($354+) Columbus, OH to Arlington, VA Movers
Moving from Columbus, OH, to Arlington, VA, runs anywhere from $354 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,327 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 401 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 $1,186, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,327 or more.
- Moving containers run $849 - $2,775, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $354 - $981.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Columbus, OH, to Arlington, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,834 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 Arlington, VA
Moving options from Columbus to Arlington 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 $1,834 - $5,126 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 35% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 80% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 401 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 401-mile route from Columbus to Arlington, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,186 - $3,602 | $849 - $1,513 | $354 - $637 | $765 - $1,491 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,834 - $5,126 | $1,191 - $2,129 | $373 - $778 | $907 - $1,844 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,142 - $7,327 | $1,503 - $2,775 | $468 - $981 | $1,239 - $2,355 |
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 Columbus, OH to Arlington, VA
Full-service movers for the 401-mile relocation from Columbus, Ohio, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $1,186 and $7,327. 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 $361 - $2,404, 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 Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,186 - $3,602
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,834 - $5,126
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,142 - $7,327
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 Arlington.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Columbus, OH to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 65% of Columbus movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Arlington, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $601 - $6,010 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready65% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All American Moving and Storage | $240 - $1,442/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $361 - $2,885 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,202 - $3,606 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,005 - $12,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $900 - $1,710 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items11% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: E.E. Ward Moving & Storage | $1,202 - $3,005 |
| Piano | Any piano type46% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: MVM Moving & Storage | $962 - $4,207 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $361 - $1,803 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Integrity Moving & Storage | $781 - $2,404 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $361 - $18,030+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $361 - $4,207+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Columbus to Arlington?
Movers licensed to operate in Virginia are typically members of the Virginia 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 Arlington with a local mover averages $1,889 - $5,279. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Columbus, OH 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.
MVM Moving & Storage (4.8/5 stars) is a local mover in Columbus, based on our analysis of feedback from 989 customers, 95.4% of which is positive.
Address: 3979 Parkway Lane, Hilliard, OH, 43026 | Founded: 2005
Moving container costs from Columbus, OH to Arlington, VA
Moving containers from Columbus, Ohio, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $849 and $2,775. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Columbus runs about $65/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Columbus to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $849 - $1,513
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,191 - $2,129
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,503 - $2,775
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Columbus, OH and Arlington, VA. 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 $841 in Columbus, OH, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $90 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $180 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 Virginia 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 $849. 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 $1,191 - $2,129.
What are the best moving containers Columbus to Arlington?
- 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:
- MVM Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 21 years in business
- All American Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 23 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 32 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Columbus, OH to Arlington, VA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 401 miles from Columbus, Ohio, to Arlington, Virginia, running $354 - $981. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $153 - $175
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- 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 Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $354 - $637
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $373 - $778
- 4+ bedrooms: $468 - $981
Pro tip: A rental truck from Columbus to Arlington looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $354 - $981. But once you factor in fuel ($153 - $175), overnight lodging ($180/night), meals, and equipment rentals, the total adds up to 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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $180 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $78 and $391 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $153 - $175 in fuel for the 401-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $841 in Columbus, Ohio, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Columbus to Arlington?
- 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 Arlington, VA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Columbus, Ohio, to Arlington, Virginia, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $907 and $1,844.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Columbus to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $765 - $1,491
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $907 - $1,844
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,239 - $2,355
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $90 - $180 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 $841.
What are the best freight companies from Columbus to Arlington?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Arlington 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 Arlington, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Arlington, side by side with Columbus on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Columbus, OH | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 164 |
| Average rent | $1,441/mo | $2,718/mo |
| Median home value | $233,368 | $866,334 |
| Average income | $65,327/yr | $140,160/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7% | 4.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 3.5% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 50.35/100 | 79.15/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Arlington, VA to Columbus, OH guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Ohio to Virginia, 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 282 movers licensed in Ohio, useful context for sizing up this 401-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Columbus, OH, to Arlington, VA, 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 $1,186 - $7,327 on the 401-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $849 - $2,775 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $354 - $981 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,834 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 U.S. Department of Defense and Safran.
FAQs: Moving from Columbus, OH, to Arlington, VA
What is the best time of year to move from Columbus, OH to Arlington, VA?
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. Virginia 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.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Arlington a safe place to live?
Arlington has a safety index of 79.15 out of 100 and a crime index of 15.67, compared to 50.35 and 49.65 in Columbus. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Columbus, OH to Arlington, VA?
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 $373 - $778. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Arlington?
For families, Arlington Ridge, Barcroft, and Chain Bridge Forest are worth a look in Arlington. If you're moving solo or without kids, Aurora Highlands, Ballston-Virginia Square, and Bluemont tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Columbus movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 46% of movers in Columbus handle piano moves, and 11% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.