($1,009+) Portland, OR to St. Paul, MN Movers
Moving from Portland, OR, to St. Paul, MN, runs anywhere from $1,009 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,997 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,737 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,441, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,997 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,401 - $5,168, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,009 - $2,881.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, OR, to St. Paul, MN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,378 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, OR to St. Paul, MN
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland to St. Paul: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,378 - $7,749. Moving containers run about 45% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 69% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,737-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,737-mile route from Portland to St. Paul, 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 $2,441 - $5,601 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,401 - $2,642), rental truck ($1,009 - $2,018), or freight trailer ($1,313 - $2,378). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,378 - $7,749 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,997.
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, OR to St. Paul, MN
Full-service movers for the 1,737-mile relocation from Portland, Oregon, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $2,441 and $10,997. 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 $353 - $2,352, 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 $278 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,441 - $5,601
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,378 - $7,749
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,412 - $10,997
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 St. Paul.
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.
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Specialty moving services from Portland, OR to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Paul, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $588 - $5,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $235 - $1,411/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $353 - $2,822 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $1,176 - $3,528 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,940 - $11,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $881 - $1,673 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $1,176 - $2,940 |
| Piano | Any piano type32% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: You Move Me | $941 - $4,116 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $353 - $1,764 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Cal's Moving Help LLC (OR) | $764 - $2,352 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $353 - $17,640+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $353 - $4,116+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to St. Paul?
All three below meet the standards set by the Minnesota Transport Services Association, the group most Minnesota 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Portland, OR. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Portland, OR to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from Portland, Oregon, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,401 and $5,168. 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 St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,401 - $2,642
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,867 - $3,774
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,522 - $5,168
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Portland, OR and St. Paul, MN. 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 $823 in Portland, OR, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $88 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $176 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 Oregon to Minnesota 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 $1,401. 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 $1,867 - $3,774.
What are the best moving containers Portland to St. Paul?
- 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:
- 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery (4.9/5), 18 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, OR to St. Paul, MN
A rental truck for this 1,737-mile move from Portland, Oregon, to St. Paul, Minnesota, costs between $1,009 and $2,881. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $650 - $743
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Portland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.19
| 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 St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,009 - $2,018
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,037 - $2,217
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,445 - $2,881
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,009 - $2,881 when pricing out a rental truck from Portland to St. Paul. Fuel alone runs $650 - $743, and overnight lodging ($176/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $176 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $76 and $382 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $650 - $743 in fuel for the 1,737-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $823 in Portland, Oregon, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to St. Paul?
- 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, OR to St. Paul, MN
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, Oregon, to St. Paul, Minnesota. 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 $1,478 and $3,019.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,313 - $2,378
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,478 - $3,019
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,100 - $4,135
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $88 - $176 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Portland, Oregon, for about five hours typically runs $823.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to St. Paul?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in St. Paul 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, OR vs St. Paul, MN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Paul, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, OR | St. Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 128 | 102 |
| Average rent | $1,530/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $556,420 | $279,535 |
| Average income | $88,792/yr | $73,055/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 4.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.9% | Up to 9.85% |
| Walkability score | 81/100 | 60/100 |
| Safety index | 42.63/100 | 49.14/100 |
| 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 St. Paul, MN to Portland, OR guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Oregon to Minnesota, 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. Oregon alone has 122 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,737-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Portland, OR, to St. Paul, MN, 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 $2,441 - $10,997 on the 1,737-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,401 - $5,168, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,009 - $2,881. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,378 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 Siemens and ACS Group.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, OR, to St. Paul, MN
Is St. Paul a safe place to live?
St. Paul has a safety index of 49.14 out of 100 and a crime index of 50.86, compared to 42.63 and 57.37 in Portland. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 is the best time of year to move from Portland, OR to St. Paul, MN?
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. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Minnesota?
To operate legally within the state, Minnesota household goods movers must have a current permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Before being granted operating authority, each moving company must file a public tariff, provide proof of insurance and submit a Certificate of Compliance to MnDOT.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($650 - $743), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $24) on top. Overnight stops can add another $176/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 32% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.