($1,304+) Portland, OR to Dayton, OH Movers
Moving from Portland, OR, to Dayton, OH, runs anywhere from $1,304 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $13,742 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,359 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 18 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 $2,770, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $13,742 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,746 - $6,233, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,304 - $3,869.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, OR, to Dayton, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,864 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 Dayton, OH
Moving options from Portland to Dayton fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,864 - $8,373 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 44% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 63% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,359 miles, this route usually takes 7 to 18 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,359-mile route from Portland to Dayton, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,770 for a studio up to $13,742 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,746 - $6,233 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,304 - $3,869, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,509 - $5,089, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Portland, OR to Dayton, OH
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,359-mile move from Portland, Oregon, to Dayton, Ohio, with costs ranging from $2,770 - $13,742. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $326 - $2,176. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Portland and Dayton. Local movers in Portland typically start around $278 as a base rate plus $130/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,770 - $6,689
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,864 - $8,373
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,719 - $13,742
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 Dayton.
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 Portland, OR to Dayton, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Dayton, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $544 - $5,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery | $218 - $1,306/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $326 - $2,611 |
| 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 | $1,088 - $3,264 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,720 - $10,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $815 - $1,548 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $1,088 - $2,720 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery | $870 - $3,808 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $326 - $1,632 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $707 - $2,176 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $326 - $16,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $326 - $3,808+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Dayton?
Ohio Association of Movers membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Ohio, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 almost always better priced than local movers in Portland, OR. 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, OR to Dayton, OH
Moving containers from Portland, Oregon, to Dayton, Ohio, cost between $1,746 and $6,233. 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 Dayton. 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 Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,746 - $3,339
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,171 - $4,830
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,016 - $6,233
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Portland, OR, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $762, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $82 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $163 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Portland, OR, and Dayton, OH, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Oregon to Ohio 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 $1,746. 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 $2,171 - $4,830.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Dayton?
- 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
- PDX Movers (4.8/5), 14 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, OR to Dayton, OH
Plan on $1,304 - $3,869 for a rental moving truck on the 2,359-mile route from Portland, Oregon, to Dayton, Ohio. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $817 - $933
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 Dayton based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,304 - $2,573
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,441 - $3,094
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,910 - $3,869
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,304 - $3,869 does not include fuel ($817 - $933), lodging ($163/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Portland to Dayton typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $163 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Portland, Oregon, usually costs about $762 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,359-mile drive falls between $817 and $933, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $54 and $326 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Dayton?
- 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 Dayton, OH
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 Dayton, Ohio. 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 $1,737 and $3,714.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,509 - $3,095
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,737 - $3,714
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,487 - $5,089
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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, Oregon, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $762.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $82 and $163 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Dayton?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Dayton 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 Dayton, OH
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Dayton, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, OR | Dayton, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 128 | 80 |
| Average rent | $1,530/mo | $925/mo |
| Median home value | $556,420 | $94,536 |
| Average income | $88,792/yr | $43,454/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 6.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.9% | Up to 3.5% |
| Walkability score | 81/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 42.63/100 | 40.68/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Dayton, OH 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 Ohio, 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 104 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,359-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 2,359-mile move from Portland, OR, to Dayton, OH, costs between $2,770 and $13,742 with full-service movers, $1,746 - $6,233 with a moving container, and $1,304 - $3,869 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 $3,864 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 Morgan Linen & Uniform Services and Premier Physicians.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, OR, to Dayton, OH
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($817 - $933), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $163/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Ohio?
Although a local license is not required in Ohio, 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 is the best time of year to move from Portland, OR to Dayton, OH?
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.
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.
Is Dayton a safe place to live?
Dayton has a safety index of 40.68 out of 100 and a crime index of 4.0, 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 percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.