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 25 vs. 29. Safety index: 27.82 vs. 46.11.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chattanooga, TN to Columbus, GA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Georgia to Tennessee over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 89 movers in our Georgia network to compare for this 220-mile move.
Our take
The 220-mile move from Columbus, GA, to Chattanooga, TN, costs between $923 and $5,946 with full-service movers, $847 - $2,649 with a moving container, and $273 - $634 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $1,566 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Hamilton County and Schools Erlanger.
FAQs: Moving from Columbus, GA, to Chattanooga, TN
What do local movers charge in Columbus?
Local movers based in Columbus typically start around $315 as a base rate, plus $140/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 Chattanooga run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Columbus, GA to Chattanooga, TN?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
How much does it cost to move from Columbus, GA to Chattanooga, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $923 to $5,946, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $923 and $5,946, 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.
How walkable is Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has a walkability score of 29 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 35, compared to 25 and 31 in Columbus. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($58 - $66), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $124/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Columbus movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 56% of movers in Columbus handle piano moves, and 33% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
