Ohio sits at the intersection of four major interstate corridors — I-70 (east-west), I-71 (Columbus to Cleveland to Cincinnati), I-75 (Dayton to Toledo), and I-90 (Cleveland along Lake Erie) — making it one of the most heavily trafficked states for both in-state hauls and pass-through interstate moves in the Midwest. Despite years of being ranked among the top outbound states by commercial carriers, the most recent Census data shows Ohio gained 59,916 net residents between 2023 and 2024, a figure driven almost entirely by international migration. Domestic migration remains slightly negative: Ohio residents continue to leave for Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas, while Franklin County (Columbus) and Delaware County recorded the state’s largest net gains. Columbus has become one of the fastest-growing Midwestern metros, concentrating move demand in central Ohio even as legacy cities like Cleveland and Toledo see more modest activity.
Ohio’s housing stock ranges from older urban cores with narrow stairwells and alley-access garages (Cleveland, Cincinnati) to large new-construction homes in sprawling Columbus suburbs. Peak season runs late May through August, driven by university turnover at Ohio State, Case Western, and Miami University; summer weekends fill fastest and September through October offers more scheduling flexibility.
Intrastate movers operating in Ohio are required to hold a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and a USDOT number from the FMCSA. Ohio law mandates that PUCO-registered movers provide written estimates, respond to damage or loss claims within 15 days, and resolve them within 30 days. Consumers can verify a mover’s PUCO certificate at puco.ohio.gov or by calling (800) 686-PUCO. Interstate moves fall under FMCSA jurisdiction.
Top-Rated Movers in Ohio
Leaders Moving & Storage Co.
Address: 7455 Alta View Blvd, Columbus, OH 43085
Website: https://leadersmoving.com
USDOT: #1237577
PUCO: #136562-HG
Founded in Columbus in 1994, Leaders Moving & Storage Co. has completed over 175,000 moves and expanded to four locations in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. Ohio services span residential, apartment, and commercial moving, full and partial packing, office and B2B relocations, climate-controlled storage, junk removal, and a box buyback program. The company’s “guaranteed flat-rate pricing” model — based on detailed inventory review rather than hourly estimates — is a differentiator for customers wary of open-ended final bills. No upfront deposit is required for local moves, and leaders holds an A+ BBB rating. For customers in Columbus needing to move to or within the Cleveland or Cincinnati metro, Leaders’ multi-city Ohio footprint provides continuity of service.
MVM Moving & Storage
Address: 3979 Pkwy Ln, Hilliard, OH 43026
Website: https://mvmmoving.com
USDOT: #1444491
PUCO: #156647-HG
Founded in 2005 in Toledo as Maumee Valley Movers, MVM Moving & Storage now operates from Columbus, Toledo, and Fremont, Ohio, plus Fort Wayne, Indiana and Monroe, Michigan, with a fleet of over 30 trucks and a 20,000 square foot warehouse. Columbus area services include local and long-distance residential and commercial moving, packing and unpacking, piano and gun safe moving, senior facility moves, labor-only, and short-term storage. MVM offers both binding and non-binding estimate options, uses GPS-tracked trucks, and accepts discounts for first responders and military personnel. Out of 257 reviewed customer experiences, 96.9% rated the company positively, with consistent praise for on-time arrivals and careful handling. The company is A+ rated by the BBB and an Angi Super Service Award winner.
Herlihy Moving & Storage
Address: 3759 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH 43123
Website: https://herlihymoving.com
USDOT: #183389
PUCO: #1156-HG
One of Ohio’s oldest moving companies, Herlihy has operated since 1920 and has served as an authorized Mayflower Transit agent since 1933. Operating from three locations — Grove City (Columbus area), Chillicothe, and Athens — the company covers central and southern Ohio as well as portions of Kentucky and West Virginia. Services include local, long-distance, and international moves, full-service packing, office and corporate relocation, senior moving, Mayflower portable storage containers, climate-controlled storage, and warehousing and logistics. Herlihy is rated the #1 moving company in the Mayflower system for its class size based on customer satisfaction surveys, holds an A+ BBB rating, and was a Columbus Dispatch CBUS Top Picks award recipient. For consumers needing Mayflower’s national van line network alongside a locally owned point of contact in central Ohio, Herlihy is among the most established options available.
Moving Companies in Ohio: Common Questions
Is my mover required to be licensed in Ohio?
Yes. Any for-hire mover transporting household goods within Ohio must hold a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and a USDOT number from the FMCSA. PUCO’s certificate number must be displayed in all advertisements and on moving vehicles. Operating without a PUCO certificate can result in fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per violation. You can verify a mover’s current PUCO certificate status at puco.ohio.gov or by calling (800) 686-PUCO. For any move crossing into another state, also verify the company’s FMCSA registration using their USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
How much does a local move typically cost in Ohio?
Based on a 2025 consumer survey, the average combined cost of moves in Ohio (local and long-distance) is approximately $2,635, about 13% below the national average. For local moves, hourly rates of $80-$100 for a two-person crew are typical in the Columbus and Cleveland markets. One major carrier quoted $180 per hour for a two-person crew and truck on weekdays in Columbus, rising to $200 on weekends. A two-bedroom move between Cleveland and Columbus runs roughly $2,015-$3,445 based on a 2025 sample quote from a national carrier. Prices vary significantly by origin city, home size, and whether packing services are included; obtain at least three written estimates before booking.
How does Ohio’s geography and university-driven market affect moving costs and timing?
Ohio’s five major metros — Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo — are connected by high-volume interstate corridors, but the distances between them are real: Columbus to Cleveland is 140 miles, Columbus to Cincinnati is 110 miles. Long-haul in-state moves trigger weight-and-distance pricing rather than hourly billing. Additionally, Ohio hosts many large universities including Ohio State, Case Western, Cleveland State, and Miami University, all of which generate significant move-in and move-out demand in August and late May. Summer weekends near these campuses are the hardest to book and most expensive to schedule; September through October offers better availability and typically lower rates.
How do I verify that a mover is legitimate and not a rogue operator in Ohio?
Look for the company’s PUCO certificate number, which Ohio law requires to be displayed in all advertisements, websites, and on moving vehicles. Verify the certificate at puco.ohio.gov or call (800) 686-PUCO. Also confirm the company’s USDOT number, which Ohio intrastate movers are required to hold, by searching the FMCSA’s database at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Red flags include movers who refuse to provide a written estimate, demand large cash deposits before the move, cannot provide a PUCO number, or quote prices significantly below all other estimates.
How do I file a complaint against a moving company in Ohio?
For intrastate moves, file a complaint through the PUCO’s online consumer complaint portal at puco.ohio.gov. Ohio regulations require movers to respond to damage or loss claims within 15 days and resolve them within 30 days; filing a PUCO complaint creates a formal record if a carrier fails to meet these obligations. Keep copies of all written estimates, the bill of lading, and any correspondence with the mover before filing. For interstate moves, complaints can also be filed with the FMCSA at fmcsa.dot.gov. Additional recourse is available through the BBB and the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section.