($422+) Portland, ME to Rochester, NY Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Rochester, NY, runs anywhere from $443 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,614 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 490 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,445, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,614 or more.
- Moving containers run $953 - $3,177, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $443 - $1,124.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Rochester, NY. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,309 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Portland, ME to Rochester, NY
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland to Rochester: 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 $2,309 - $6,199. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 490 miles, expect 1 to 4 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 490-mile route from Portland to Rochester, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,445 - $4,248 with full-service movers, $953 - $1,776 with a container, $443 - $763 with a rental truck, or $875 - $1,535 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,309 - $6,199 full-service, $1,245 - $2,547 by container, $440 - $961 by rental truck, or $977 - $1,940 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,286 - $8,614 full-service, $1,589 - $3,177 by container, $537 - $1,124 by rental truck, or $1,405 - $2,367 by freight.
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 Portland, ME to Rochester, NY
For the 490-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Rochester, New York, full-service movers cost between $1,445 and $8,614. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $308 - $2,056 (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 Portland generally start around $382 plus $135 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,445 - $4,248
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,309 - $6,199
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,286 - $8,614
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 Portland to Rochester.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to New York. 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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Portland, ME to Rochester, NY
Specialty needs vary by market — 78% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Rochester, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $514 - $5,140 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready78% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $206 - $1,234/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $308 - $2,467 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $1,028 - $3,084 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,570 - $10,280 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $770 - $1,463 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $1,028 - $2,570 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $822 - $3,598 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling89% of local movers | $308 - $1,542 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect78% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $668 - $2,056 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $308 - $15,420+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $308 - $3,598+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Rochester?
All three below meet the standards set by the New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, the group most New York 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.
How much do local movers cost in Portland, ME?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Portland to Rochester with a local mover averages $2,240 - $6,014. Working with a local mover based in Portland, ME often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Portland, ranked #1 in Maine, based on our analysis of feedback from 244 customers, 95.5% of which is positive.
Address: 24 Bridgton Road, Westbrook, ME, 04092 | Founded: 2017
Moving container costs from Portland, ME to Rochester, NY
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Rochester, New York, cost between $953 and $3,177. 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 Portland runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $953 - $1,776
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,245 - $2,547
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,589 - $3,177
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $77 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $154 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $720 in Portland, ME, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Rochester, NY, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to New York 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 $953. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,245 - $2,547, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Rochester?
- 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 Portland 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 Portland:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- Tiny Tim's Moving (4.3/5), 33 years in business
- Integrity Movers, 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to Rochester, NY
Renting a moving truck for the 490-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Rochester, New York, costs between $443 and $1,124, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $160 - $183
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Portland 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 Portland to Rochester based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $443 - $763
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $440 - $961
- 4+ bedrooms: $537 - $1,124
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $443 - $1,124 does not include fuel ($160 - $183) , lodging ($154/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Portland to Rochester typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $77 and $360.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $154.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $160 and $183 for the 490-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 $720 for 2 movers in Portland, Maine, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Rochester?
- 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 Portland, ME to Rochester, NY
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Portland, Maine, to Rochester, New York. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $925 and $1,940.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $875 - $1,535
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $977 - $1,940
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,405 - $2,367
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $77 - $154 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 Portland, Maine, typically costs $720.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Rochester?
- 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.
- Dubois Livestock (3.96/5 stars): Dubois Livestock 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 Rochester 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: Portland, ME vs Rochester, NY
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Rochester, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Rochester, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 89 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $120,492 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $46,628/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 9.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 10.9% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 61/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 36.66/100 |
| 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 Rochester, NY to Portland, ME guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maine to New York 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 15 movers based in Maine, handy for sizing up options on this 490-mile route.
Our take
A move from Portland, ME, to Rochester, NY, 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 $1,445 - $8,614 on the 490-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $953 - $3,177, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $443 - $1,124. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,309 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 Wegmans Food Markets and Paychex.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Rochester, NY
How long does a move from Portland, ME to Rochester, NY 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 is the best time of year to move from Portland, ME to Rochester, NY?
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. New York also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. 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 Portland, ME to Rochester, NY?
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.
Is Rochester a safe place to live?
Rochester has a safety index of 36.66 out of 100 and a crime index of 37.54, compared to 67.84 and 32.16 in Portland. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Rochester?
Rochester has a walkability score of 61 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 60, compared to 62 and 68 in Portland. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 100% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 67% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
