($567+) Portland, ME to Durham, NC Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $567 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,464 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 801 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,971, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,464 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,097 - $3,693, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $567 - $1,556.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,624 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 Durham, NC
Moving options from Portland to Durham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,624 - $6,146 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 50% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 78% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 801 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 801-mile route from Portland to Durham, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,971 - $4,934 | $1,097 - $1,962 | $567 - $1,059 | $967 - $1,765 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,624 - $6,146 | $1,314 - $2,641 | $588 - $1,271 | $1,062 - $2,242 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,246 - $8,464 | $1,763 - $3,693 | $782 - $1,556 | $1,455 - $2,842 |
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 Portland, ME to Durham, NC
For the 801-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Durham, North Carolina, full-service movers cost between $1,971 and $8,464. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $320 - $2,136 (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 Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,971 - $4,934
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,624 - $6,146
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,246 - $8,464
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 Durham.
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 Durham, NC
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Durham, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing84% of local movers | $534 - $5,340 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $214 - $1,282/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $320 - $2,563 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,068 - $3,204 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,670 - $10,680 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $800 - $1,520 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Tiny Tim's Moving | $1,068 - $2,670 |
| Piano | Any piano type44% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $854 - $3,738 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $320 - $1,602 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $694 - $2,136 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $320 - $16,020+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $320 - $3,738+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Durham?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in North Carolina Movers 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 Portland, ME, 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 Portland, ME to Durham, NC
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $1,097 and $3,693. 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 Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,097 - $1,962
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,314 - $2,641
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,763 - $3,693
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Portland, ME and Durham, NC. 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 $748 in Portland, ME, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $80 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $160 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 Maine to North Carolina 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 $1,097. 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 $1,314 - $2,641.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Durham?
- 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:
- Tiny Tim's Moving (4.3/5), 33 years in business
- Midwest Moving Company (4.8/5), 0 years in business
- SC Moving Services (5.0/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to Durham, NC
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 801 miles from Portland, Maine, to Durham, North Carolina, running $567 - $1,556. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $272 - $311
- Daily insurance: $32/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 Durham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $567 - $1,059
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $588 - $1,271
- 4+ bedrooms: $782 - $1,556
Pro tip: The base rate of $567 - $1,556 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Portland to Durham. Fuel ($272 - $311), lodging at around $160/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $272 - $311 for the 801-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 Portland, Maine, for about 5 hours typically costs around $748.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 801-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $160 per night, adding $320 - $481 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $53 and $320.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Durham?
- 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 Durham, NC
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 Durham, North Carolina. 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 $1,062 and $2,242.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Durham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $967 - $1,765
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,062 - $2,242
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,455 - $2,842
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?
- 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 $80 - $160 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 $748.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Durham?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Portland to Durham, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Portland, ME vs Durham, NC
Day-to-day costs in Durham are close to what you're used to in Portland: cost of living index of 99 versus 112, with average rent of $1,699/mo compared to $1,991/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 62/100 and 67.84/100 in Portland versus 30/100 and 45.28/100 in Durham.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Durham, NC to Portland, ME guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maine to North Carolina 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 46 movers based in Maine, handy for sizing up options on this 801-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 801-mile route from Portland, ME, to Durham, NC, run $1,971 - $8,464 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,097 - $3,693, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $567 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,624, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Durham tend to point to low cost of living and quality education, though terrible traffic and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Duke University & Duke Univ. Health System and IBM.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Durham, NC
What do local movers charge in Portland?
Local movers based in Portland typically start around $382 as a base rate, plus $135/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 Durham run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Portland, ME to Durham, NC?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Portland, ME to Durham, NC?
Costs on this route range from around $567 to $8,464, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,971 and $8,464, 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.
How walkable is Durham?
Durham has a walkability score of 30 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 38, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($272 - $311), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $160/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 44% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.