($912+) Montgomery, AL to Portland, ME Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Portland, ME, runs anywhere from $931 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,613 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,336 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 $2,435, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,613 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,474 - $5,201, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $931 - $2,530.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to Portland, ME. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,465 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 Montgomery, AL to Portland, ME
There are 3 main ways to move from Montgomery 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 $3,465 - $7,248. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,336-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 1,336-mile route from Montgomery to Portland, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,435 - $6,107, container $1,474 - $2,694, rental truck $931 - $1,797, freight trailer $1,380 - $2,548.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,465 - $7,248, container $1,902 - $3,720, rental truck $997 - $2,138, freight trailer $1,537 - $3,099.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,486 - $10,613, container $2,530 - $5,201, rental truck $1,279 - $2,530, freight trailer $1,982 - $3,957.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated August 31, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Montgomery, AL to Portland, ME
For the 1,336-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Portland, Maine, full-service movers cost between $2,435 and $10,613. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $277 - $1,844 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Montgomery generally start around $462 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,435 - $6,107
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,465 - $7,248
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,486 - $10,613
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 Montgomery to Portland.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Alabama to Maine. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
Add-ons and specialty services from Montgomery, AL to Portland, ME
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost (Montgomery to Portland) |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | You want the crew to box everything | $461 - $4,610 |
| Storage in transit | Your new place is not ready on arrival | $184 - $1,106/mo |
| Shuttle fee | A full-size truck cannot reach the door | $277 - $2,213 |
| Full-value protection | Coverage beyond the default $0.60/lb | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Shipments under about 2,000 lbs | $922 - $2,766 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,305 - $9,220 |
| Car shipping | Moving a second vehicle | $691 - $1,312 |
| Antiques & fine art | Climate control and white-glove handling | $922 - $2,305 |
| Piano | Upright, baby grand, or grand | $738 - $3,227 |
| Pool table | Disassembly and professional re-leveling | $277 - $1,383 |
| Hot tub | 500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect | $599 - $1,844 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled, vibration-safe transport | $277 - $13,830+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or VIP concierge | $277 - $3,227+ |
| Basic utilities | Ongoing monthly cost in Portland | $203/mo |
| Internet | Ongoing monthly cost in Portland | $73/mo |
| Cell phone plan | Ongoing monthly cost in Portland | $55/mo |
What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery 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 the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Montgomery, AL, 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 Montgomery, AL to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,474 and $5,201. 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 Montgomery costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,474 - $2,694
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,902 - $3,720
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,530 - $5,201
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Montgomery, AL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $645, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $69 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $138 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Montgomery, AL, and Portland, ME, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama 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 $1,474. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,902 - $3,720, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Montgomery to Portland?
- PODS (4.8/5 stars): PODS is best for nationwide coverage. It runs the widest service network of any container company, with secure month-to-month storage and steel-frame containers you load on your own schedule.
- Units Moving & Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars): Units is best for locally owned service. Their steel containers come in multiple sizes that fit tight driveways, and locally owned branches mean you reach a live support team that knows your area.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat: 1-800-Pack-Rat is best for weatherproof storage. Their all-steel containers hold up well in transit and long storage windows, with flexible month-to-month terms when your move-in date slips.
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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery:
- McCorquodale Transfer (5.0/5), 28 years in business
- Motivated Movers, Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
- Admiral Movers (4.8/5), 37 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Montgomery, AL to Portland, ME
Truck rentals from Montgomery, Alabama, to Portland, Maine, range from $931 - $2,530 for the 1,336-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $392 - $448
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Montgomery 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 Montgomery to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $931 - $1,797
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $997 - $2,138
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,279 - $2,530
Pro tip: A rental truck from Montgomery to Portland looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $931 - $2,530. But once you factor in fuel ($392 - $448) , overnight lodging ($138/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $69 and $323.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $138.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $392 and $448 for the 1,336-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $645 for 2 movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to Portland?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars): Budget Truck Rental is the best value rental on this list. Budget undercuts most competitors on base rates and layers in discounts for online bookings, AAA membership, and military service.
- Penske Truck Rental (4/5 stars): Penske Truck Rental is the most reliable option here. Their newer fleet, unlimited mileage on one-way moves, and 24/7 roadside assistance make Penske the choice when breakdown risk is the bigger concern than cost.
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars): U-Haul Truck Rental offers the best availability. U-Haul operates more than 23,000 locations and offers 7 truck sizes, giving it the largest pickup network and the broadest accommodation for last-minute or one-way moves.
Freight trailer costs from Montgomery, AL to Portland, ME
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Montgomery, Alabama, to Portland, Maine. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,537 and $3,099.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,380 - $2,548
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,537 - $3,099
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,982 - $3,957
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $645.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $69 and $138 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Portland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Holley Trucking (44/5 stars): Holley Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
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: Montgomery, AL 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 Montgomery on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Montgomery, AL | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 79 | 112 |
| Average rent | $1,200/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $146,265 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $55,687/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.0% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 26/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 34.75/100 | 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 Montgomery, AL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 557 real quotes from Montgomery, AL to Portland, ME 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 46 movers in our Alabama network to compare for this 1,336-mile move.
Our take
A move from Montgomery, AL, to Portland, ME, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,435 - $10,613 on the 1,336-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,474 - $5,201, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $931 - $2,530. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,465 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include TD Banknorth Inc and Maine Medical Center.
FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Portland, ME
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 34.75 and 65.25 in Montgomery. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Montgomery, AL 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 $997 - $2,138. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 long does a move from Montgomery, AL 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 do local movers charge in Montgomery?
Local movers based in Montgomery typically start around $462 as a base rate, plus $133/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.
