Moving from Knoxville, TN to Columbia, SC
About 247 miles across a state line, from Tennessee 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 Knoxville, TN to Columbia, SC covers about 247 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $1,112 – $1,482 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 136 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 247 miles, about 4 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $1,112 – $1,482. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 4 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Knoxville to Columbia
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $834 – $1,112 | $600 – $800 | $400 – $534 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,000 – $1,334 | $720 – $960 | $480 – $640 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,112 – $1,482 | $800 – $1,067 | $534 – $711 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,278 – $1,704 | $920 – $1,227 | $614 – $818 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,445 – $1,927 | $1,040 – $1,387 | $694 – $925 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,667 – $2,223 | $1,200 – $1,601 | $800 – $1,067 |
Transport only, for an estimated 247 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, Knoxville to Columbia
247 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,235. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $1,112 to $1,482, 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 Knoxville to Columbia
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 136 people a year (±94) moved from Knox County, TN, home to Knoxville, to Richland County, SC, home to Columbia. Going the other way: about 127 people a year (±143). Movers from Knox 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 3,385 people a year (±1,543) moving from Tennessee to South Carolina and about 4,212 people a year (±2,049) from South Carolina to Tennessee — a net gain for Tennessee of about 827 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Anderson County, TN | 2,034 ±555 |
| Blount County, TN | 1,005 ±294 |
| Davidson County, TN | 890 ±271 |
| Williamson County, TN | 693 ±335 |
| Loudon County, TN | 662 ±264 |
| 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
13 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Knoxville (34 counting those licensed only inside Tennessee). 8 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 23.5% of their 34 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gouffon Moving & Storage Company IncUSDOT 553340 | Knoxville · 5 mi | 17 trucks | 7 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Rowe Transfer IncUSDOT 1079919 | Knoxville · 7 mi | 17 trucks | 25 | 23.1% of 13 |
| Fox Moving and Storage of East Tennessee LLCUSDOT 2500143 | Knoxville · 5 mi | 16 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of Knoxville LLCUSDOT 2087637 | Knoxville · 16 mi | 9 trucks | 7 | 0.0% of 5 |
| Mitchell Moving LLCUSDOT 3129249 | Knoxville · 5 mi | 5 trucks | 4 | 50.0% of 4 |
| 865 Movers LLCUSDOT 4519566 | Knoxville · 5 mi | 2 trucks | 0 | — |
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 Tennessee 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 Knoxville to Columbia
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 247 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
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 Knoxville
All routes from Knoxville, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville to Chattanooga, TN | ~117 mi | $527 – $702 |
| Knoxville to Atlanta, GA | ~180 mi | $810 – $1,080 |
| Knoxville to Nashville, TN | ~187 mi | $842 – $1,122 |
| Knoxville to Charlotte, NC | ~210 mi | $945 – $1,260 |
| Knoxville to Louisville, KY | ~219 mi | $986 – $1,314 |
| Knoxville to Augusta, GA | ~238 mi | $1,071 – $1,428 |
| Knoxville to Cincinnati, OH | ~256 mi | $1,152 – $1,536 |
| Knoxville to Evansville, IN | ~285 mi | $1,283 – $1,710 |
Also moving to Columbia: from Augusta, GA, from Charlotte, NC, from Greenville, SC, from Charleston, SC.
Knoxville to Columbia moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Knoxville to Columbia, SC?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 247 miles cost about $834 – $1,112 for a studio, $1,112 – $1,482 for a two-bedroom home and $1,278 – $1,704 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Knoxville to Columbia, SC take?
The drive is about 4 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Knoxville to Columbia, SC?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $534 – $711 for a two-bedroom home, against $1,112 – $1,482 with full-service movers; a moving container is $800 – $1,067.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Knoxville to Columbia, SC?
Yes. Knoxville is in Tennessee and Columbia is in South Carolina, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 13 listed movers within 30 miles of Knoxville hold it.
How many people move from Knoxville to Columbia, SC each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 136 people a year (margin of error ±94) moved from Knox County, which contains Knoxville, 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.