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

Movers from Columbus to Dayton

About 78 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,310–$1,960, delivery in 1–2 days, 854 carriers on the Columbus side and 349 in Dayton.

78 miroad distance
2 h 3 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$1,310–$1,9602-bedroom estimate

Photo: Blervis · CC BY 4.0

Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

From: Columbus, Ohio
To: Dayton, Ohio
Road distance: ≈ 78 miles (66 straight-line)
Drive time: 2 h 3 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: In-state (Ohio)
Movers at origin: 854 (547 interstate)
Movers at destination: 349 (240 interstate)

Reverse: Dayton → Columbus

Dayton sits about 78 miles west of Columbus, so this is an in-state move that most movers classify as a short-haul move.

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 3 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,310 and $1,960, 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 349 around Dayton (240 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 Dayton.

Columbus has a population of about 938,396 and Dayton about 136,688. Columbus is considerably denser (4,117 people per square mile versus 2,467), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.

Cost of moving from Columbus to Dayton

Full-service estimate for 78 miles, by home size
Home size	Crew	Hours	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2 movers	3–5 h	$740	$910	$1,100
1 Bedroom	2 movers	4–6 h	$840	$1,030	$1,260
2 Bedrooms	3 movers	5–8 h	$1,310	$1,600	$1,960
3 Bedrooms	4 movers	7–10 h	$1,980	$2,410	$2,940
4+ Bedrooms	5 movers	9–13 h	$2,880	$3,510	$4,290

Rental truck (DIY)

$230–$320

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

Portable container

$1,090–$1,600

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

Full-service mover

$1,310–$1,960

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

Moving cost calculator

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

—to—

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 Dayton (destination)

Dayton Freight

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Dayton Freight Lines INC

USDOT: 273301
MC: 189528
Based in: Dayton, OH 45414 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2,278 trucks, 2,650 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (937) 264-4060 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lund'S Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3907195
MC: 1441220
Based in: Dayton, OH 45404 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 140 trucks, 140 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (740) 879-7707 Route Verify on FMCSA

Delo Trans INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3782379
MC: 1354479
Based in: Dayton, OH 45403 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 89 trucks, 89 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (513) 694-0602 Route Verify on FMCSA

The Expediting Co INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 389839
MC: 219871
Based in: Vandalia, OH 45377 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 86 trucks, 108 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (937) 890-1524 Route Verify on FMCSA

Eagle Truckline LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2586880
MC: 906741
Based in: Beavercreek, OH 45434 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 55 trucks, 51 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (856) 652-4777 Route Verify on FMCSA

Williams Last Mile Home Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3300780
MC: 1046882
Based in: Vandalia, OH 45377 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 38 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (937) 313-9096 Route Verify on FMCSA

Affordablemovers Biz LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3417348
MC: 1103694
Based in: Dayton, OH 45414 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 37 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (513) 540-2488 Route Verify on FMCSA

Gear Up Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4252976
MC: 1648837
Based in: Beavercreek, OH 45431 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 35 trucks, 35 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (860) 637-9870 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 349 movers in Dayton

Related routes

Other destinations from Columbus

Other origins to Dayton

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $740 to $1,100 for a studio, $840 to $1,260 for a one-bedroom, $1,310 to $1,960 for a two-bedroom, $1,980 to $2,940 for a three-bedroom and $2,880 to $4,290 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Dayton from Columbus?

About 78 road miles (66 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 3 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

For a move this short, loading and delivery normally happen on the same day. Most crews finish a two-bedroom home in 5 to 8 hours plus the drive.

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

No. Because both Columbus and Dayton 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 Dayton?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $230 to $320 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,090 to $1,600. 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–Dayton corridor.