($489+) 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 $7,122 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $1,391, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,122 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,000 - $3,205, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $489 - $1,262.
- 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 $2,075 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. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,075 - $4,838 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 36% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 75% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 646 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
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:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,391 - $3,818 with full-service movers, $1,000 - $1,843 with a container, $489 - $880 with a rental truck, or $908 - $1,578 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,075 - $4,838 full-service, $1,322 - $2,452 by container, $512 - $1,096 by rental truck, or $1,007 - $2,001 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,736 - $7,122 full-service, $1,612 - $3,205 by container, $608 - $1,262 by rental truck, or $1,371 - $2,487 by freight.
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 Richmond, VA to Portland, ME
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 646-mile move from Richmond, Virginia, to Portland, Maine, with costs ranging from $1,391 - $7,122. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $305 - $2,036. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Richmond and Portland. Local movers in Richmond typically start around $360 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Richmond to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,391 - $3,818
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,075 - $4,838
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,736 - $7,122
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.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Richmond, VA to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market: 65% of Richmond 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 | $509 - $5,090 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready65% of local movers60% 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 coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% 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 items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,018 - $2,545 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $814 - $3,563 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $305 - $1,527 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect6% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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?
Maine Motor Transport Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Maine, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
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 $1,000 and $3,205. 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 Richmond runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Richmond to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,000 - $1,843
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,322 - $2,452
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,612 - $3,205
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Richmond, VA and Portland, ME. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $713 in Richmond, VA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $76 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $153 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
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 $1,000. 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 $1,322 - $2,452.
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
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Richmond, VA to Portland, ME
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 646 miles from Richmond, Virginia, to Portland, Maine, running $489 - $1,262. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- 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 - $880
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $512 - $1,096
- 4+ bedrooms: $608 - $1,262
Pro tip: A rental truck from Richmond to Portland looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $489 - $1,262. But once you factor in fuel ($209 - $239), overnight lodging ($153/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $209 - $239 for the 646-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Richmond, Virginia, for about 5 hours typically costs around $713.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 646-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $153 per night, adding $305 - $458 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $51 and $305.
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
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Richmond, Virginia, 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 $1,007 and $2,001.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Richmond to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $908 - $1,578
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,007 - $2,001
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,371 - $2,487
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $76 and $153.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Richmond, Virginia, for roughly five hours typically average $713.
What are the best freight companies from Richmond 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Portland fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
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 304 movers in our Virginia network to compare for this 646-mile move.
Our take
The 646-mile move from Richmond, VA, to Portland, ME, costs between $1,391 and $7,122 with full-service movers, $1,000 - $3,205 with a moving container, and $489 - $1,262 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,075 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
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
What is the cheapest way to move from Richmond, VA 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 $512 - $1,096. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($209 - $239), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $153/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Richmond, VA to Portland, ME take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 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 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.
What percentage of Richmond movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Richmond handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.