($674+) Lexington, KY to Portland, ME Movers
Moving from Lexington, KY, to Portland, ME, runs anywhere from $674 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,315 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,017 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 $2,189, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,315 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,104 - $3,874, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $674 - $1,759.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lexington, KY, to Portland, ME. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,644 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Lexington, KY to Portland, ME
There are 3 main ways to move from Lexington to Portland: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,644 - $5,853. Moving containers run about 46% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 75% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,017-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,017-mile route from Lexington to Portland, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,189 - $4,879 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,104 - $2,118), rental truck ($674 - $1,267), or freight trailer ($1,035 - $1,887). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,644 - $5,853 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,315.
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 Lexington, KY to Portland, ME
Full-service movers for the 1,017-mile relocation from Lexington, Kentucky, to Portland, Maine, cost between $2,189 and $8,315. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $298 - $1,988, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Lexington typically charge a base rate around $197 plus $70 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lexington to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,189 - $4,879
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,644 - $5,853
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,290 - $8,315
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 Lexington 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 Lexington, KY to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market: 67% of Lexington 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 packing67% of local movers | $497 - $4,970 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC | $199 - $1,193/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $298 - $2,386 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage23% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs68% of local movers | $994 - $2,982 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,485 - $9,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $745 - $1,414 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $994 - $2,485 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: From Here To There, LLC | $795 - $3,479 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $298 - $1,491 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect18% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: From Here To There, LLC | $646 - $1,988 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $298 - $14,910+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $298 - $3,479+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Lexington 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Lexington, KY. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Lexington, KY to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Lexington, Kentucky, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,104 and $3,874. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Lexington costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lexington to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,104 - $2,118
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,435 - $2,915
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,096 - $3,874
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Lexington, KY 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 $696 in Lexington, KY, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $75 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $149 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 Kentucky 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 $1,104. 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 $1,435 - $2,915.
What are the best moving containers Lexington 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 Lexington 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 Lexington:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 20 years in business
- From Here To There, LLC (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- My 3 Son's Moving, 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Lexington, KY to Portland, ME
Truck rentals from Lexington, Kentucky, to Portland, Maine, range from $674 - $1,759 for the 1,017-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $322 - $368
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Lexington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Lexington to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $674 - $1,267
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $671 - $1,475
- 4+ bedrooms: $914 - $1,759
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Lexington to Portland starts at $674 - $1,759, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($322 - $368), overnight lodging ($149/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 $149 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 $65 and $323 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $322 - $368 in fuel for the 1,017-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $696 in Lexington, Kentucky, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Lexington 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 Lexington, KY to Portland, ME
If you're moving a larger household from Lexington, Kentucky, 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 $1,207 and $2,473.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lexington to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,035 - $1,887
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,207 - $2,473
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,661 - $3,006
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $75 - $149 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Lexington, Kentucky, for about five hours typically runs $696.
What are the best freight companies from Lexington to Portland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Lexington to Portland. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Lexington, KY 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 Lexington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Lexington, KY | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 112 |
| Average rent | $1,345/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $272,002 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $67,631/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.0% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 90/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 49.12/100 | 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 Lexington, KY guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Kentucky 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 75 movers based in Kentucky, handy for sizing up options on this 1,017-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Lexington, KY, to Portland, ME, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,189 - $8,315 on the 1,017-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,104 - $3,874 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $674 - $1,759 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,644 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include TD Banknorth Inc and Maine Medical Center.
FAQs: Moving from Lexington, KY, to Portland, ME
What is the cheapest way to move from Lexington, KY 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 $671 - $1,475. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 49.12 and 50.88 in Lexington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 is the best time of year to move from Lexington, KY 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.
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 percentage of Lexington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Lexington handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.