($774+) Birmingham, AL to Portland, ME Movers
Moving from Birmingham, AL, to Portland, ME, runs anywhere from $774 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,932 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,281 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 $2,294, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,932 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,280 - $4,322, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $774 - $2,207.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Birmingham, AL, to Portland, ME. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,923 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 Birmingham, AL to Portland, ME
Moving options from Birmingham to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,923 - $6,267 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 46% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 71% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,281 miles, this route usually takes 3 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,281-mile route from Birmingham to Portland, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,294 - $5,260 with full-service movers, $1,280 - $2,311 with a container, $774 - $1,460 with a rental truck, or $1,197 - $2,101 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,923 - $6,267 full-service, $1,585 - $3,321 by container, $845 - $1,882 by rental truck, or $1,281 - $2,710 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,731 - $8,932 full-service, $2,215 - $4,322 by container, $1,115 - $2,207 by rental truck, or $1,807 - $3,528 by freight.
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 Birmingham, AL to Portland, ME
Hiring full-service movers from Birmingham, Alabama, to Portland, Maine, costs between $2,294 and $8,932. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,281-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $291 - $1,940, 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 Birmingham and Portland. For a rough baseline, movers based in Birmingham tend to start around $310 plus $175/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 Birmingham to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,294 - $5,260
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,923 - $6,267
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,731 - $8,932
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 Birmingham 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: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Birmingham, AL to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Birmingham 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 packing68% of local movers | $485 - $4,850 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $194 - $1,164/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $291 - $2,328 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage6% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $970 - $2,910 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,425 - $9,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $727 - $1,380 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $970 - $2,425 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $776 - $3,395 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $291 - $1,455 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Secure Moving, Inc | $631 - $1,940 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $291 - $14,550+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $291 - $3,395+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Birmingham 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 Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, AL to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Birmingham, Alabama, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,280 and $4,322. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Birmingham typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Birmingham to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,280 - $2,311
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,585 - $3,321
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,215 - $4,322
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Birmingham, AL 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 $679 in Birmingham, AL, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $73 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $146 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 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 $1,280. 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 $1,585 - $3,321.
What are the best moving containers Birmingham 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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham:
- New Latitude Movers (4.9/5), 29 years in business
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 27 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.5/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Birmingham, AL to Portland, ME
A rental truck for this 1,281-mile move from Birmingham, Alabama, to Portland, Maine, costs between $774 and $2,207. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $395 - $452
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Birmingham 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 Birmingham to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $774 - $1,460
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $845 - $1,882
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,115 - $2,207
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $774 - $2,207 when pricing out a rental truck from Birmingham to Portland. Fuel alone runs $395 - $452, and overnight lodging ($146/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $395 - $452 for the 1,281-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Birmingham, Alabama, for about 5 hours typically costs around $679.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,281-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $146 per night, adding $291 - $437 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $49 and $291.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Birmingham 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 Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,281 and $2,710.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Birmingham to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,197 - $2,101
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,281 - $2,710
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,807 - $3,528
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 $73 and $146.
- 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 Birmingham, Alabama, for roughly five hours typically average $679.
What are the best freight companies from Birmingham 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.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Birmingham, 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 Birmingham on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Birmingham, AL | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 112 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $141,615 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $44,376/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.0% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 33/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 38.36/100 | 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 Birmingham, AL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to Maine, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Alabama alone has 142 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,281-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Birmingham, AL, to Portland, ME, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,294 for a studio to $8,932 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,281-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,280 - $4,322. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $774 - $2,207, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,923 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include TD Banknorth Inc and Maine Medical Center.
FAQs: Moving from Birmingham, AL, to Portland, ME
How much does it cost to move from Birmingham, AL to Portland, ME?
Costs on this route range from around $774 to $8,932, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,294 and $8,932, 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 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 do local movers charge in Birmingham?
Local movers based in Birmingham typically start around $310 as a base rate, plus $175/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.
What percentage of Birmingham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Birmingham handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.