($821+) St. Louis, MO to Portland, ME Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Portland, ME, runs anywhere from $821 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,171 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,290 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 to 8 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 $2,144, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,171 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,229 - $4,497, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $821 - $2,185.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Portland, ME. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,651 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 St. Louis, MO to Portland, ME
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Louis to Portland: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,651 - $6,348. Containers cost roughly 41% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 67% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,290 miles, expect 3 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,290-mile route from St. Louis to Portland, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,144 - $4,721 | $1,229 - $2,311 | $821 - $1,581 | $1,197 - $2,228 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,651 - $6,348 | $1,553 - $3,223 | $887 - $1,792 | $1,268 - $2,763 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,786 - $8,171 | $2,304 - $4,497 | $1,040 - $2,185 | $1,737 - $3,493 |
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 St. Louis, MO to Portland, ME
Hiring full-service movers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Portland, Maine, costs between $2,144 and $8,171. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,290-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $286 - $1,904, 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 St. Louis and Portland. For a rough baseline, movers based in St. Louis tend to start around $247 plus $145/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 St. Louis to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,144 - $4,721
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,651 - $6,348
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,786 - $8,171
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 St. Louis to Portland.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from St. Louis, MO to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market: 68% of St. Louis 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 packing71% of local movers | $476 - $4,760 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready68% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $190 - $1,142/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $286 - $2,285 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $952 - $2,856 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,380 - $9,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $713 - $1,355 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: McGuire Moving and Storage | $952 - $2,380 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $762 - $3,332 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $286 - $1,428 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $619 - $1,904 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $286 - $14,280+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $286 - $3,332+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in St. Louis, MO. 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 St. Louis, MO to Portland, ME
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,229 and $4,497. 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 St. Louis runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,229 - $2,311
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,553 - $3,223
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,304 - $4,497
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $71 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $143 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Portland, ME, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $666 in St. Louis, MO. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri 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 $1,229. 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 $1,553 - $3,223.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis:
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Portland, ME
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,290 miles from St. Louis, Missouri, to Portland, Maine, running $821 - $2,185. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $391 - $447
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 St. Louis to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $821 - $1,581
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $887 - $1,792
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,040 - $2,185
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from St. Louis to Portland starts at $821 - $2,185, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($391 - $447), overnight lodging ($143/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $143 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 $62 and $309 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $391 - $447 in fuel for the 1,290-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $666 in St. Louis, Missouri, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO to Portland, ME
If you're moving a larger household from St. Louis, Missouri, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Portland, Maine.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,268 and $2,763.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,197 - $2,228
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,268 - $2,763
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,737 - $3,493
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In St. Louis, Missouri, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $666.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $71 - $143 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 St. Louis 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.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Louis, MO | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 84 | 112 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $180,206 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $55,279/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.8% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 66/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 30.35/100 | 67.84/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 St. Louis, MO guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Missouri to Maine in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 138 movers based in Missouri, handy for sizing up options on this 1,290-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,290-mile route from St. Louis, MO, to Portland, ME, run $2,144 - $8,171 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,229 - $4,497, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $821 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,651, 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 St. Louis, MO, to Portland, ME
How long does a move from St. Louis, MO to Portland, ME take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 3 to 8 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($391 - $447), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $143/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Louis, MO 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 $887 - $1,792. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Portland, ME?
Costs on this route range from around $821 to $8,171, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,144 and $8,171, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
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.
What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.