Moving from Newark, NJ to Columbia, SC
About 698 miles across a state line, from New Jersey into South Carolina, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Newark, NJ to Columbia, SC covers about 698 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,141 – $4,188 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 157 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 698 miles between New Jersey and South Carolina, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $3,141 – $4,188 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 13 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Newark to Columbia
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,356 – $3,141 | $1,696 – $2,262 | $1,131 – $1,508 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,827 – $3,769 | $2,035 – $2,714 | $1,357 – $1,809 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,141 – $4,188 | $2,262 – $3,015 | $1,508 – $2,010 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,612 – $4,816 | $2,601 – $3,468 | $1,734 – $2,312 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,083 – $5,444 | $2,940 – $3,920 | $1,960 – $2,613 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,712 – $6,282 | $3,392 – $4,523 | $2,262 – $3,015 |
Transport only, for an estimated 698 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Newark to Columbia
698 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,490. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,141 to $4,188, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Newark to Columbia
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 157 people a year (±133) moved from Essex County, NJ, home to Newark, to Richland County, SC, home to Columbia. Going the other way: about 29 people a year (±50). Movers from Essex County make up 0.3% of the 51,293 people a year who moved into Richland County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 4,259 people a year (±1,887) moving from New Jersey to South Carolina and about 1,659 people a year (±867) from South Carolina to New Jersey — a net gain for South Carolina of about 2,600 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Union County, NJ | 5,365 ±874 |
| Hudson County, NJ | 2,777 ±643 |
| Morris County, NJ | 2,393 ±502 |
| Passaic County, NJ | 2,180 ±581 |
| Middlesex County, NJ | 1,890 ±526 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Lexington County, SC | 7,157 ±1,421 |
| Orangeburg County, SC | 1,665 ±719 |
| Mecklenburg County, NC | 1,599 ±1,099 |
| Greenville County, SC | 1,336 ±336 |
| Fairfax County, VA | 1,312 ±1,541 |
Licensed movers at each end
517 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Newark (922 counting those licensed only inside New Jersey). 317 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 15.1% of their 1,846 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piece of Cake MovingUSDOT 3066988 | New York City · 10 mi | 340 trucks | 383 | 10.2% of 246 |
| Roadway MovingUSDOT 1854436 | New York City · 17 mi | 190 trucks | 236 | 12.0% of 166 |
| Budd Van Lines IncUSDOT 185771 | Somerset · 25 mi | 124 trucks | 107 | 7.1% of 56 |
| Great Moving IncUSDOT 2180117 | Staten Island · 9 mi | 70 trucks | 5 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Great Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 3547419 | South Plainfiel · 17 mi | 70 trucks | 20 | 21.4% of 14 |
| Oz Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 1058063 | Yonkers · 21 mi | 35 trucks | 27 | 13.3% of 15 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Columbia end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Columbia: Gamecock Moving LLC (West Columbia, 9 trucks), Movemart Relocation Inc (Columbia, 8 trucks), College Hunks Moving (Columbia, 5 trucks), Palmetto Specialty Transfer LLC (Columbia, 5 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from New Jersey into South Carolina, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Newark to Columbia
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 698 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Columbia
A local move inside Columbia later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $445 – $733 for a two-bedroom home and $741 – $1,344 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Columbia are Augusta (about 76 mi), Charlotte (about 100 mi), Greenville (about 114 mi).
Other routes from Newark
All routes from Newark, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Newark to Jersey City, NJ | ~8 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Newark to New York City, NY | ~10 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Newark to Paterson, NJ | ~15 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Newark to Mount Vernon, NY | ~25 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Newark to Bridgeport, CT | ~70 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Newark to Philadelphia, PA | 85 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Newark to Providence, RI | ~189 mi | $851 – $1,134 |
| Newark to Baltimore, MD | ~190 mi | $855 – $1,140 |
Also moving to Columbia: from Augusta, GA, from Charlotte, NC, from Greenville, SC, from Charleston, SC.
Newark to Columbia moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Newark to Columbia, SC?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 698 miles cost about $2,356 – $3,141 for a studio, $3,141 – $4,188 for a two-bedroom home and $3,612 – $4,816 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Newark to Columbia, SC take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 13 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Newark to Columbia, SC?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,508 – $2,010 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,141 – $4,188 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,262 – $3,015.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Newark to Columbia, SC?
Yes. Newark is in New Jersey and Columbia is in South Carolina, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 517 listed movers within 30 miles of Newark hold it.
How many people move from Newark to Columbia, SC each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 157 people a year (margin of error ±133) moved from Essex County, which contains Newark, to Richland County, which contains Columbia.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.