($573+) St. Louis, MO to Columbia, SC Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Columbia, SC, runs anywhere from $540 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,120 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 746 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,710, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,120 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,073 - $3,408, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $540 - $1,504.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Columbia, SC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,229 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 St. Louis, MO to Columbia, SC
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Louis to Columbia: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,229 - $5,957. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 746-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 746-mile route from St. Louis to Columbia, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,710 - $4,169 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,073 - $1,930), rental truck ($540 - $1,035), or freight trailer ($995 - $1,880). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,229 - $5,957 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,120.
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 St. Louis, MO to Columbia, SC
Full-service movers for the 746-mile relocation from St. Louis, Missouri, to Columbia, South Carolina, cost between $1,710 and $8,120. 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 $256 - $1,704, 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 St. Louis typically charge a base rate around $247 plus $145 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,710 - $4,169
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,229 - $5,957
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,135 - $8,120
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 St. Louis to Columbia.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri 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: 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 St. Louis, MO to Columbia, SC
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of St. Louis 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 packing93% of local movers | $426 - $4,260 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $170 - $1,022/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $256 - $2,045 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs86% of local movers | $852 - $2,556 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,130 - $8,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $638 - $1,212 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $852 - $2,130 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Arch Moving | $682 - $2,982 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $256 - $1,278 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $554 - $1,704 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $256 - $12,780+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $256 - $2,982+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Columbia?
All three below meet the standards set by the South Carolina Trucking Association, the group most South Carolina movers are affiliated with.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in St. Louis, MO. 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 St. Louis, MO to Columbia, SC
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Columbia, South Carolina, cost between $1,073 and $3,408. 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 St. Louis costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,073 - $1,930
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,477 - $2,841
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,790 - $3,408
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $64 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $128 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Columbia, SC, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $596 in St. Louis, MO. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri to South Carolina 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 $1,073. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,477 - $2,841, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis:
- Arch Moving (4.7/5), 23 years in business
- ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 37 years in business
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Columbia, SC
Truck rentals from St. Louis, Missouri, to Columbia, South Carolina, range from $540 - $1,504 for the 746-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $202 - $231
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 St. Louis to Columbia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $540 - $1,035
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $601 - $1,278
- 4+ bedrooms: $714 - $1,504
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $540 - $1,504 when pricing out a rental truck from St. Louis to Columbia. Fuel alone runs ($202 - $231) , and overnight lodging ($128/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $202 - $231 for the 746-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for about 5 hours typically costs around $596.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 746-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $128 per night, adding $256 - $383 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $43 and $256.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO to Columbia, SC
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from St. Louis, Missouri, to Columbia, South Carolina. 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 $767 and $2,316.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $995 - $1,880
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,091 - $2,316
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,568 - $2,984
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $596.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $64 and $128 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Columbia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. (4.42/5 stars): Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from St. Louis to Columbia. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: St. Louis, MO vs Columbia, SC
St. Louis and Columbia land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 84 in St. Louis and 87 in Columbia, and rent tracks closely too ($1,250/mo vs. $1,447/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (66 vs 35) and safety scores (30.35 vs 48.39) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbia, SC to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Missouri to South Carolina, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 54 movers in Missouri, so you have real options to compare for this 746-mile move.
Our take
The 746-mile move from St. Louis, MO, to Columbia, SC, costs between $1,710 and $8,120 with full-service movers, $1,073 - $3,408 with a moving container, and $540 - $1,504 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 $2,229 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 Pure Fishing and LexiCode.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Columbia, SC
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($202 - $231), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $128/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Louis, MO 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 $601 - $1,278. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Columbia, SC?
Costs on this route range from around $1,710 to $8,120, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,710 and $8,120, 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 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.
What do local movers charge in St. Louis?
Local movers based in St. Louis typically start around $247 as a base rate, plus $145/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 percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
