($748+) Portland, ME to Charleston, SC Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Charleston, SC, runs anywhere from $770 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,262 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,410, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,262 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,216 - $4,080, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $770 - $2,116.
- 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 $3,150 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 Charleston, SC
Moving options from Portland to Charleston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,150 - $7,127 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,075-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
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 makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,410 - $5,995 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,216 - $2,292), rental truck ($770 - $1,323), or freight trailer ($1,083 - $2,020). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,150 - $7,127 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $9,262.
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 Charleston, SC
Full-service movers for the 1,075-mile relocation from Portland, Maine, to Charleston, South Carolina, cost between $2,410 and $9,262. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $336 - $2,240, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Portland typically charge a base rate around $382 plus $135 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Charleston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,410 - $5,995
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,150 - $7,127
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,235 - $9,262
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to South Carolina. 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.
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 Charleston, SC
Specialty needs vary by market — 78% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Charleston, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $560 - $5,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready78% of local movers85% 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 coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% 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 items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $1,120 - $2,800 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $896 - $3,920 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling89% of local movers | $336 - $1,680 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect78% of local movers22% 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?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in South Carolina Trucking 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 Charleston, SC
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Charleston, South Carolina, cost between $1,216 and $4,080. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Portland typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Charleston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,216 - $2,292
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,533 - $3,286
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,093 - $4,080
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 $1,216. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,533 - $3,286, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- 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 Charleston, SC
Truck rentals from Portland, Maine, to Charleston, South Carolina, range from $770 - $2,116 for the 1,075-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- 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: $770 - $1,323
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $832 - $1,673
- 4+ bedrooms: $975 - $2,116
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Portland to Charleston starts at $770 - $2,116, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($383 - $438) , overnight lodging ($168/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
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 well suited for larger moves from Portland, Maine, to Charleston, South Carolina, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,239 and $2,603.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Charleston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,083 - $2,020
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,239 - $2,603
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,691 - $3,468
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 $84 and $168.
- 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 $784.
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.
- Dubois Livestock (3.96/5 stars): Dubois Livestock is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
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: Portland, ME vs Charleston, SC
Portland and Charleston land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 112 in Portland and 112 in Charleston, and rent tracks closely too ($1,991/mo vs. $2,500/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (62 vs 40) and safety scores (67.84 vs 55.03) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Charleston, SC to Portland, ME guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maine to South Carolina, 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. Maine alone has 15 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,075-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Portland, ME, to Charleston, SC, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,410 - $9,262 on the 1,075-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,216 - $4,080 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $770 - $2,116 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,150 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
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
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Portland, ME to Charleston, SC?
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.
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 Charleston run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Portland, ME to Charleston, SC 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 are the best neighborhoods in Charleston?
For families, Mount Pleasant, Park Circle, and Stiles Point are worth a look in Charleston. If you're moving solo or without kids, Harleston Village, James Island, and North Charleston tend to be popular picks instead.
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 $832 - $1,673. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
