($367+) St. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Columbus, OH, runs anywhere from $383 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,890 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 416 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 $1,118, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,890 or more.
- Moving containers run $976 - $2,912, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $383 - $1,040.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Columbus, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,795 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. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH
Moving options from St. Louis to Columbus fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,795 - $4,973 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 416 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 4 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 416-mile route from St. Louis to Columbus, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,118 - $3,714, container $976 - $1,706, rental truck $383 - $710, freight trailer $896 - $1,565.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,795 - $4,973, container $1,166 - $2,373, rental truck $399 - $808, freight trailer $1,010 - $1,955.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,047 - $6,890, container $1,529 - $2,912, rental truck $496 - $1,040, freight trailer $1,300 - $2,473.
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 St. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 416-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Columbus, Ohio, with prices running from $1,118 - $6,890. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $260 - $1,736 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between St. Louis and Columbus are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, St. Louis movers tend to run around $247 as a base rate plus $145/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,118 - $3,714
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,795 - $4,973
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,047 - $6,890
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. Louis to Columbus.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri 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 St. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of St. Louis 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 packing93% of local movers | $434 - $4,340 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $174 - $1,042/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $260 - $2,083 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs86% of local movers | $868 - $2,604 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,170 - $8,680 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $650 - $1,235 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $868 - $2,170 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Arch Moving | $694 - $3,038 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $260 - $1,302 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $564 - $1,736 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $260 - $13,020+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $260 - $3,038+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis 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.
How much do local movers cost in St. Louis, MO?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from St. Louis to Columbus with a local mover averages $1,778 - $4,924. Working with a local mover based in St. Louis, MO often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.72/5 stars) is a local mover in St. Louis, based on our analysis of feedback from 263 customers, 83.7% of which is positive.
Address: 3050 Armona Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63129 | Founded: 1989
Moving container costs from St. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Columbus, Ohio, cost between $976 and $2,912. 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 St. Louis adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $976 - $1,706
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,166 - $2,373
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,529 - $2,912
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both St. Louis, MO 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 $608 in St. Louis, MO, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $65 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $130 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 Missouri 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 $976. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,166 - $2,373, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis 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. Louis 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. Louis:
- Arch Moving (4.7/5), 23 years in business
- ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 37 years in business
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH
Plan on $383 - $1,040 for a rental moving truck on the 416-mile route from St. Louis, Missouri, to Columbus, Ohio. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $115 - $131
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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. Louis to Columbus based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $383 - $710
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $399 - $808
- 4+ bedrooms: $496 - $1,040
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $383 - $1,040 does not include fuel ($115 - $131) , lodging ($130/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from St. Louis to Columbus typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $115 - $131 for the 416-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. Louis, Missouri, for about 5 hours typically costs around $608.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 416-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $130 per night, adding $260 - $391 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $43 and $260.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis 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. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from St. Louis, Missouri, to Columbus, Ohio. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $781 and $1,955.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $896 - $1,565
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,010 - $1,955
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,300 - $2,473
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $65 and $130.
- 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 St. Louis, Missouri, for roughly five hours typically average $608.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Columbus?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. (4.42/5 stars): Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from St. Louis to Columbus, 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: St. Louis, MO vs Columbus, OH
Good news for your budget: Columbus isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than St. Louis. Cost of living index runs 91 there against 84 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 66/100 and 30.35/100 here versus 41/100 and 50.35/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbus, OH to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Missouri 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 54 movers licensed in Missouri, useful context for sizing up this 416-mile move.
Our take
For a move from St. Louis, MO, to Columbus, OH, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,118 for a studio to $6,890 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 416-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $976 - $2,912. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $383 - $1,040, 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 $1,795 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 St. Louis, MO, to Columbus, OH
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 30.35 and 69.65 in St. Louis. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Columbus?
Columbus has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 66 and 58 in St. Louis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 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 do local movers charge in St. Louis?
Local movers based in St. Louis typically start around $247 as a base rate, plus $145/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.
What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
