($1,715+) Portland, ME to Irvine, CA Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $1,715 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $15,640 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 3,084 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $3,020, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $15,640 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,922 - $7,222, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,715 - $4,635.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Irvine, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,596 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, ME to Irvine, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland to Irvine: 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 $4,596 - $9,997. Moving containers run about 46% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 61% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 3,084-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 3,084-mile route from Portland to Irvine, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $3,020 - $7,583 with full-service movers, $1,922 - $3,869 with a container, $1,715 - $3,106 with a rental truck, or $1,820 - $3,481 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $4,596 - $9,997 full-service, $2,494 - $5,609 by container, $1,804 - $3,887 by rental truck, or $2,037 - $4,443 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $8,738 - $15,640 full-service, $3,733 - $7,222 by container, $2,147 - $4,635 by rental truck, or $2,757 - $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 Portland, ME to Irvine, CA
Full-service movers for the 3,084-mile relocation from Portland, Maine, to Irvine, California, cost between $3,020 and $15,640. 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 $400 - $2,664, 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 $382 plus $135 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $3,020 - $7,583
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,596 - $9,997
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,738 - $15,640
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 Irvine.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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, ME to Irvine, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Irvine, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing84% of local movers | $666 - $6,660 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $266 - $1,598/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $400 - $3,197 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,332 - $3,996 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,330 - $13,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $998 - $1,895 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Tiny Tim's Moving | $1,332 - $3,330 |
| Piano | Any piano type44% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $1,066 - $4,662 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $400 - $1,998 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $866 - $2,664 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $400 - $19,980+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $400 - $4,662+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Irvine?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Portland, ME. 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, ME to Irvine, CA
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Irvine, California, cost between $1,922 and $7,222. 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 Portland costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,922 - $3,869
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,494 - $5,609
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,733 - $7,222
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $100 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $200 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $932 in Portland, ME, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Irvine, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to California 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 $1,922. 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 $2,494 - $5,609.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Irvine?
- 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:
- Tiny Tim's Moving (4.3/5), 33 years in business
- Midwest Moving Company (4.8/5), 0 years in business
- SC Moving Services (5.0/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to Irvine, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 3,084 miles from Portland, Maine, to Irvine, California, running $1,715 - $4,635. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,307 - $1,494
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Portland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Irvine based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,715 - $3,106
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,804 - $3,887
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,147 - $4,635
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,715 - $4,635 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Portland to Irvine. Fuel ($1,307 - $1,494), lodging at around $200/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $200 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 $87 and $433 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,307 - $1,494 in fuel for the 3,084-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $932 in Portland, Maine, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Irvine?
- 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, ME to Irvine, CA
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, Maine, to Irvine, California. 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 $2,037 and $4,443.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,820 - $3,481
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,037 - $4,443
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,757 - $5,897
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 $100 - $200 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Portland, Maine, for about five hours typically runs $932.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Irvine?
- 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Portland to Irvine. 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: Portland, ME vs Irvine, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Irvine, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 165 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $4,000/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $1,113,305 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $129,647/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 68.99/100 |
| 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 Irvine, CA to Portland, ME guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maine to California, 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. Maine alone has 46 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 3,084-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Portland, ME, to Irvine, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $3,020 for a studio to $15,640 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 3,084-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,922 - $7,222. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,715 - $4,635, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $4,596 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and Taco Bell.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Irvine, CA
How long does a move from Portland, ME to Irvine, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Irvine?
For families, Westpark II, Turtle Rock, and Woodbridge are worth a look in Irvine. If you're moving solo or without kids, Westpark, Westpark II, and Oak Creek tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Portland, ME to Irvine, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,804 - $3,887. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Irvine a safe place to live?
Irvine has a safety index of 68.99 out of 100 and a crime index of 31.01, compared to 67.84 and 32.16 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 percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 44% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.