($733+) Chicago, IL to Portland, ME Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Portland, ME, runs anywhere from $718 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,633 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,082 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 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 $2,075, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,633 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,190 - $4,122, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $718 - $1,935.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Portland, ME. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,476 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 Chicago, IL to Portland, ME
Moving options from Chicago to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,476 - $6,197 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 1,082-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,082-mile route from Chicago to Portland, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,075 for a studio up to $8,633 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,190 - $4,122 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $718 - $1,935, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,151 - $3,536, 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 Chicago, IL to Portland, ME
Hiring full-service movers from Chicago, Illinois, to Portland, Maine, costs between $2,075 and $8,633. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,082-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $325 - $2,168, 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 Chicago and Portland. For a rough baseline, movers based in Chicago tend to start around $220 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 Chicago to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,075 - $5,158
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,476 - $6,197
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,418 - $8,633
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 Chicago to Portland.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Maine. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Chicago, IL to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago 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 packing99% of local movers | $542 - $5,420 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $217 - $1,301/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $325 - $2,602 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $1,084 - $3,252 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,710 - $10,840 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $812 - $1,543 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $1,084 - $2,710 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $867 - $3,794 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $325 - $1,626 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $705 - $2,168 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $325 - $16,260+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $325 - $3,794+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Portland?
All three below meet the standards set by the Maine Motor Transport Association, the group most Maine movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Chicago, IL, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,190 and $4,122. 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 Chicago runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,190 - $2,431
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,549 - $3,351
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,158 - $4,122
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 $759 in Chicago, IL. 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 $81 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $163 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 Illinois 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 $1,190. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,549 - $3,351, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago:
- Move-tastic (5.0/5), 17 years in business
- H2H Movers Inc (4.9/5), 12 years in business
- Stark Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Portland, ME
Truck rentals from Chicago, Illinois, to Portland, Maine, range from $718 - $1,935 for the 1,082-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $373 - $427
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
| 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 Chicago to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $718 - $1,350
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $760 - $1,640
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,024 - $1,935
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $718 - $1,935 does not include fuel ($373 - $427) , lodging ($163/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Chicago to Portland typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $163 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 $70 and $352 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $373 - $427 in fuel for the 1,082-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $759 in Chicago, Illinois, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago 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 Chicago, IL to Portland, ME
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Chicago, Illinois, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,317 and $2,681.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,151 - $2,083
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,317 - $2,681
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,813 - $3,536
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $81 - $163 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Chicago, Illinois, typically costs $759.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Portland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Chicago 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: Chicago, IL vs Portland, ME
Chicago and Portland land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Chicago and 112 in Portland, and rent tracks closely too ($2,045/mo vs. $1,991/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (77 vs 62) and safety scores (33.87 vs 67.84) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Portland, ME to Chicago, IL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois 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 103 movers in our Illinois network to compare for this 1,082-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,082-mile route from Chicago, IL, to Portland, ME, run $2,075 - $8,633 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,190 - $4,122, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $718 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,476, 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 Chicago, IL, to Portland, ME
What do local movers charge in Chicago?
Local movers based in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Portland run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Maine?
Although a local license is not required in Maine, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
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 walkable is Portland?
Portland has a walkability score of 62 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 68, compared to 77 and 72 in Chicago. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 33.87 and 35.19 in Chicago. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
