($679+) Portland, ME to Charleston, SC Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Charleston, SC, runs anywhere from $679 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,486 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,075 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 $2,516, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,486 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,136 - $4,219, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $679 - $2,001.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Charleston, SC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,890 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 Charleston, SC
Moving options from Portland to Charleston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,890 - $6,595 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 49% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 74% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,075 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 1,075-mile route from Portland to Charleston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,516 - $5,392 | $1,136 - $2,100 | $679 - $1,276 | $1,034 - $2,068 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,890 - $6,595 | $1,464 - $3,014 | $756 - $1,597 | $1,195 - $2,460 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,948 - $9,486 | $2,185 - $4,219 | $987 - $2,001 | $1,647 - $3,116 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Portland, ME to Charleston, SC
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,075-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Charleston, South Carolina, with costs ranging from $2,516 - $9,486. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $336 - $2,240. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Portland and Charleston. Local movers in Portland typically start around $382 as a base rate plus $135/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Charleston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,516 - $5,392
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,890 - $6,595
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,948 - $9,486
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 Charleston.
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.
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Specialty moving services from Portland, ME to Charleston, SC
Specialty needs vary by market: 53% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Charleston, 43% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing84% of local movers | $560 - $5,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready53% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $224 - $1,344/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $336 - $2,688 |
| 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 | $1,120 - $3,360 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,800 - $11,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $839 - $1,594 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Allen & Coles Moving Systems | $1,120 - $2,800 |
| Piano | Any piano type53% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $896 - $3,920 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $336 - $1,680 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $728 - $2,240 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $336 - $16,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $336 - $3,920+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Charleston?
All three below meet the standards set by the South Carolina Trucking Association, the group most South Carolina 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 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 Charleston, SC
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Charleston, South Carolina, cost between $1,136 and $4,219. 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 Charleston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,136 - $2,100
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,464 - $3,014
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,185 - $4,219
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $84 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $168 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 $784 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 Charleston, SC, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to South 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 $1,136. 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 $1,464 - $3,014.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Charleston?
- 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 Charleston, SC
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,075 miles from Portland, Maine, to Charleston, South Carolina, running $679 - $2,001. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $383 - $438
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 Charleston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $679 - $1,276
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $756 - $1,597
- 4+ bedrooms: $987 - $2,001
Pro tip: The base rate of $679 - $2,001 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Portland to Charleston. Fuel ($383 - $438), lodging at around $168/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $168 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Portland, Maine, usually costs about $784 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,075-mile drive falls between $383 and $438, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $56 and $336 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Charleston?
- 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 Charleston, SC
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 Charleston, South 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 $1,195 and $2,460.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Charleston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,034 - $2,068
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,195 - $2,460
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,647 - $3,116
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Portland, Maine, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $784.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $84 - $168 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Charleston?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Charleston 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 Charleston, SC
Day-to-day costs in Charleston are close to what you're used to in Portland: cost of living index of 112 versus 112, with average rent of $2,500/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 40/100 and 55.03/100 in Charleston.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Charleston, SC to Portland, ME guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Maine to South Carolina 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 25 movers in our Maine network to compare for this 1,075-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,075-mile route from Portland, ME, to Charleston, SC, run $2,516 - $9,486 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,136 - $4,219, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $679 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,890, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Charleston and Medical University of South Carolina.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Charleston, SC
How long does a move from Portland, ME to Charleston, SC take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($383 - $438), daily insurance ($34/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $168/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Portland, ME to Charleston, SC?
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 $756 - $1,597. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Portland, ME to Charleston, SC?
Costs on this route range from around $679 to $9,486, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,516 and $9,486, 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 percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 53% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.