($421+) Columbia, SC to Akron, OH Movers
Moving from Columbia, SC, to Akron, OH, runs anywhere from $421 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,969 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 569 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 $1,273, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,969 or more.
- Moving containers run $920 - $2,948, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $421 - $1,178.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Columbia, SC, to Akron, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,908 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 Akron, OH
Moving options from Columbia to Akron fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,908 - $5,084 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 36% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 75% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 569 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 569-mile route from Columbia to Akron, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,273 - $3,527 | $920 - $1,655 | $421 - $823 | $871 - $1,505 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,908 - $5,084 | $1,216 - $2,406 | $477 - $987 | $1,013 - $2,001 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,360 - $6,969 | $1,556 - $2,948 | $601 - $1,178 | $1,324 - $2,531 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Columbia, SC to Akron, OH
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 569-mile move from Columbia, South Carolina, to Akron, Ohio, with prices running from $1,273 - $6,969. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $254 - $1,692 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Columbia and Akron are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Columbia movers tend to run around $262 as a base rate plus $256/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Columbia to Akron:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,273 - $3,527
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,908 - $5,084
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,360 - $6,969
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 Akron.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Columbia, SC to Akron, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Columbia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Akron, 64% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $423 - $4,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $169 - $1,015/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $254 - $2,030 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage4% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $846 - $2,538 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,115 - $8,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $634 - $1,204 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentlemen Movers Inc. | $846 - $2,115 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $677 - $2,961 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $254 - $1,269 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $550 - $1,692 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $254 - $12,690+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $254 - $2,961+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Columbia to Akron?
Ohio Association of Movers membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Ohio, 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Columbia, SC. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Columbia, SC to Akron, OH
Moving containers from Columbia, South Carolina, to Akron, Ohio, cost between $920 and $2,948. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Columbia typically costs about $50/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Columbia to Akron:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $920 - $1,655
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,216 - $2,406
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,556 - $2,948
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Columbia, SC, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $592, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $63 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $127 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Columbia, SC, and Akron, OH, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a South Carolina to Ohio 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 $920. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,216 - $2,406.
What are the best moving containers Columbia to Akron?
- 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 Akron, OH
A rental truck for this 569-mile move from Columbia, South Carolina, to Akron, Ohio, costs between $421 and $1,178. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $153 - $175
- 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 Akron based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $421 - $823
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $477 - $987
- 4+ bedrooms: $601 - $1,178
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $421 - $1,178 does not include fuel ($153 - $175), lodging ($127/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Columbia to Akron typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $63 and $296.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $127.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $153 and $175 for the 569-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $592 for 2 movers in Columbia, South Carolina, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Columbia to Akron?
- 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 Akron, OH
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Columbia, South Carolina, to Akron, Ohio. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,013 and $2,001.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Columbia to Akron:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $871 - $1,505
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,013 - $2,001
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,324 - $2,531
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $63 and $127.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Columbia, South Carolina, for roughly five hours typically average $592.
What are the best freight companies from Columbia to Akron?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Columbia to Akron, 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 Akron, OH
Day-to-day costs in Akron are close to what you're used to in Columbia: cost of living index of 81 versus 87, with average rent of $950/mo compared to $1,447/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 35/100 and 48.39/100 in Columbia versus 48/100 and 50.39/100 in Akron.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Akron, OH to Columbia, SC guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from South Carolina to Ohio, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 155 movers licensed in South Carolina, useful context for sizing up this 569-mile move.
Our take
The 569-mile move from Columbia, SC, to Akron, OH, costs between $1,273 and $6,969 with full-service movers, $920 - $2,948 with a moving container, and $421 - $1,178 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 $1,908 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 Goodyear and Signet Jewelers.
FAQs: Moving from Columbia, SC, to Akron, OH
What do local movers charge in Columbia?
Local movers based in Columbia typically start around $262 as a base rate, plus $256/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 Akron run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Columbia, SC to Akron, OH take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Akron?
For families, Northwest Akron, Merriman Valley, and Fairlawn Heights are worth a look in Akron. If you're moving solo or without kids, Highland Square, Downtown Akron, and Merriman Valley tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Columbia, SC to Akron, OH?
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 $477 - $987. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Akron a safe place to live?
Akron has a safety index of 50.39 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 48.39 and 3.0 in Columbia. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Columbia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Columbia handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.