($152+) Lexington, KY to Dayton, OH Movers
Moving from Lexington, KY, to Dayton, OH, runs anywhere from $144 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $4,537 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 136 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $717, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $4,537 or more.
- Moving containers run $767 - $2,141, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $144 - $326.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lexington, KY, to Dayton, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,204 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 Lexington, KY to Dayton, OH
There are 3 main ways to move from Lexington to Dayton: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $1,204 - $3,546. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 136 miles, expect 1 to 2 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 136-mile route from Lexington to Dayton, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $717 - $3,103 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($767 - $1,334), rental truck ($144 - $244), or freight trailer ($684 - $1,133). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,204 - $3,546 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $4,537.
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 Lexington, KY to Dayton, OH
For the 136-mile move from Lexington, Kentucky, to Dayton, Ohio, full-service movers cost between $717 and $4,537. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $260 - $1,732 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Lexington generally start around $197 plus $70 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lexington to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $717 - $3,103
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,204 - $3,546
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,659 - $4,537
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 Lexington to Dayton.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Kentucky to Ohio. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Lexington, KY to Dayton, OH
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Lexington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Dayton, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $433 - $4,330 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC | $173 - $1,039/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $260 - $2,078 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage43% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $866 - $2,598 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,165 - $8,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $649 - $1,232 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items57% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Vincent Fister Inc. | $866 - $2,165 |
| Piano | Any piano type86% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC | $693 - $3,031 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $260 - $1,299 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: From Here To There, LLC | $563 - $1,732 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $260 - $12,990+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $260 - $3,031+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Lexington to Dayton?
Movers licensed to operate in Ohio are typically members of the Ohio Association of Movers, 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 Lexington, KY?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Lexington to Dayton with a local mover averages $1,180 - $3,476. For moves under 500 miles, local moving companies in Lexington, KY can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to national carriers. Many price shorter moves using hourly or regional rates that may come in lower overall, with leaner operations and tighter service areas often translating to more flexible scheduling and a more personalized experience.
Keep in mind that not every local mover is authorized for moves that cross city or state lines. Always confirm interstate licensing and proper insurance before booking.
Wildcat Moving LLC (4.7/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Lexington, ranked #1 in Kentucky, based on our analysis of feedback from 321 customers, 85.0% of which is positive.
Address: 236 Big Run Rd, Lexington, KY, 40503 | Founded: 2012
Moving container costs from Lexington, KY to Dayton, OH
Moving containers from Lexington, Kentucky, to Dayton, Ohio, cost between $767 and $2,141. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Lexington typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lexington to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $767 - $1,334
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $994 - $1,783
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,229 - $2,141
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $65 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $130 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Dayton, OH, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $606 in Lexington, KY. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Kentucky 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 $767. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $994 - $1,783, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Lexington to Dayton?
- 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 Lexington 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 Lexington:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 20 years in business
- Saunier Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.6/5), 38 years in business
- My 3 Son's Moving, 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Lexington, KY to Dayton, OH
Plan on $144 - $326 for a rental moving truck on the 136-mile route from Lexington, Kentucky, to Dayton, Ohio. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $37 - $43
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Lexington 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 Lexington to Dayton based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $144 - $244
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $153 - $299
- 4+ bedrooms: $182 - $326
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Lexington to Dayton starts at $144 - $326, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($37 - $43) , overnight lodging ($130/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
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 $65 and $303.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $130.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $37 and $43 for the 136-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 $606 for 2 movers in Lexington, Kentucky, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Lexington to Dayton?
- 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 Lexington, KY to Dayton, OH
If you're moving a larger household from Lexington, Kentucky, 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 Dayton, Ohio.
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 $720 and $1,357.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lexington to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $684 - $1,133
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $720 - $1,357
- 4+ bedrooms: $953 - $1,781
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Lexington, Kentucky, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $606.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $65 - $130 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 Lexington to Dayton?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Phoenix Transportation Services, LLC (4.38/5 stars): Phoenix Transportation Services, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Lexington to Dayton, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Lexington, KY vs Dayton, OH
Day-to-day costs in Dayton are close to what you're used to in Lexington: cost of living index of 80 versus 91, with average rent of $925/mo compared to $1,345/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 90/100 and 49.12/100 in Lexington versus 45/100 and 40.68/100 in Dayton.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Dayton, OH to Lexington, KY guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Kentucky to Ohio, 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 27 movers licensed in Kentucky, useful context for sizing up this 136-mile move.
Our take
The 136-mile move from Lexington, KY, to Dayton, OH, costs between $717 and $4,537 with full-service movers, $767 - $2,141 with a moving container, and $144 - $326 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 $1,204 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 Morgan Linen & Uniform Services and Premier Physicians.
FAQs: Moving from Lexington, KY, to Dayton, OH
What is the cheapest way to move from Lexington, KY to Dayton, 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 $153 - $299. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Dayton?
For families, Downtown, Webster Station, and South Park are worth a look in Dayton. If you're moving solo or without kids, Oakwood, Centerville, and Springboro tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Lexington, KY to Dayton, 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 do local movers charge in Lexington?
Local movers based in Lexington typically start around $197 as a base rate, plus $70/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 Dayton run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Lexington, KY to Dayton, OH?
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 percentage of Lexington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 86% of movers in Lexington handle piano moves, and 57% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
