Dayton, OH → Columbus, OH · Short-haul move
About 78 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,310–$1,960, delivery in 1–2 days, 349 carriers on the Dayton side and 854 in Columbus.
Moving from Dayton to Columbus is a short-haul move of roughly 78 road miles, heading east within Ohio.
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 Dayton side there are 349 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (240 of them authorized for interstate work), and 854 around Columbus (547 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 Columbus.
Dayton has a population of about 136,688 and Columbus about 938,396. Columbus is the denser city (4,117 people per square mile versus 2,467 in Dayton), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.
| 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 |
$230–$320
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,090–$1,600
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,310–$1,960
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Dayton, OH → Columbus, OH. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Dayton Freight Lines INC
Legal name: Faf LLC
Legal name: J Boren & Son'S Trucking INC
Legal name: Ag Container Transport LLC
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.
About 78 road miles (66 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 3 min.
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.
No. Because both Dayton and Columbus 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.
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.
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 Dayton–Columbus corridor.