Columbus, OH → Cincinnati, OH · Short-haul move

Movers from Columbus to Cincinnati

About 118 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,900–$2,830, delivery in 1–2 days, 854 carriers on the Columbus side and 558 in Cincinnati.

118 miroad distance
2 h 44 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$1,900–$2,8302-bedroom estimate

Photo: EEJCC · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Columbus, Ohio
To: Cincinnati, Ohio
Road distance: ≈ 118 miles (100 straight-line)
Drive time: 2 h 44 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: In-state (Ohio)
Movers at origin: 854 (547 interstate)
Movers at destination: 558 (420 interstate)

Reverse: Cincinnati → Columbus

The route from Columbus, OH to Cincinnati, OH covers roughly 118 miles by road, a southwest-bound trip that falls into the short-haul move category for pricing purposes.

Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 2 h 44 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,900 and $2,830, before packing or storage.

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 558 around Cincinnati (420 interstate). For an in-state 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 Cincinnati.

Columbus has a population of about 938,396 and Cincinnati about 314,367. The two cities have comparable density (4,117 and 3,976 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from Columbus to Cincinnati

Full-service estimate for 118 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,170	$1,430	$1,740
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,170	$1,430	$1,740
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$1,900	$2,320	$2,830
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,050	$3,720	$4,530
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$4,190	$5,110	$6,230

Rental truck (DIY)

$270–$380

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

Portable container

$1,130–$1,650

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

Full-service mover

$1,900–$2,830

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Columbus, OH → Cincinnati, OH. 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 Cincinnati (destination)

Kfn

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Kroger Fulfillment Network LLC

USDOT: 81583
MC: 317346
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45202 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2,152 trucks, 2,170 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (513) 762-4000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kroger Brokerage Services

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Kroger Dedicated Logistics Company

USDOT: 624483
MC: 298044
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45202 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 455 trucks, 601 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (513) 530-7339 Route Verify on FMCSA

Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3310065
MC: 1124535
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45202 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 425 trucks, 827 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (513) 460-9996 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bogg Express LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3195710
MC: 149749
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45212 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 321 trucks, 321 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (513) 916-3232 Route Verify on FMCSA

Total Package Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 540855
MC: 217127
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45247 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 116 trucks, 116 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (513) 741-5500 Route Verify on FMCSA

Obarker Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3588162
MC: 1214403
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45249 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 115 trucks, 115 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (646) 540-3983 Route Verify on FMCSA

Moon Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2800379
MC: 935386
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45241 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 111 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (513) 918-0810 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mco Express Orlando INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2456323
MC: 848294
Based in: Springdale, OH 45246 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 100 trucks, 140 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (407) 420-6900 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 558 movers in Cincinnati

Tips for this move

For a move under about 150 miles you can often choose between an hourly and a flat rate—ask for both.
Confirm whether travel time between Columbus and Cincinnati is billed one way or round trip.
A single-day move is realistic here; schedule loading in the morning so the crew arrives in Cincinnati with daylight to spare.
Check Ohio intrastate mover rules; many states require a state permit in addition to a USDOT number.

Near Columbus

Near Cincinnati

Related routes

Other destinations from Columbus

Other origins to Cincinnati

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,170 to $1,740 for a studio, $1,170 to $1,740 for a one-bedroom, $1,900 to $2,830 for a two-bedroom, $3,050 to $4,530 for a three-bedroom and $4,190 to $6,230 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Cincinnati from Columbus?

About 118 road miles (100 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 44 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 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.

Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for an in-state move?

No. Because both Columbus and Cincinnati are in Ohio, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.

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

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $270 to $380 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,130 to $1,650. 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–Cincinnati corridor.