($468+) Chesapeake, VA to Columbus, OH Movers
Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Columbus, OH, runs anywhere from $473 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,858 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 581 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 $1,290, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,858 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,047 - $3,370, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $473 - $1,263.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chesapeake, VA, to Columbus, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,110 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Chesapeake, VA to Columbus, OH
There are 3 main ways to move from Chesapeake to Columbus: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,110 - $5,163. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 581-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 581-mile route from Chesapeake to Columbus, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,290 for a studio up to $7,858 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,047 - $3,370 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $473 - $1,263, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $962 - $2,748, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Chesapeake, VA to Columbus, OH
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 581-mile move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Columbus, Ohio, with costs ranging from $1,290 - $7,858. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $296 - $1,976. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chesapeake and Columbus. Local movers in Chesapeake typically start around $290 as a base rate plus $125/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chesapeake to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,290 - $4,101
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,110 - $5,163
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,919 - $7,858
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 Chesapeake to Columbus.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia 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 Chesapeake, VA to Columbus, OH
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Chesapeake 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 packing100% of local movers | $494 - $4,940 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $198 - $1,186/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $296 - $2,371 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage43% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $988 - $2,964 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,470 - $9,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $740 - $1,406 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items48% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $988 - $2,470 |
| Piano | Any piano type81% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $790 - $3,458 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers | $296 - $1,482 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect24% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Apple Moving | $642 - $1,976 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $296 - $14,820+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $296 - $3,458+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chesapeake 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Chesapeake, VA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Chesapeake, VA to Columbus, OH
Moving containers from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Columbus, Ohio, cost between $1,047 and $3,370. 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 Chesapeake adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chesapeake to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,047 - $1,906
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,265 - $2,635
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,845 - $3,370
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $74 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $148 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Columbus, 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 $692 in Chesapeake, VA. 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 Virginia 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 $1,047. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,265 - $2,635, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 9 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
- Tidal Town Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake, VA to Columbus, OH
Truck rentals from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Columbus, Ohio, range from $473 - $1,263 for the 581-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $183 - $209
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Chesapeake daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Chesapeake to Columbus based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $473 - $881
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $499 - $1,046
- 4+ bedrooms: $617 - $1,263
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $473 - $1,263 when pricing out a rental truck from Chesapeake to Columbus. Fuel alone runs ($183 - $209) , and overnight lodging ($148/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $148 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $64 and $321 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $183 - $209 in fuel for the 581-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $692 in Chesapeake, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake, VA to Columbus, OH
For larger DIY moves from Chesapeake, Virginia, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Columbus, Ohio.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,011 and $1,985.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chesapeake to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $962 - $1,598
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,011 - $1,985
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,420 - $2,748
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 Chesapeake, Virginia, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $692.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $74 - $148 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 Chesapeake to Columbus?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
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: Chesapeake, VA vs Columbus, OH
Chesapeake and Columbus land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 104 in Chesapeake and 91 in Columbus, and rent tracks closely too ($1,800/mo vs. $1,441/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (21 vs 41) and safety scores (70.88 vs 50.35) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbus, OH to Chesapeake, VA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Ohio over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 104 movers in our Virginia network to compare for this 581-mile move.
Our take
The 581-mile move from Chesapeake, VA, to Columbus, OH, costs between $1,290 and $7,858 with full-service movers, $1,047 - $3,370 with a moving container, and $473 - $1,263 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 $2,110 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 Chesapeake, VA, 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 3 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 Chesapeake, VA to Columbus, OH?
Costs on this route range from around $1,290 to $7,858, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,290 and $7,858, 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 Chesapeake, VA 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 $499 - $1,046. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($183 - $209), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $148/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Chesapeake, VA to Columbus, 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 percentage of Chesapeake movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 81% of movers in Chesapeake handle piano moves, and 48% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.