($599+) Portland, ME to Dayton, OH Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Dayton, OH, runs anywhere from $599 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,274 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 943 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 $2,266, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,274 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,163 - $3,740, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $599 - $1,688.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Dayton, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,650 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 Dayton, OH
Moving options from Portland to Dayton fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,650 - $6,750 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 43% 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 943 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 943-mile route from Portland to Dayton, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,266 for a studio up to $9,274 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,163 - $3,740 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $599 - $1,688, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,037 - $3,113, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Dayton, OH
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 943-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Dayton, Ohio, with costs ranging from $2,266 - $9,274. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $298 - $1,984. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Portland and Dayton. 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 Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,266 - $5,485
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,650 - $6,750
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,356 - $9,274
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 Dayton.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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 Dayton, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Dayton, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing84% of local movers | $496 - $4,960 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $198 - $1,190/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $298 - $2,381 |
| 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 | $992 - $2,976 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,480 - $9,920 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $743 - $1,412 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Tiny Tim's Moving | $992 - $2,480 |
| Piano | Any piano type44% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $794 - $3,472 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $298 - $1,488 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $645 - $1,984 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $298 - $14,880+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $298 - $3,472+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Dayton?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Ohio Association of Movers 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 Dayton, OH
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Dayton, Ohio, cost between $1,163 and $3,740. 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 Dayton. 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 Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,163 - $2,053
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,510 - $2,794
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,859 - $3,740
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Portland, ME, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $694, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $74 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $149 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Portland, ME, and Dayton, OH, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to Ohio 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 $1,163. 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 $1,510 - $2,794.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Dayton?
- 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 Dayton, OH
A rental truck for this 943-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Dayton, Ohio, costs between $599 and $1,688. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $298 - $340
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 Dayton based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $599 - $1,122
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $700 - $1,362
- 4+ bedrooms: $853 - $1,688
Pro tip: A rental truck from Portland to Dayton looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $599 - $1,688. But once you factor in fuel ($298 - $340), overnight lodging ($149/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $74 and $347.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $149.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $298 and $340 for the 943-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $694 for 2 movers in Portland, Maine, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Dayton?
- 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 Dayton, OH
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Portland, Maine, to Dayton, Ohio. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $893 and $2,304.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,037 - $1,828
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,104 - $2,304
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,549 - $3,113
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 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 $74 and $149.
- 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 $694.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Dayton?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Portland to Dayton, 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 Dayton, OH
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Dayton, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Dayton, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 80 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $925/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $94,536 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $43,454/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 6.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 3.5% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 40.68/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Dayton, OH 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 Ohio, 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 46 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 943-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Portland, ME, to Dayton, OH, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,266 - $9,274 on the 943-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,163 - $3,740, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $599 - $1,688. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,650 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Morgan Linen & Uniform Services and Premier Physicians.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Dayton, OH
How much does it cost to move from Portland, ME to Dayton, OH?
Costs on this route range from around $599 to $9,274, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,266 and $9,274, 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 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 Dayton run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Ohio?
Although a local license is not required in Ohio, 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 Dayton?
For families, Downtown, Webster Station, and South Park are worth a look in Dayton. If you're moving solo or without kids, Oakwood, Centerville, and Springboro tend to be popular picks instead.
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.