($474+) Richmond, VA to Portland, ME Movers
Moving from Richmond, VA, to Portland, ME, runs anywhere from $489 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,174 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 646 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,474, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,174 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,092 - $3,229, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $489 - $1,325.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Richmond, VA, to Portland, ME. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,029 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 Richmond, VA to Portland, ME
Moving options from Richmond to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,029 - $5,615 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 646-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 646-mile route from Richmond to Portland, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,474 for a studio up to $8,174 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,092 - $3,229 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $489 - $1,325, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $982 - $2,664, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Richmond, VA to Portland, ME
Hiring full-service movers from Richmond, Virginia, to Portland, Maine, costs between $1,474 and $8,174. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 646-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $305 - $2,036, 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 Richmond and Portland. For a rough baseline, movers based in Richmond tend to start around $360 plus $100/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 Richmond to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,474 - $3,847
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,029 - $5,615
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,697 - $8,174
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 Richmond to Portland.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Maine. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Richmond, VA to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Richmond movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Portland, 78% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing95% of local movers | $509 - $5,090 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $204 - $1,222/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $305 - $2,443 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage32% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs89% of local movers | $1,018 - $3,054 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,545 - $10,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $762 - $1,449 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items63% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,018 - $2,545 |
| Piano | Any piano type68% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $814 - $3,563 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers | $305 - $1,527 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect32% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: WayForth LLC | $662 - $2,036 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $305 - $15,270+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $305 - $3,563+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Richmond 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Richmond, VA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Richmond, VA to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Richmond, Virginia, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,092 and $3,229. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Richmond typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Richmond to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,092 - $1,840
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,334 - $2,678
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,890 - $3,229
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 $713 in Richmond, VA. 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 $76 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $153 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 Virginia 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 $1,092. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,334 - $2,678, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Richmond:
- Mr. Moving, LLC (4.6/5), 6 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- Heroes Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 5 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Richmond, VA to Portland, ME
Renting a moving truck for the 646-mile move from Richmond, Virginia, to Portland, Maine, costs between $489 and $1,325, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $209 - $239
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Richmond daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Richmond to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $489 - $923
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $511 - $1,063
- 4+ bedrooms: $665 - $1,325
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Richmond to Portland starts at $489 - $1,325, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($209 - $239) , overnight lodging ($153/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $153 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $66 and $331 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $209 - $239 in fuel for the 646-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $713 in Richmond, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Richmond 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 Richmond, VA to Portland, ME
For larger DIY moves from Richmond, Virginia, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Portland, Maine.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,056 and $2,059.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Richmond to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $982 - $1,724
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,056 - $2,059
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,411 - $2,664
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Richmond, Virginia, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $713.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $76 - $153 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Richmond to Portland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Abilene Motor Express (4.5/5 stars): Abilene Motor Express is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Portland quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Richmond, VA vs Portland, ME
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Portland, side by side with Richmond on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Richmond, VA | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 95 | 112 |
| Average rent | $1,595/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $327,959 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $62,671/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 51/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 51.55/100 | 67.84/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Portland, ME to Richmond, VA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Maine over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 104 movers in our Virginia network to compare for this 646-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 646-mile route from Richmond, VA, to Portland, ME, run $1,474 - $8,174 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,092 - $3,229, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $489 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,029, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include TD Banknorth Inc and Maine Medical Center.
FAQs: Moving from Richmond, VA, to Portland, ME
How long does a move from Richmond, VA to Portland, ME take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 is the best time of year to move from Richmond, VA to Portland, ME?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Richmond, VA to Portland, ME?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
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 51.55 and 48.45 in Richmond. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Portland?
Portland has a walkability score of 62 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 68, compared to 51 and 51 in Richmond. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Richmond movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 68% of movers in Richmond handle piano moves, and 63% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
