($478+) Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Columbus, OH, runs anywhere from $478 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,030 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $1,508, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,030 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,031 - $3,250, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $478 - $1,363.
- 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 $2,203 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. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,203 - $5,549 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 77% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 658 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
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:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,508 - $4,186 with full-service movers, $1,031 - $1,902 with a container, $478 - $949 with a rental truck, or $856 - $1,695 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,203 - $5,549 full-service, $1,323 - $2,583 by container, $516 - $1,020 by rental truck, or $1,069 - $1,986 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,029 - $8,030 full-service, $1,786 - $3,250 by container, $644 - $1,363 by rental truck, or $1,402 - $2,704 by freight.
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 Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH
Full-service movers for the 658-mile relocation from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbus, Ohio, cost between $1,508 and $8,030. 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 $251 - $1,676, 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 Montgomery typically charge a base rate around $462 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,508 - $4,186
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,203 - $5,549
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,029 - $8,030
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.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 58% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Columbus, 65% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $419 - $4,190 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $168 - $1,006/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $251 - $2,011 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs36% 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 items36% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $838 - $2,095 |
| Piano | Any piano type58% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $670 - $2,933 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $251 - $1,257 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $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?
Look for Ohio Association of Movers membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Ohio beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Montgomery, AL. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbus, Ohio, cost between $1,031 and $3,250. 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 Montgomery typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,031 - $1,902
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,323 - $2,583
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,786 - $3,250
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $587 in Montgomery, AL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $63 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $126 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Columbus, OH, destination before booking.
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 $1,031. 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 $1,323 - $2,583.
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:
- C & R Movers, LLC (4.2/5), 12 years in business
- Admiral Movers (4.8/5), 37 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH
Truck rentals from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbus, Ohio, range from $478 - $1,363 for the 658-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- 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: $478 - $949
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $516 - $1,020
- 4+ bedrooms: $644 - $1,363
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Montgomery to Columbus starts at $478 - $1,363, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($175 - $201), overnight lodging ($126/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $126 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Montgomery, Alabama, usually costs about $587 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 658-mile drive falls between $175 and $201, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $42 and $251 to your total.
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
If you're moving a larger household from Montgomery, Alabama, 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 Columbus, Ohio.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,069 and $1,986.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $856 - $1,695
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,069 - $1,986
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,402 - $2,704
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $587.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $63 and $126 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Columbus?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Montgomery to Columbus. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
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 average rent is $1,200/mo vs. $1,441/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 26 vs 41 and safety scores are 34.75 vs 50.35.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbus, OH to Montgomery, AL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Alabama to Ohio, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 142 movers in Alabama, so you have real options to compare for this 658-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Montgomery, AL, to Columbus, OH, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,508 for a studio to $8,030 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 658-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,031 - $3,250. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $478 - $1,363, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,203 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer 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
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 $516 - $1,020. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Columbus a safe place to live?
Columbus has a safety index of 50.35 out of 100 and a crime index of 49.65, compared to 34.75 and 65.25 in Montgomery. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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.
What is the best time of year to move from Montgomery, AL to Columbus, OH?
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. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Ohio?
Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What percentage of Montgomery movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 58% of movers in Montgomery handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.