Columbus, OH → Chicago, IL · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Columbus to Chicago

About 327 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,760–$4,100, delivery in 1–3 days, 854 carriers on the Columbus side and 2,923 in Chicago.

327 miroad distance
6 h 20 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,760–$4,1002-bedroom estimate

Photo: File:Chicago River ferry.jpg: John Picken derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Columbus, Ohio
To: Chicago, Illinois
Road distance: ≈ 327 miles (277 straight-line)
Drive time: 6 h 20 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 854 (547 interstate)
Movers at destination: 2,923 (2,209 interstate)

Reverse: Chicago → Columbus

Moving from Columbus to Chicago is a regional long-distance move of roughly 327 road miles, heading northwest from Ohio to Illinois.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $2,760 to $4,100 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 6 h 20 min.

On the Columbus side there are 854 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (547 of them authorized for interstate work), and 2,923 around Chicago (2,209 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Chicago.

Columbus has a population of about 938,396 and Chicago about 2.7 million. Chicago is the denser city (12,061 people per square mile versus 4,117 in Columbus), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Illinois is a higher-cost state than Ohio, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.

Cost of moving from Columbus to Chicago

Full-service estimate for 327 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,230	$1,500	$1,830
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,650	$2,020	$2,460
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,760	$3,360	$4,100
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,410	$5,380	$6,570
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$6,070	$7,400	$9,030

Rental truck (DIY)

$490–$690

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,310–$1,930

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$2,760–$4,100

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Columbus, OH → Chicago, IL. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Columbus (origin)

Faf

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Faf LLC

USDOT: 728630
MC: 333604
Based in: Groveport, OH 43125 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 1,729 trucks, 1,917 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (614) 497-5000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Stg Cartage LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 50242
MC: 97977
Based in: Dublin, OH 43017 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 425 trucks, 425 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (614) 923-1400 Route Verify on FMCSA

Gray Cargo LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3589205
MC: 1215090
Based in: Columbus, OH 43230 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 284 trucks, 290 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (614) 200-5714 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jbs Trucking J Boren & Sons Trucking Lyle Gamradt

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: J Boren & Son'S Trucking INC

USDOT: 444507
MC: 245894
Based in: Columbus, OH 43228 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 161 trucks, 170 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (877) 918-0663 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jrd Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2514289
MC: 873159
Based in: New Albany, OH 43054 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 152 trucks, 192 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (614) 534-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Excel Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2258095
MC: 770605
Based in: Grove City, OH 43123 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 141 trucks, 191 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (614) 826-1988 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pappas Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Ag Container Transport LLC

USDOT: 2080664
MC: 726431
Based in: Lockbourne, OH 43137 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 130 trucks, 84 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (614) 215-9558 Route Verify on FMCSA

Milexpress

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4555229
MC: 1809717
Based in: Columbus, OH 43215 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 85 trucks, 1,000 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (517) 291-0544 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 854 movers in Columbus

Near Chicago (destination)

Nova Lines INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2559423
MC: 892806
Based in: Bridgeview, IL 60455 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1,298 trucks, 1,298 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (847) 881-0432 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hmd Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 976560
MC: 415186
Based in: Chicago Ridge, IL 60415 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 409 trucks, 375 drivers
USDOT registered: 2001

Call (708) 398-6237 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cdn Logistics INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 781203
MC: 332177
Based in: Northlake, IL 60164 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 310 trucks, 260 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (708) 344-5555 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hub Group

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Hub Group Dedicated LLC

USDOT: 801828
MC: 357193
Based in: Oak Brook, IL 60523 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2,505 trucks, 3,194 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (630) 271-3600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Fx

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Freight Exchange Of North America LLC

USDOT: 1194542
MC: 471387
Based in: Franklin Park, IL 60131 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 218 trucks, 219 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (312) 612-2200 Route Verify on FMCSA

New World Van Lines INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 258748
MC: 162485
Based in: Chicago, IL 60646 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 204 trucks, 189 drivers
USDOT registered: 1985

Call (773) 509-5937 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liv Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2196716
MC: 762386
Based in: Bridgeview, IL 60455 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 201 trucks, 201 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (708) 401-7441 Route Verify on FMCSA

Celtic Cartage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1197429
MC: 476351
Based in: Palos Hills, IL 60465 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 185 trucks, 185 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (708) 974-1405 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 2,923 movers in Chicago

Related routes

Other destinations from Columbus

Other origins to Chicago

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Columbus to Chicago?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,230 to $1,830 for a studio, $1,650 to $2,460 for a one-bedroom, $2,760 to $4,100 for a two-bedroom, $4,410 to $6,570 for a three-bedroom and $6,070 to $9,030 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Chicago from Columbus?

About 327 road miles (277 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 6 h 20 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Ohio into Illinois makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Columbus to Chicago?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $490 to $690 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,310 to $1,930. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Columbus–Chicago corridor.