($380+) St. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Columbus, OH, runs anywhere from $380 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,716 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $1,045, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,716 or more.
- Moving containers run $923 - $2,979, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $380 - $907.
- 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 $1,785 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. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $1,785 - $4,601 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 78% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 416 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
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:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,045 - $3,764 | $923 - $1,676 | $380 - $651 | $839 - $1,422 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,785 - $4,601 | $1,136 - $2,243 | $393 - $827 | $964 - $1,760 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,999 - $6,716 | $1,490 - $2,979 | $508 - $907 | $1,229 - $2,179 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH
Hiring full-service movers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Columbus, Ohio, costs between $1,045 and $6,716. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 416-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $260 - $1,736, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between St. Louis and Columbus. For a rough baseline, movers based in St. Louis tend to start around $247 plus $145/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,045 - $3,764
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,785 - $4,601
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,999 - $6,716
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.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from St. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Columbus, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $434 - $4,340 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% 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 coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% 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 items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $868 - $2,170 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $694 - $3,038 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $260 - $1,302 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers9% 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 $1,750 - $4,509. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in St. Louis, MO often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.72/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in St. Louis, ranked #1 in Missouri, based on our analysis of feedback from 273 customers, 83.5% 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 $923 and $2,979. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in St. Louis costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $923 - $1,676
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,136 - $2,243
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,490 - $2,979
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 $923. 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 $1,136 - $2,243.
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:
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH
A rental truck for this 416-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Columbus, Ohio, costs between $380 and $907. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- 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: $380 - $651
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $393 - $827
- 4+ bedrooms: $508 - $907
Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Louis to Columbus looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $380 - $907. But once you factor in fuel ($115 - $131), overnight lodging ($130/night), meals, and equipment rentals, the total adds up to 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 $65 and $304.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $130.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $115 and $131 for the 416-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 $608 for 2 movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
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 well suited for larger moves from St. Louis, Missouri, 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 $964 and $1,760.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $839 - $1,422
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $964 - $1,760
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,229 - $2,179
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 $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 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 a great option when you need your belongings in Columbus fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
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. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 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 book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Missouri 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 105 movers based in Missouri, handy for sizing up options on this 416-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 416-mile route from St. Louis, MO, to Columbus, OH, run $1,045 - $6,716 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $923 - $2,979, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $380 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,785, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
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
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($115 - $131), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $130/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Louis, MO 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 $393 - $827. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH?
Costs on this route range from around $380 to $6,716, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,045 and $6,716, 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 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. 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 49% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.