($820+) Portland, ME to Columbus, GA Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Columbus, GA, runs anywhere from $812 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,963 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,289 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 $2,434, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,963 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,411 - $4,536, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $812 - $2,294.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Columbus, GA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,330 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 Columbus, GA
Moving options from Portland to Columbus fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,330 - $7,740 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,289 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 1,289-mile route from Portland to Columbus, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,434 - $5,932, container $1,411 - $2,475, rental truck $812 - $1,676, freight trailer $1,257 - $2,318.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,330 - $7,740, container $1,681 - $3,487, rental truck $878 - $1,938, freight trailer $1,386 - $2,873.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,723 - $9,963, container $2,349 - $4,536, rental truck $1,080 - $2,294, freight trailer $1,785 - $3,814.
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 Columbus, GA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,289-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Columbus, Georgia, with prices running from $2,434 - $9,963. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $295 - $1,968 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Portland and Columbus are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Portland movers tend to run around $382 as a base rate plus $135/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,434 - $5,932
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,330 - $7,740
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,723 - $9,963
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 Columbus.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to Georgia. 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 Portland, ME to Columbus, GA
Specialty needs vary by market — 78% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Columbus, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $492 - $4,920 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready78% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $197 - $1,181/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $295 - $2,362 |
| 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 | $984 - $2,952 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,460 - $9,840 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $737 - $1,400 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $984 - $2,460 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $787 - $3,444 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling89% of local movers | $295 - $1,476 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect78% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $640 - $1,968 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $295 - $14,760+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $295 - $3,444+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Columbus?
Look for Georgia Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Georgia beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Portland, ME. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Portland, ME to Columbus, GA
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Columbus, Georgia, cost between $1,411 and $4,536. 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 Columbus. 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 Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,411 - $2,475
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,681 - $3,487
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,349 - $4,536
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $74 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $148 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 $689 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 Columbus, GA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to Georgia 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 $1,411. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,681 - $3,487, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Columbus?
- 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 Columbus, GA
A rental truck for this 1,289-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Columbus, Georgia, costs between $812 and $2,294. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $404 - $461
- 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 Columbus based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $812 - $1,676
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $878 - $1,938
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,080 - $2,294
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $812 - $2,294 does not include fuel ($404 - $461) , lodging ($148/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Portland to Columbus typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Portland, Maine, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $689.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $404 - $461 for the 1,289-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $59 and $320, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $148 per night for hotel stops on the 1,289-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $295 - $443.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Columbus?
- 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 Columbus, GA
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 Columbus, Georgia. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,386 and $2,873.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,257 - $2,318
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,386 - $2,873
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,785 - $3,814
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Portland, Maine, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $689.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $74 and $148 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Columbus?
- 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.
- Dubois Livestock (3.96/5 stars): Dubois Livestock is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Columbus quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Portland, ME vs Columbus, GA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Columbus, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Columbus, GA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 78 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $1,100/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $179,307 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $56,622/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 5.49% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 25/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 27.82/100 |
| 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 Columbus, GA to Portland, ME guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Maine to Georgia, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 15 movers licensed in Maine, useful context for sizing up this 1,289-mile move.
Our take
The 1,289-mile move from Portland, ME, to Columbus, GA, costs between $2,434 and $9,963 with full-service movers, $1,411 - $4,536 with a moving container, and $812 - $2,294 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,330 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Aflac and TSYS.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Columbus, GA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Portland, ME to Columbus, GA?
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 is the best time of year to move from Portland, ME to Columbus, GA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. Georgia also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How long does a move from Portland, ME to Columbus, GA 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($404 - $461), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $148/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Portland, ME to Columbus, GA?
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 $878 - $1,938. 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.
