($555+) Durham, NC to Portland, ME Movers
Moving from Durham, NC, to Portland, ME, runs anywhere from $555 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,137 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 795 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,603, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,137 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,075 - $3,507, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $555 - $1,534.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to Portland, ME. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,169 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Durham, NC to Portland, ME
Moving options from Durham to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,169 - $5,574 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 39% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 74% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 795 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 795-mile route from Durham to Portland, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,603 for a studio up to $7,137 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,075 - $3,507 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $555 - $1,534, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $949 - $2,750, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Durham, NC to Portland, ME
Hiring full-service movers from Durham, North Carolina, to Portland, Maine, costs between $1,603 and $7,137. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 795-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $313 - $2,084, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Durham and Portland. For a rough baseline, movers based in Durham tend to start around $240 plus $122/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,603 - $4,030
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,169 - $5,574
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,747 - $7,137
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Durham to Portland.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Durham, NC to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Durham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Portland, 50% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $521 - $5,210 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $208 - $1,250/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $313 - $2,501 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $1,042 - $3,126 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,605 - $10,420 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $780 - $1,483 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $1,042 - $2,605 |
| Piano | Any piano type51% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $834 - $3,647 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $313 - $1,563 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $677 - $2,084 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $313 - $15,630+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $313 - $3,647+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Durham to Portland?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Maine Motor Transport Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Durham, NC. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Durham, NC to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,075 and $3,507. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Durham runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Durham to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,075 - $1,959
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,327 - $2,557
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,781 - $3,507
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $729 in Durham, NC. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $78 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $156 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Portland, ME, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina to Maine move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,075. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,327 - $2,557.
What are the best moving containers Durham to Portland?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Durham to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Durham:
- Athens Moving Experts (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 28 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.1/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Durham, NC to Portland, ME
A rental truck for this 795-mile move from Durham, North Carolina, to Portland, Maine, costs between $555 and $1,534. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $264 - $301
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Durham daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.89
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Durham to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $555 - $1,045
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $564 - $1,240
- 4+ bedrooms: $765 - $1,534
Pro tip: The base rate of $555 - $1,534 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Durham to Portland. Fuel ($264 - $301), lodging at around $156/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $78 and $365.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $156.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $264 and $301 for the 795-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $729 for 2 movers in Durham, North Carolina, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Durham to Portland?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Durham, NC to Portland, ME
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Durham, North Carolina, to Portland, Maine, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,073 and $2,067.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $949 - $1,642
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,073 - $2,067
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,511 - $2,750
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Durham, North Carolina, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $729.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $78 and $156 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Durham to Portland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Durham to Portland, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Durham, NC vs Portland, ME
Good news for your budget: Portland isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Durham. Cost of living index runs 112 there against 99 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 30/100 and 45.28/100 here versus 62/100 and 67.84/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Portland, ME to Durham, NC guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Maine, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. North Carolina alone has 313 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 795-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Durham, NC, to Portland, ME, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,603 - $7,137 on the 795-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,075 - $3,507, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $555 - $1,534. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,169 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include TD Banknorth Inc and Maine Medical Center.
FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to Portland, ME
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Portland a safe place to live?
Portland has a safety index of 67.84 out of 100 and a crime index of 32.16, compared to 45.28 and 54.72 in Durham. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Durham, NC to Portland, ME?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $564 - $1,240. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Portland?
For families, Deering Center, East End, and Rosemont are worth a look in Portland. If you're moving solo or without kids, East End, West End, and West Bayside tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Durham, NC to Portland, ME take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What percentage of Durham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 51% of movers in Durham handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.