($1,601+) Portland, ME to Tacoma, WA Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Tacoma, WA, runs anywhere from $1,601 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 3,166 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 $3,050, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $15,640 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,002 - $7,222, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,601 - $4,496.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Tacoma, WA. 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 Tacoma, WA
Moving options from Portland to Tacoma fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $4,596 - $9,709 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 41% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 61% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 3,166 miles, this route usually takes 7 to 21 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 3,166-mile route from Portland to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $3,050 - $7,510 with full-service movers, $2,002 - $4,062 with a container, $1,601 - $3,043 with a rental truck, or $1,748 - $3,655 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $4,596 - $9,709 full-service, $2,728 - $5,555 by container, $1,804 - $3,812 by rental truck, or $2,182 - $4,269 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $9,009 - $15,640 full-service, $3,626 - $7,222 by container, $2,147 - $4,496 by rental truck, or $2,757 - $5,956 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 Tacoma, WA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 3,166-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Tacoma, Washington, with prices running from $3,050 - $15,640. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $349 - $2,328 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Portland and Tacoma are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Portland movers tend to run around $382 as a base rate plus $135/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $3,050 - $7,510
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,596 - $9,709
- 4+ bedrooms: $9,009 - $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 Tacoma.
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, ME to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tacoma, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing84% of local movers | $582 - $5,820 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $233 - $1,397/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $349 - $2,794 |
| 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 | $1,164 - $3,492 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,910 - $11,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $872 - $1,656 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Tiny Tim's Moving | $1,164 - $2,910 |
| Piano | Any piano type44% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $931 - $4,074 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $349 - $1,746 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $757 - $2,328 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $349 - $17,460+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $349 - $4,074+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Tacoma?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Washington Movers Conference 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Portland, ME. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Portland, ME to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $2,002 and $7,222. 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 Tacoma. 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 Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,002 - $4,062
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,728 - $5,555
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,626 - $7,222
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $815 in Portland, ME. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $87 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $175 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Tacoma, WA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to Washington 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 $2,002. 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 - $5,555.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Tacoma?
- 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 Tacoma, WA
A rental truck for this 3,166-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Tacoma, Washington, costs between $1,601 and $4,496. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,173 - $1,340
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- 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 Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,601 - $3,043
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,804 - $3,812
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,147 - $4,496
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,601 - $4,496 when pricing out a rental truck from Portland to Tacoma. Fuel alone runs $1,173 - $1,340, and overnight lodging ($175/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Portland, Maine, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $815.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,173 - $1,340 for the 3,166-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $70 and $378, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $175 per night for hotel stops on the 3,166-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $349 - $524.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Tacoma?
- 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 Tacoma, WA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Portland, Maine, to Tacoma, Washington, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $2,182 and $4,269.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,748 - $3,655
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,182 - $4,269
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,757 - $5,956
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?
- 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, Maine, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $815.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $87 and $175 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Tacoma?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Portland to Tacoma, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Portland, ME vs Tacoma, WA
Day-to-day costs in Tacoma are close to what you're used to in Portland: cost of living index of 123 versus 112, with average rent of $1,650/mo compared to $1,991/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 62/100 and 67.84/100 in Portland versus 54/100 and 44.45/100 in Tacoma.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tacoma, WA to Portland, ME guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maine to Washington in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 46 movers based in Maine, handy for sizing up options on this 3,166-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 3,166-mile route from Portland, ME, to Tacoma, WA, run $3,050 - $15,640 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $2,002 - $7,222, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,601 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,596, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Tacoma, WA
Is Tacoma a safe place to live?
Tacoma has a safety index of 44.45 out of 100 and a crime index of 55.55, 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 is the best time of year to move from Portland, ME to Tacoma, WA?
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 Washington?
Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,173 - $1,340), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $175/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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.