($789+) Portland, ME to Chattanooga, TN Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Chattanooga, TN, runs anywhere from $728 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,339 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,135 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 $2,398, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,339 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,340 - $4,214, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $728 - $2,195.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Chattanooga, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,985 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 Portland, ME to Chattanooga, TN
Moving options from Portland to Chattanooga fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,985 - $7,498 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,135 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,135-mile route from Portland to Chattanooga, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,398 - $6,023, container $1,340 - $2,479, rental truck $728 - $1,444, freight trailer $1,160 - $2,189.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,985 - $7,498, container $1,561 - $3,123, rental truck $852 - $1,717, freight trailer $1,341 - $2,578.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,006 - $9,339, container $2,289 - $4,214, rental truck $1,019 - $2,195, freight trailer $1,706 - $3,337.
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 Chattanooga, TN
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,135-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, with prices running from $2,398 - $9,339. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $310 - $2,064 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Portland and Chattanooga are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Portland movers tend to run around $382 as a base rate plus $135/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,398 - $6,023
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,985 - $7,498
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,006 - $9,339
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 Chattanooga.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Portland, ME to Chattanooga, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 78% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chattanooga, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $516 - $5,160 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready78% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $206 - $1,238/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $310 - $2,477 |
| 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 | $1,032 - $3,096 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,580 - $10,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $773 - $1,469 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $1,032 - $2,580 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $826 - $3,612 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling89% of local movers | $310 - $1,548 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect78% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $671 - $2,064 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $310 - $15,480+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $310 - $3,612+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Chattanooga?
- 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 Portland, ME. 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 Portland, ME to Chattanooga, TN
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, cost between $1,340 and $4,214. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Chattanooga. If you go over that window, storage in Portland adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,340 - $2,479
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,561 - $3,123
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,289 - $4,214
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 $155 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 $722 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 Chattanooga, TN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to Tennessee 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 $1,340. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,561 - $3,123, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Chattanooga?
- 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 Chattanooga, TN
Renting a moving truck for the 1,135-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, costs between $728 and $2,195, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $373 - $426
- 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 Chattanooga based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $728 - $1,444
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $852 - $1,717
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,019 - $2,195
Pro tip: The base rate of $728 - $2,195 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Portland to Chattanooga. Fuel ($373 - $426) , lodging at around $155/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Portland, Maine, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $722.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $373 - $426 for the 1,135-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $62 and $335, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $155 per night for hotel stops on the 1,135-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $310 - $464.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Chattanooga?
- 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 Chattanooga, TN
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 Portland, Maine, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. 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 $1,341 and $2,578.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,160 - $2,189
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,341 - $2,578
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,706 - $3,337
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 pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $77 and $155.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Portland, Maine, for roughly five hours typically average $722.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Chattanooga?
- 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.
- Dubois Livestock (3.96/5 stars): Dubois Livestock 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga, TN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chattanooga, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Chattanooga, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 90 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $1,475/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $259,125 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $61,028/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | None |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 29/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 46.11/100 |
| 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 Chattanooga, TN to Portland, ME guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maine to Tennessee 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 1,135-mile route.
Our take
The 1,135-mile move from Portland, ME, to Chattanooga, TN, costs between $2,398 and $9,339 with full-service movers, $1,340 - $4,214 with a moving container, and $728 - $2,195 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,985 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Hamilton County and Schools Erlanger.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Chattanooga, TN
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Portland, ME to Chattanooga, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $2,398 to $9,339, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,398 and $9,339, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Portland, ME to Chattanooga, TN?
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 $852 - $1,717. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($373 - $426), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $155/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Portland, ME to Chattanooga, TN 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 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.
