($367+) Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL Movers
Moving from Columbia, SC, to Montgomery, AL, runs anywhere from $346 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,230 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 370 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,023, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,230 or more.
- Moving containers run $954 - $2,734, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $346 - $933.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Columbia, SC, to Montgomery, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,763 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 Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from Columbia to Montgomery: 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 $1,763 - $4,702. 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 4 days for this 370-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 370-mile route from Columbia to Montgomery, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,023 - $3,784 | $954 - $1,675 | $346 - $638 | $875 - $1,404 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,763 - $4,702 | $1,244 - $2,374 | $399 - $796 | $937 - $1,845 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,743 - $6,230 | $1,489 - $2,734 | $499 - $933 | $1,228 - $2,394 |
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 Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL
For the 370-mile move from Columbia, South Carolina, to Montgomery, Alabama, full-service movers cost between $1,023 and $6,230. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $251 - $1,676 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Columbia generally start around $262 plus $256 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Columbia to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,023 - $3,784
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,763 - $4,702
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,743 - $6,230
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 Montgomery.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from South Carolina to Alabama. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Columbia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Montgomery, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $419 - $4,190 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $168 - $1,006/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $251 - $2,011 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $838 - $2,514 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,095 - $8,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $628 - $1,192 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $838 - $2,095 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $670 - $2,933 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers | $251 - $1,257 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Gentlemen Movers Inc. | $545 - $1,676 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $251 - $12,570+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $251 - $2,933+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Columbia to Montgomery?
Look for Alabama Trucking Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Alabama beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Columbia, SC?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Columbia to Montgomery with a local mover averages $1,833 - $4,890. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Columbia, SC 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.
Moving container costs from Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL
Moving containers from Columbia, South Carolina, to Montgomery, Alabama, cost between $954 and $2,734. 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 Columbia costs roughly $50/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Columbia to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $954 - $1,675
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,244 - $2,374
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,489 - $2,734
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $63 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $126 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Montgomery, AL, 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 $587 in Columbia, SC. 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 South Carolina to Alabama 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 $954. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,244 - $2,374, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Columbia to Montgomery?
- 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 Columbia 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 Columbia:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5)
- Undergrads Moving (4.8/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 370 miles from Columbia, South Carolina, to Montgomery, Alabama, running $346 - $933. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $99 - $113
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Columbia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $39.95
| 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 Columbia to Montgomery based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $346 - $638
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $399 - $796
- 4+ bedrooms: $499 - $933
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Columbia to Montgomery starts at $346 - $933, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($99 - $113) , overnight lodging ($126/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $99 - $113 for the 370-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 Columbia, South Carolina, for about 5 hours typically costs around $587.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 370-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $126 per night, adding $251 - $377 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $42 and $251.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Columbia to Montgomery?
- 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 Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL
If you're moving a larger household from Columbia, South Carolina, 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 Montgomery, Alabama.
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 $937 and $1,845.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Columbia to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $875 - $1,404
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $937 - $1,845
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,228 - $2,394
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $63 - $126 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Columbia, South Carolina, for about five hours typically runs $587.
What are the best freight companies from Columbia to Montgomery?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Columbia to Montgomery, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Columbia, SC vs Montgomery, AL
Columbia and Montgomery land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 87 in Columbia and 79 in Montgomery, and rent tracks closely too ($1,447/mo vs. $1,200/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (35 vs 26) and safety scores (48.39 vs 34.75) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from South Carolina to Alabama, 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. South Carolina alone has 53 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 370-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Columbia, SC, to Montgomery, AL, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,023 - $6,230 on the 370-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $954 - $2,734 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $346 - $933 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,763 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Alfa and Colonial Banc Group.
FAQs: Moving from Columbia, SC, to Montgomery, AL
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL?
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.
What is the best time of year to move from Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. Alabama also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How long does a move from Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($99 - $113), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $126/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL?
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 $399 - $796. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Columbia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Columbia handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
