Columbus, OH → Lakeland, FL · Long-distance move

Movers from Columbus to Lakeland

About 975 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,490–$6,680, delivery in 2–5 days, 854 carriers on the Columbus side and 509 in Lakeland.

975 miroad distance
17 h 31 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$4,490–$6,6802-bedroom estimate

Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0

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Route summary

From: Columbus, Ohio
To: Lakeland, Florida
Road distance: ≈ 975 miles (826 straight-line)
Drive time: 17 h 31 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 854 (547 interstate)
Movers at destination: 509 (177 interstate)

Reverse: Lakeland → Columbus

Lakeland sits about 975 miles south of Columbus, which makes this an interstate relocation from Ohio to Florida that most movers classify as a long-distance move.

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 $4,490 to $6,680 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 17 h 31 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 509 around Lakeland (177 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 Lakeland.

Columbus has a population of about 938,396 and Lakeland about 125,520. Columbus is considerably denser (4,117 people per square mile versus 1,702), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Florida levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.

Cost of moving from Columbus to Lakeland

Full-service estimate for 975 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,800	$2,190	$2,670
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,700	$3,290	$4,010
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$4,490	$5,480	$6,680
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$7,190	$8,770	$10,690
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$9,880	$12,050	$14,700

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,450–$2,050

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

Portable container

$1,890–$2,780

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

Full-service mover

$4,490–$6,680

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

Moving cost calculator

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

Publix

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Publix Super Markets INC

USDOT: 439262
MC: 1576808
Based in: Lakeland, FL 33815 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 945 trucks, 1,720 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (863) 688-1188 Route Verify on FMCSA

Saddle Creek Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1196553
MC: 470192
Based in: Lakeland, FL 33801 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 409 trucks, 535 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (863) 241-3533 Route Verify on FMCSA

Southeast Independent Delivery Services

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Se Independent Delivery Services INC

USDOT: 842212
MC: 370980
Based in: Lakeland, FL 33811 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 748 trucks, 950 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (863) 616-6060 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mega Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2582238
MC: 904298
Based in: Auburndale, FL 33823 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 550 trucks, 275 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (786) 345-7841 Route Verify on FMCSA

C & S Wholesale Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1338655
MC: 525824
Based in: Plant City, FL 33566 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 388 trucks, 401 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (904) 545-7825 Route Verify on FMCSA

Phoenix Logistics & Cold Storage LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3348075
MC: 1069873
Based in: Lakeland, FL 33801 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 257 trucks, 243 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (305) 691-3535 Route Verify on FMCSA

Exxact Transport

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Exxact Transport INC

USDOT: 612401
MC: 277158
Based in: Lakeland, FL 33801 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 91 trucks, 96 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (863) 682-4101 Route Verify on FMCSA

Star Transportation Company

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 549928
MC: 153627
Based in: Plant City, FL 33563 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 74 trucks, 85 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (813) 659-1002 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 509 movers in Lakeland

Related routes

Other destinations from Columbus

Other origins to Lakeland

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,800 to $2,670 for a studio, $2,700 to $4,010 for a one-bedroom, $4,490 to $6,680 for a two-bedroom, $7,190 to $10,690 for a three-bedroom and $9,880 to $14,700 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Lakeland from Columbus?

About 975 road miles (826 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 17 h 31 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 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 Florida 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 Lakeland?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,450 to $2,050 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,890 to $2,780. 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–Lakeland corridor.