($469+) Memphis, TN to Columbus, OH Movers
Moving from Memphis, TN, to Columbus, OH, runs anywhere from $469 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,122 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 588 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 $1,347, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,122 or more.
- Moving containers run $951 - $3,279, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $469 - $1,230.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Memphis, TN, to Columbus, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,290 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 Memphis, TN to Columbus, OH
There are 3 main ways to move from Memphis to Columbus: 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 $2,290 - $5,501. Containers cost roughly 42% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 79% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 588 miles, expect 1 to 6 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 588-mile route from Memphis to Columbus, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,347 - $3,914, container $951 - $1,767, rental truck $469 - $849, freight trailer $900 - $1,510.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,290 - $5,501, container $1,320 - $2,515, rental truck $477 - $1,019, freight trailer $1,046 - $1,954.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,780 - $8,122, container $1,694 - $3,279, rental truck $638 - $1,230, freight trailer $1,329 - $2,573.
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 Memphis, TN to Columbus, OH
For the 588-mile move from Memphis, Tennessee, to Columbus, Ohio, full-service movers cost between $1,347 and $8,122. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $264 - $1,760 (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 Memphis generally start around $334 plus $125 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Memphis to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,347 - $3,914
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,290 - $5,501
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,780 - $8,122
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 Memphis 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 Memphis, TN to Columbus, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 41% of Memphis 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 packing74% of local movers | $440 - $4,400 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready41% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Guardian Moving Systems | $176 - $1,056/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $264 - $2,112 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage19% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $880 - $2,640 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,200 - $8,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $659 - $1,252 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Cord Moving and Storage | $880 - $2,200 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $704 - $3,080 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $264 - $1,320 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect15% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Big League Movers: #1 Rated Memphis Moving Company | $572 - $1,760 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $264 - $13,200+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $264 - $3,080+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Memphis to Columbus?
Ohio Association of Movers membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Ohio, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Memphis, TN. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Memphis, TN to Columbus, OH
Moving containers from Memphis, Tennessee, to Columbus, Ohio, cost between $951 and $3,279. 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 Memphis typically runs around $45/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Memphis to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $951 - $1,767
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,320 - $2,515
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,694 - $3,279
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $66 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $132 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $616 in Memphis, TN, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Columbus, OH, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee 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 $951. 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 $1,320 - $2,515.
What are the best moving containers Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 36 years in business
- Big League Movers: #1 Rated Memphis Moving Company, 18 years in business
- Country Club Moving & Packing Inc, 32 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Memphis, TN to Columbus, OH
Plan on $469 - $1,230 for a rental moving truck on the 588-mile route from Memphis, Tennessee, to Columbus, Ohio. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $165 - $188
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Memphis 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 Memphis to Columbus based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $469 - $849
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $477 - $1,019
- 4+ bedrooms: $638 - $1,230
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $469 - $1,230 does not include fuel ($165 - $188), lodging ($132/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Memphis to Columbus typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $132 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 Memphis, Tennessee, usually costs about $616 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 588-mile drive falls between $165 and $188, 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 $44 and $264 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Memphis 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 Memphis, TN to Columbus, OH
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Memphis, Tennessee, 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 $1,046 and $1,954.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Memphis to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $900 - $1,510
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,046 - $1,954
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,329 - $2,573
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Memphis, Tennessee, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $616.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $66 - $132 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 Memphis 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: If speed matters on your move from Memphis 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: Memphis, TN vs Columbus, OH
Good news for your budget: Columbus isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Memphis. Cost of living index runs 91 there against 86 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 35/100 and 22.51/100 here versus 41/100 and 50.35/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbus, OH to Memphis, TN guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee 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 181 movers licensed in Tennessee, useful context for sizing up this 588-mile move.
Our take
The 588-mile move from Memphis, TN, to Columbus, OH, costs between $1,347 and $8,122 with full-service movers, $951 - $3,279 with a moving container, and $469 - $1,230 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 $2,290 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 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 Memphis, TN, to Columbus, OH
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 Memphis?
Local movers based in Memphis typically start around $334 as a base rate, plus $125/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 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.
How much does it cost to move from Memphis, TN to Columbus, OH?
Costs on this route range from around $469 to $8,122, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,347 and $8,122, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Memphis, TN 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 $477 - $1,019. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Memphis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Memphis handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.