($527+) St. Paul, MN to Columbus, OH Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Columbus, OH, runs anywhere from $527 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,284 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 757 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,706, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,284 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,034 - $3,394, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $527 - $1,454.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Columbus, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,276 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 St. Paul, MN to Columbus, OH
Moving options from St. Paul to Columbus fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,276 - $5,822 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 43% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 76% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 757 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 757-mile route from St. Paul to Columbus, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,706 - $4,309 | $1,034 - $1,860 | $527 - $1,030 | $893 - $1,658 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,276 - $5,822 | $1,300 - $2,764 | $556 - $1,223 | $1,062 - $2,169 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,237 - $8,284 | $1,779 - $3,394 | $740 - $1,454 | $1,466 - $2,879 |
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 St. Paul, MN to Columbus, OH
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 757-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Columbus, Ohio, with costs ranging from $1,706 - $8,284. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $293 - $1,952. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Paul and Columbus. Local movers in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,706 - $4,309
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,276 - $5,822
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,237 - $8,284
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 St. Paul to Columbus.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from St. Paul, MN to Columbus, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of St. Paul 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 packing82% of local movers | $488 - $4,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $195 - $1,171/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,342 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $976 - $2,928 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,440 - $9,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $731 - $1,389 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $976 - $2,440 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $781 - $3,416 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $293 - $1,464 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally | $634 - $1,952 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $293 - $14,640+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $293 - $3,416+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul 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 St. Paul, MN. 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 St. Paul, MN to Columbus, OH
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Columbus, Ohio, cost between $1,034 and $3,394. 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 St. Paul typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,034 - $1,860
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,300 - $2,764
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,779 - $3,394
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In St. Paul, MN, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $683, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $73 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $146 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both St. Paul, MN, and Columbus, OH, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Minnesota 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 $1,034. 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 $1,300 - $2,764.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul:
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Good Stuff Moving (4.8/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to Columbus, OH
A rental truck for this 757-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Columbus, Ohio, costs between $527 and $1,454. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $235 - $269
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- St. Paul 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 St. Paul to Columbus based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $527 - $1,030
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $556 - $1,223
- 4+ bedrooms: $740 - $1,454
Pro tip: The base rate of $527 - $1,454 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from St. Paul to Columbus. Fuel ($235 - $269), lodging at around $146/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $235 - $269 for the 757-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for about 5 hours typically costs around $683.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 757-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $146 per night, adding $293 - $439 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $49 and $293.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul 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 St. Paul, MN to Columbus, OH
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Columbus, Ohio, 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 $1,062 and $2,169.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $893 - $1,658
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,062 - $2,169
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,466 - $2,879
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In St. Paul, Minnesota, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $683.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $73 - $146 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to Columbus?
- 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 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: St. Paul, MN vs Columbus, OH
Good news for your budget: Columbus isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than St. Paul. Cost of living index runs 91 there against 102 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 60/100 and 49.14/100 here versus 41/100 and 50.35/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbus, OH to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to Ohio in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 151 movers based in Minnesota, handy for sizing up options on this 757-mile route.
Our take
A move from St. Paul, MN, 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 $1,706 - $8,284 on the 757-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,034 - $3,394, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $527 - $1,454. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,276 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 St. Paul, MN, to Columbus, OH
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 do local movers charge in St. Paul?
Local movers based in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Columbus run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 are the best neighborhoods in Columbus?
For families, Bexley, Clintonville, and Gahanna are worth a look in Columbus. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Short North, and Victorian Village tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Columbus?
Columbus has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 60 and 64 in St. Paul. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.