($1,801+) Riverside, CA to Portland, ME Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to Portland, ME ranges from $1,569 to $14,707, with an average cost of $5,200. Moves can be as low as $1,801 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 3,047 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Riverside, CA to Portland, ME
Moving options from Riverside to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,569 - $14,707 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $5,200, and movers handle 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 particular route covers 3,047 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 3,047-mile route from Riverside to Portland, 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 $1,569 - $7,062 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($2,207 - $4,225), rental truck ($1,818 - $3,260), or freight trailer ($2,006 - $3,801). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $4,727 - $9,130 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $14,707.
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 Riverside, CA to Portland, ME
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 3,047-mile move from Riverside, California, to Portland, Maine, with costs ranging from $1,569 - $14,707. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $370 - $2,468. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Riverside and Portland. Local movers in Riverside typically start around $239 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Riverside to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,569 - $7,062
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,727 - $9,130
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,556 - $14,707
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 Riverside to Portland.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Maine. 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.
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Specialty moving services from Riverside, CA to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Riverside movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Portland, 78% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $617 - $6,170 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $247 - $1,481/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $370 - $2,962 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $1,234 - $3,702 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,085 - $12,340 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $924 - $1,756 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items62% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,234 - $3,085 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $987 - $4,319 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $370 - $1,851 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $802 - $2,468 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $370 - $18,510+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $370 - $4,319+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Riverside to Portland?
Movers licensed to operate in Maine are typically members of the Maine Motor Transport Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Riverside, CA, 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 Riverside, CA to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to Portland, Maine, cost between $2,207 and $7,736. 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 Riverside typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,207 - $4,225
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,865 - $5,658
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,768 - $7,736
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $93 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $185 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Portland, ME, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $864 in Riverside, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Maine 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 $2,207. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,865 - $5,658, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Riverside to Portland?
- 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 Riverside 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 Riverside:
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Burgess Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 80 years in business
- Alex Moving and Storage (3.6/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to Portland, ME
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 3,047 miles from Riverside, California, to Portland, Maine, running $1,818 - $5,110. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,196 - $1,367
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Riverside daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Riverside to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,818 - $3,260
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,894 - $3,841
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,443 - $5,110
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,818 - $5,110 when pricing out a rental truck from Riverside to Portland. Fuel alone runs ($1,196 - $1,367) , and overnight lodging ($185/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,196 - $1,367 for the 3,047-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Riverside, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $864.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 3,047-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $185 per night, adding $370 - $555 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $62 and $370.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Riverside to Portland?
- 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 Riverside, CA to Portland, ME
For larger DIY moves from Riverside, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Portland, Maine.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $2,248 and $4,434.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,006 - $3,801
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,248 - $4,434
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,953 - $5,999
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a 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 $93 and $185.
- 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 Riverside, California, for roughly five hours typically average $864.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside to Portland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Riverside to Portland. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Riverside, CA vs Portland, ME
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Portland, side by side with Riverside on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Riverside, CA | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 131 | 112 |
| Average rent | $2,295/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $539,898 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $88,575/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 59.76/100 | 67.84/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Portland, ME to Riverside, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Maine 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 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 3,047-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Riverside, CA, to Portland, ME, 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 $1,569 - $14,707 on the 3,047-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,207 - $7,736 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,818 - $5,110 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $4,727 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 TD Banknorth Inc and Maine Medical Center.
FAQs: Moving from Riverside, CA, to Portland, ME
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 3 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 Riverside, CA to Portland, ME?
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 Maine?
Although a local license is not required in Maine, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,196 - $1,367), daily insurance ($37/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $185/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Portland?
Portland has a walkability score of 62 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 68, compared to 43 and 49 in Riverside. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 62% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
