($1,784+) Irvine, CA to Portland, ME Movers
The cost to move from Irvine, CA to Portland, ME ranges from $1,479 to $13,727, with an average cost of $5,250. Moves can be as low as $1,784 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 3,081 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.
Compare moving options from Irvine, CA to Portland, ME
Moving options from Irvine to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,479 - $13,727 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $5,250, 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 3,081 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 3,081-mile route from Irvine to Portland, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,479 - $7,062 with full-service movers, $2,123 - $4,143 with a container, $1,801 - $3,462 with a rental truck, or $1,891 - $3,691 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $4,322 - $9,492 full-service, $2,727 - $6,062 by container, $1,913 - $4,161 by rental truck, or $2,270 - $4,572 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $8,556 - $13,727 full-service, $3,920 - $7,815 by container, $2,466 - $4,865 by rental truck, or $3,106 - $6,567 by freight.
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 Irvine, CA to Portland, ME
Full-service movers for the 3,081-mile relocation from Irvine, California, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,479 and $13,727. 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 $431 - $2,876, 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 Irvine typically charge a base rate around $197 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Irvine to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,479 - $7,062
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,322 - $9,492
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,556 - $13,727
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 Irvine 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: 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 Irvine, CA to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Irvine 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 | $719 - $7,190 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $288 - $1,726/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $431 - $3,451 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers | $1,438 - $4,314 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,595 - $14,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,077 - $2,046 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,438 - $3,595 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,150 - $5,033 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling35% of local movers | $431 - $2,157 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company | $935 - $2,876 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $431 - $21,570+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $431 - $5,033+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Irvine to Portland?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Maine Motor Transport 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 almost always better priced than local movers in Irvine, CA. 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 Irvine, CA to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Irvine, California, to Portland, Maine, cost between $2,123 and $7,815. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Irvine costs roughly $110/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Irvine to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,123 - $4,143
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,727 - $6,062
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,920 - $7,815
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Irvine, CA and Portland, ME. 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 $1,007 in Irvine, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $108 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $216 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 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 $2,123. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,727 - $6,062, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Irvine 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 Irvine 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 Irvine:
- California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Irvine, CA to Portland, ME
A rental truck for this 3,081-mile move from Irvine, California, to Portland, Maine, costs between $1,801 and $4,865. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,410 - $1,611
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Irvine 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 Irvine to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,801 - $3,462
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,913 - $4,161
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,466 - $4,865
Pro tip: A rental truck from Irvine to Portland looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,801 - $4,865. But once you factor in fuel ($1,410 - $1,611) , overnight lodging ($216/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. 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 $108 and $503.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $216.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,410 and $1,611 for the 3,081-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 $1,007 for 2 movers in Irvine, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Irvine 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 Irvine, CA to Portland, ME
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 Irvine, California, to Portland, Maine. 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 $2,270 and $4,572.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,891 - $3,691
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,270 - $4,572
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,106 - $6,567
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 $108 and $216.
- 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 Irvine, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,007.
What are the best freight companies from Irvine to Portland?
- 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.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Portland 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: Irvine, 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 Irvine on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Irvine, CA | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 112 |
| Average rent | $4,000/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $1,113,305 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $129,647/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 68.99/100 | 67.84/100 |
| 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 Portland, ME to Irvine, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Maine, 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 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 3,081-mile move.
Our take
The 3,081-mile move from Irvine, CA, to Portland, ME, costs between $1,479 and $13,727 with full-service movers, $2,123 - $7,815 with a moving container, and $1,801 - $4,865 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 $4,322 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 TD Banknorth Inc and Maine Medical Center.
FAQs: Moving from Irvine, CA, to Portland, ME
What are the best neighborhoods in Portland?
For families, Deering Center, East End, and Rosemont are worth a look in Portland. If you're moving solo or without kids, East End, West End, and West Bayside tend to be popular picks instead.
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 do local movers charge in Irvine?
Local movers based in Irvine typically start around $197 as a base rate, plus $75/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 Portland run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
How much does it cost to move from Irvine, CA to Portland, ME?
Costs on this route range from around $1,479 to $13,727, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,479 and $13,727, 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 percentage of Irvine movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in Irvine handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.