Columbus, OH → Traverse City, MI · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Columbus to Traverse City

About 420 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,970–$4,420, delivery in 1–3 days, 854 carriers on the Columbus side and 53 in Traverse City.

420 miroad distance
7 h 57 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,970–$4,4202-bedroom estimate

Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Columbus, Ohio
To: Traverse City, Michigan
Road distance: ≈ 420 miles (356 straight-line)
Drive time: 7 h 57 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 854 (547 interstate)
Movers at destination: 53 (19 interstate)

Reverse: Traverse City → Columbus

Moving from Columbus to Traverse City is a regional long-distance move of roughly 420 road miles, heading north from Ohio to Michigan.

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 $2,970 to $4,420 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 7 h 57 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 53 around Traverse City (19 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 Traverse City.

Columbus has a population of about 938,396 and Traverse City about 16,000. Columbus is considerably denser (4,117 people per square mile versus 1,894), 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 Traverse City

Full-service estimate for 420 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,190	$1,450	$1,770
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,780	$2,170	$2,650
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,970	$3,620	$4,420
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,750	$5,800	$7,070
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$6,530	$7,970	$9,720

Rental truck (DIY)

$580–$820

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

Portable container

$1,390–$2,050

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

Full-service mover

$2,970–$4,420

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Columbus, OH → Traverse City, MI. 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 Traverse City (destination)

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Nordic Movers INC

USDOT: 1469296
MC: 554951
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (231) 947-8880 Route Verify on FMCSA

Denoyer Brothers Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 381828
MC: 134935
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (231) 946-4550 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cj Schueller LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 886575
MC: 1652579
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (231) 313-6085 Route Verify on FMCSA

Reliance Transport INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2414628
MC: 831188
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (231) 403-9030 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bayside Moving & Storage

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Able Forwarders INC

USDOT: 882204
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (231) 946-4593 Route Verify on FMCSA

Alfarhan Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4172233
MC: 1604996
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (313) 398-8488 Route Verify on FMCSA

Grey Kitty Labs LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4312292
MC: 1681000
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (425) 698-8595 Route Verify on FMCSA

Willow Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4051865
MC: 1535580
Based in: Interlochen, MI 49643 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (231) 632-7020 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 53 movers in Traverse City

Tips for this move

Get three written estimates; at this distance quotes can vary by a third for the same inventory.
Ask whether the carrier will use one truck end to end or transfer your goods at a terminal.
Weigh the cost of full-value protection against the released-value default of 60 cents per pound.
Book four to six weeks out for summer dates on the Columbus–Traverse City corridor.

Near Columbus

Near Traverse City

Related routes

Other destinations from Columbus

Other origins to Traverse City

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Columbus to Traverse City?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,190 to $1,770 for a studio, $1,780 to $2,650 for a one-bedroom, $2,970 to $4,420 for a two-bedroom, $4,750 to $7,070 for a three-bedroom and $6,530 to $9,720 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Traverse City from Columbus?

About 420 road miles (356 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 7 h 57 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 Michigan 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 Traverse City?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $580 to $820 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,390 to $2,050. 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–Traverse City corridor.