($1,680+) Portland, ME to Sacramento, CA Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Sacramento, CA, runs anywhere from $1,680 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $15,161 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 3,106 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 $3,234, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $15,161 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,038 - $8,130, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,680 - $5,061.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Sacramento, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $5,076 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 Sacramento, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland to Sacramento: 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 $5,076 - $9,886. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 3,106-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 3,106-mile route from Portland to Sacramento, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $3,234 for a studio up to $15,161 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $2,038 - $8,130 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,680 - $5,061, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,891 - $6,189, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Portland, ME to Sacramento, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 3,106-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Sacramento, California, with prices running from $3,234 - $15,161. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $354 - $2,360 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Portland and Sacramento 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 Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $3,234 - $8,117
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $5,076 - $9,886
- 4+ bedrooms: $9,647 - $15,161
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 Sacramento.
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: 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 Sacramento, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 78% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Sacramento, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $590 - $5,900 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready78% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $236 - $1,416/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $354 - $2,832 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $1,180 - $3,540 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,950 - $11,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $884 - $1,679 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $1,180 - $2,950 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $944 - $4,130 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling89% of local movers | $354 - $1,770 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect78% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $767 - $2,360 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $354 - $17,700+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $354 - $4,130+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Sacramento?
Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Portland, ME. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Portland, ME to Sacramento, CA
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Sacramento, California, cost between $2,038 and $8,130. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Portland typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,038 - $4,266
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,782 - $5,774
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,844 - $8,130
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $89 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $177 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Sacramento, CA, 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 $826 in Portland, ME. 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 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 $2,038. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,782 - $5,774, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Sacramento?
- 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:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- Tiny Tim's Moving (4.3/5), 33 years in business
- Integrity Movers, 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to Sacramento, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 3,106 miles from Portland, Maine, to Sacramento, California, running $1,680 - $5,061. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,166 - $1,333
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- 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 Sacramento based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,680 - $3,327
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,875 - $4,201
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,419 - $5,061
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Portland to Sacramento starts at $1,680 - $5,061, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,166 - $1,333) , overnight lodging ($177/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $177 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 $77 and $384 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,166 - $1,333 in fuel for the 3,106-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $826 in Portland, Maine, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Sacramento?
- 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 Sacramento, CA
For larger DIY moves from Portland, Maine, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Sacramento, California.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $2,181 and $4,387.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,891 - $3,801
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,181 - $4,387
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,045 - $6,189
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?
- 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 $89 and $177.
- 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 Portland, Maine, for roughly five hours typically average $826.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Sacramento?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Dubois Livestock (3.96/5 stars): Dubois Livestock is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Sacramento quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Portland, ME vs Sacramento, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Sacramento, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 127 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $1,899/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $483,739 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $83,753/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 7.7% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 49/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 50.79/100 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA to Portland, ME guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Maine to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 15 movers in Maine, so you have real options to compare for this 3,106-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Portland, ME, to Sacramento, CA, 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 $3,234 - $15,161 on the 3,106-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,038 - $8,130 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,680 - $5,061 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $5,076 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 Sutter Health and SynGen.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Sacramento, CA
How much does it cost to move from Portland, ME to Sacramento, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $3,234 to $15,161, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $3,234 and $15,161, 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 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.
What do local movers charge in Portland?
Local movers based in Portland typically start around $382 as a base rate, plus $135/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 Sacramento run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What are the best neighborhoods in Sacramento?
For families, Boulevard Park, River Park, and Land Park are worth a look in Sacramento. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Sacramento, East Sacramento, and Land Park tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 100% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 67% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
