($1,584+) San Francisco, CA to Portland, ME Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Portland, ME ranges from $1,466 to $13,343, with an average cost of $5,000. Moves can be as low as $1,584 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 3,198 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 San Francisco, CA to Portland, ME
Moving options from San Francisco to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,466 - $13,343 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $5,000, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 61% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 3,198 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 3,198-mile route from San Francisco to Portland, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,466 - $6,597 with full-service movers, $1,902 - $3,830 with a container, $1,584 - $3,328 with a rental truck, or $1,784 - $3,411 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $4,459 - $8,270 full-service, $2,728 - $5,446 by container, $1,733 - $3,849 by rental truck, or $2,078 - $4,138 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $8,310 - $13,343 full-service, $3,626 - $7,817 by container, $2,147 - $4,774 by rental truck, or $2,901 - $5,897 by freight.
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 San Francisco, CA to Portland, ME
For the 3,198-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Portland, Maine, full-service movers cost between $1,466 and $13,343. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $575 - $3,836 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in San Francisco generally start around $284 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,466 - $6,597
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,459 - $8,270
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,310 - $13,343
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 San Francisco to Portland.
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 San Francisco, CA to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Portland, 50% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $959 - $9,590 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $384 - $2,302/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $575 - $4,603 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $1,918 - $5,754 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,795 - $19,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,437 - $2,729 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $1,918 - $4,795 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Got2Move | $1,534 - $6,713 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $575 - $2,877 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $1,247 - $3,836 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $575 - $28,770+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $575 - $6,713+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Portland?
All three below meet the standards set by the Maine Motor Transport Association, the group most Maine 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 San Francisco, CA. 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 San Francisco, CA to Portland, ME
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,902 and $7,817. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in San Francisco typically runs around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,902 - $3,830
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,728 - $5,446
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,626 - $7,817
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $144 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $288 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 $1,343 in San Francisco, 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 $1,902. 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 $2,728 - $5,446.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco:
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Portland, ME
Plan on $1,584 - $4,774 for a rental moving truck on the 3,198-mile route from San Francisco, California, to Portland, Maine. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,952 - $2,230
- Daily insurance: $58/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $38
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| 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 San Francisco to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,584 - $3,328
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,733 - $3,849
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,147 - $4,774
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,584 - $4,774 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from San Francisco to Portland. Fuel ($1,952 - $2,230), lodging at around $288/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,952 - $2,230 for the 3,198-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 San Francisco, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,343.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 3,198-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $288 per night, adding $575 - $863 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $96 and $575.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco 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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $2,078 and $4,138.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,784 - $3,411
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,078 - $4,138
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,901 - $5,897
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 $144 and $288.
- 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 San Francisco, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,343.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Portland?
- 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Francisco 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: San Francisco, 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 San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 112 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 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 San Francisco, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Maine, 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. California alone has 1,154 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 3,198-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Francisco, 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 $1,466 - $13,343 on the 3,198-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,902 - $7,817 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,584 - $4,774 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $4,459 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 San Francisco, CA, to Portland, ME
Is Portland a safe place to live?
Portland has a safety index of 67.84 out of 100 and a crime index of 32.16, compared to 38.59 and 61.41 in San Francisco. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Portland?
Portland has a walkability score of 62 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 68, compared to 99 and 99 in San Francisco. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 San Francisco?
Local movers based in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate, plus $150/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 percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.