($383+) Columbus, OH to Rochester, NY Movers
Moving from Columbus, OH, to Rochester, NY, runs anywhere from $361 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,617 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 395 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 $1,159, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,617 or more.
- Moving containers run $890 - $2,779, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $361 - $1,010.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Columbus, OH, to Rochester, NY. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,928 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 Columbus, OH to Rochester, NY
Moving options from Columbus to Rochester fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $1,928 - $5,079 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 395 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 395-mile route from Columbus to Rochester, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,159 - $4,160 | $890 - $1,665 | $361 - $643 | $835 - $1,469 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,928 - $5,079 | $1,151 - $2,408 | $389 - $819 | $921 - $1,744 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,276 - $7,617 | $1,604 - $2,779 | $494 - $1,010 | $1,283 - $2,363 |
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 Columbus, OH to Rochester, NY
Full-service movers for the 395-mile relocation from Columbus, Ohio, to Rochester, New York, cost between $1,159 and $7,617. 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 $271 - $1,804, 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 Columbus typically charge a base rate around $325 plus $145 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Columbus to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,159 - $4,160
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,928 - $5,079
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,276 - $7,617
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 Columbus to Rochester.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Ohio to New York. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Columbus, OH to Rochester, NY
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of Columbus movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Rochester, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $451 - $4,510 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All American Moving and Storage | $180 - $1,082/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $271 - $2,165 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers | $902 - $2,706 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,255 - $9,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $676 - $1,284 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items37% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: MVM Moving & Storage | $902 - $2,255 |
| Piano | Any piano type53% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All American Moving and Storage | $722 - $3,157 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling23% of local movers | $271 - $1,353 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: E.E. Ward Moving & Storage | $586 - $1,804 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $271 - $13,530+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $271 - $3,157+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Columbus to Rochester?
Movers licensed to operate in New York are typically members of the New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Columbus, OH?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Columbus to Rochester with a local mover averages $1,871 - $4,927. Working with a local mover based in Columbus, OH often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
MVM Moving & Storage (4.76/5 stars) is a local mover in Columbus, based on our analysis of feedback from 257 customers, 96.9% of which is positive.
Address: 3979 Parkway Lane, Hilliard, OH, 43026 | Founded: 2005
Moving container costs from Columbus, OH to Rochester, NY
Moving containers from Columbus, Ohio, to Rochester, New York, cost between $890 and $2,779. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Columbus typically runs around $65/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Columbus to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $890 - $1,665
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,151 - $2,408
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,604 - $2,779
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Columbus, OH and Rochester, NY. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $631 in Columbus, OH, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $68 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $135 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Ohio to New York 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 $890. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,151 - $2,408, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Columbus to Rochester?
- 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 Columbus 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 Columbus:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 32 years in business
- EkoMovers (4.3/5), 16 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Columbus, OH to Rochester, NY
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 395 miles from Columbus, Ohio, to Rochester, New York, running $361 - $1,010. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $113 - $130
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Columbus daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
| 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 Columbus to Rochester based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $361 - $643
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $389 - $819
- 4+ bedrooms: $494 - $1,010
Pro tip: A rental truck from Columbus to Rochester looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $361 - $1,010. But once you factor in fuel ($113 - $130) , overnight lodging ($135/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $68 and $316.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $135.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $113 and $130 for the 395-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 $631 for 2 movers in Columbus, Ohio, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Columbus to Rochester?
- 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 Columbus, OH to Rochester, NY
If you're moving a larger household from Columbus, Ohio, 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 Rochester, New York.
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 $921 and $1,744.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Columbus to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $835 - $1,469
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $921 - $1,744
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,283 - $2,363
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $68 - $135 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Columbus, Ohio, typically costs $631.
What are the best freight companies from Columbus to Rochester?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- THE Sygma Network (4.5/5 stars): THE Sygma Network is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Rochester fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Columbus, OH vs Rochester, NY
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Columbus and Rochester to plan around. Cost of living index: 91 vs. 89. Average rent: $1,441/mo vs. $1,250/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 41 vs. 61. Safety index: 50.35 vs. 36.66.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Rochester, NY to Columbus, OH guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Ohio to New York over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 103 movers in our Ohio network to compare for this 395-mile move.
Our take
The 395-mile move from Columbus, OH, to Rochester, NY, costs between $1,159 and $7,617 with full-service movers, $890 - $2,779 with a moving container, and $361 - $1,010 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 $1,928 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 Wegmans Food Markets and Paychex.
FAQs: Moving from Columbus, OH, to Rochester, NY
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Columbus, OH to Rochester, NY?
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 Columbus, OH to Rochester, NY?
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. New York 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 Columbus, OH to Rochester, NY 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 ($113 - $130), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $135/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Columbus, OH to Rochester, NY?
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 $389 - $819. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Columbus movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 53% of movers in Columbus handle piano moves, and 37% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
