($1,801+) Portland, ME to Oakland, CA Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Oakland, CA, runs anywhere from $1,663 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $15,476 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 3,187 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 $15,476 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,207 - $8,051, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,663 - $5,012.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Oakland, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,975 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Portland, ME to Oakland, CA
Moving options from Portland to Oakland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $4,975 - $10,090 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 3,187-mile route typically takes 7 to 21 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 3,187-mile route from Portland to Oakland, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $3,234 - $8,040 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($2,207 - $4,061), rental truck ($1,663 - $3,294), or freight trailer ($1,815 - $3,654). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $4,975 - $10,090 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $15,476.
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 Oakland, CA
Full-service movers for the 3,187-mile relocation from Portland, Maine, to Oakland, California, cost between $3,234 and $15,476. 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 $437 - $2,912, 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 Oakland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $3,234 - $8,040
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,975 - $10,090
- 4+ bedrooms: $10,029 - $15,476
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 Oakland.
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: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Portland, ME to Oakland, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 78% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Oakland, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $728 - $7,280 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready78% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $291 - $1,747/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $437 - $3,494 |
| 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 | $1,456 - $4,368 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,640 - $14,560 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,091 - $2,072 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $1,456 - $3,640 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $1,165 - $5,096 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling89% of local movers | $437 - $2,184 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect78% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $946 - $2,912 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $437 - $21,840+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $437 - $5,096+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Oakland?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Portland, ME. 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, ME to Oakland, CA
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Oakland, California, cost between $2,207 and $8,051. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Portland runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Oakland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,207 - $4,061
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,892 - $5,947
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,768 - $8,051
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 $1,019 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 $109 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $218 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 Oakland, CA, destination before booking.
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 $2,207. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,892 - $5,947, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Oakland?
- 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 Oakland, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 3,187-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Oakland, California, costs between $1,663 and $5,012, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,476 - $1,687
- Daily insurance: $44/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- 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 Oakland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,663 - $3,294
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,913 - $4,201
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,300 - $5,012
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,663 - $5,012 does not include fuel ($1,476 - $1,687) , lodging ($218/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Portland to Oakland typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,476 - $1,687 for the 3,187-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 Portland, Maine, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,019.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 3,187-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $218 per night, adding $437 - $655 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $73 and $437.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Oakland?
- 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 Oakland, 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 Oakland, 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 $2,248 and $4,480.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Oakland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,815 - $3,654
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,248 - $4,480
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,106 - $6,378
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $109 - $218 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Portland, Maine, typically costs $1,019.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Oakland?
- 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 Oakland 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 Oakland, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Oakland, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 196 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $2,200/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $925,411 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $97,369/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 4.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 75/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 31.38/100 |
| 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 Oakland, CA to Portland, ME guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maine to California 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 15 movers based in Maine, handy for sizing up options on this 3,187-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Portland, ME, to Oakland, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $3,234 for a studio to $15,476 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 3,187-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,207 - $8,051. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,663 - $5,012, 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 $4,975 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 Kaiser Permanente and Dreyer's.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Oakland, CA
What are the best neighborhoods in Oakland?
For families, Fairview Park, Rockridge, and Bushrod are worth a look in Oakland. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Grand Lake, and Piedmont Avenue tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Portland, ME to Oakland, 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 $1,913 - $4,201. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Oakland a safe place to live?
Oakland has a safety index of 31.38 out of 100 and a crime index of 68.62, 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 3 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 Oakland, CA?
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 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.