($507+) Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Columbus, OH, runs anywhere from $487 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,771 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 658 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 $1,599, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,771 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,061 - $3,377, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $487 - $1,321.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to Columbus, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,383 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 Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH
Moving options from Montgomery to Columbus fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,383 - $6,244 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 658 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 658-mile route from Montgomery to Columbus, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,599 - $4,304, container $1,061 - $1,978, rental truck $487 - $930, freight trailer $983 - $1,780.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,383 - $6,244, container $1,334 - $2,632, rental truck $542 - $1,081, freight trailer $1,100 - $2,191.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,105 - $8,771, container $1,912 - $3,377, rental truck $724 - $1,321, freight trailer $1,399 - $2,840.
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 Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 658-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbus, Ohio, with prices running from $1,599 - $8,771. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $251 - $1,676 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Montgomery and Columbus are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Montgomery movers tend to run around $462 as a base rate plus $133/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,599 - $4,304
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,383 - $6,244
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,105 - $8,771
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 Montgomery to Columbus.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Alabama to Ohio. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Columbus, 87% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $419 - $4,190 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $168 - $1,006/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $251 - $2,011 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage60% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers | $838 - $2,514 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,095 - $8,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $628 - $1,192 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $838 - $2,095 |
| Piano | Any piano type80% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $670 - $2,933 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling80% of local movers | $251 - $1,257 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Motivated Movers, Inc. | $545 - $1,676 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $251 - $12,570+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $251 - $2,933+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery to Columbus?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Ohio Association of Movers is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Montgomery, AL. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbus, Ohio, cost between $1,061 and $3,377. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Columbus. If you go over that window, storage in Montgomery adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,061 - $1,978
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,334 - $2,632
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,912 - $3,377
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Montgomery, AL and Columbus, OH. 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 $587 in Montgomery, AL, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $63 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $126 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 Alabama 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 $1,061. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,334 - $2,632, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Montgomery to Columbus?
- 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery:
- McCorquodale Transfer (5.0/5), 28 years in business
- Motivated Movers, Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
- Admiral Movers (4.8/5), 37 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH
Plan on $487 - $1,321 for a rental moving truck on the 658-mile route from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbus, Ohio. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $175 - $201
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Montgomery daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Montgomery to Columbus based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $487 - $930
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $542 - $1,081
- 4+ bedrooms: $724 - $1,321
Pro tip: A rental truck from Montgomery to Columbus looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $487 - $1,321. But once you factor in fuel ($175 - $201) , overnight lodging ($126/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 $63 and $293.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $126.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $175 and $201 for the 658-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 $587 for 2 movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to Columbus?
- 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 Montgomery, AL to Columbus, 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 Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbus, 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,100 and $2,191.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $983 - $1,780
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,100 - $2,191
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,399 - $2,840
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 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 $126.
- 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 Montgomery, Alabama, for roughly five hours typically average $587.
What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Columbus?
- 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.
- MAF Expedited Bhm Express (4/5 stars): MAF Expedited Bhm Express is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Columbus quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Montgomery, AL vs Columbus, OH
Montgomery and Columbus land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 79 in Montgomery and 91 in Columbus, and rent tracks closely too ($1,200/mo vs. $1,441/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (26 vs 41) and safety scores (34.75 vs 50.35) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbus, OH to Montgomery, AL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to Ohio 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 46 movers in our Alabama network to compare for this 658-mile move.
Our take
A move from Montgomery, AL, to Columbus, OH, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,599 - $8,771 on the 658-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,061 - $3,377, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $487 - $1,321. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,383 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Columbus tend to point to low cost of living and delicious food, though bad drivers and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Ohio State University and The State of Ohio.
FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Columbus, OH
How long does a move from Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH 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 ($175 - $201), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $126/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Montgomery, AL to Columbus, 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 $542 - $1,081. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH?
Costs on this route range from around $1,599 to $8,771, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,599 and $8,771, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Montgomery movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 80% of movers in Montgomery handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
