($1,568+) Irvine, CA to Portland, ME Movers
The cost to move from Irvine, CA to Portland, ME ranges from $1,395 to $13,079, with an average cost of $5,000. Moves can be as low as $1,568 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 3,081 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Irvine, CA to Portland, ME
Moving options from Irvine to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,395 - $13,079 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $5,000, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 61% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 3,081 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 3,081-mile route from Irvine to Portland, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,395 - $6,338 with full-service movers, $1,902 - $3,869 with a container, $1,650 - $3,233 with a rental truck, or $1,802 - $3,446 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $4,459 - $8,270 full-service, $2,572 - $5,500 by container, $1,751 - $3,774 by rental truck, or $2,120 - $4,530 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $7,591 - $13,079 full-service, $3,446 - $7,296 by container, $2,192 - $4,496 by rental truck, or $3,015 - $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 Irvine, CA to Portland, ME
Full-service movers for the 3,081-mile relocation from Irvine, California, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,395 and $13,079. 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 $431 - $2,876, 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 Irvine typically charge a base rate around $197 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Irvine to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,395 - $6,338
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,459 - $8,270
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,591 - $13,079
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 Irvine to Portland.
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 Irvine, CA to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Irvine movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Portland, 50% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing77% of local movers | $719 - $7,190 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $288 - $1,726/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $431 - $3,451 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,438 - $4,314 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,595 - $14,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,077 - $2,046 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,438 - $3,595 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,150 - $5,033 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $431 - $2,157 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $935 - $2,876 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $431 - $21,570+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $431 - $5,033+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Irvine to Portland?
Movers licensed to operate in Maine are typically members of the Maine Motor Transport 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Irvine, CA. 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 Irvine, CA to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Irvine, California, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,902 and $7,296. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Irvine typically runs around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Irvine to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,902 - $3,869
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,572 - $5,500
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,446 - $7,296
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 Irvine, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,007, 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 $108 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $216 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Irvine, CA, and Portland, ME, 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 California to Maine 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 $1,902. 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 $2,572 - $5,500.
What are the best moving containers Irvine to Portland?
- 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 Irvine 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 Irvine:
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Maison Moving (4.6/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Irvine, CA to Portland, ME
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 3,081 miles from Irvine, California, to Portland, Maine, running $1,650 - $4,496. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,410 - $1,611
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Irvine daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Irvine to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,650 - $3,233
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,751 - $3,774
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,192 - $4,496
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,650 - $4,496 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Irvine to Portland. Fuel ($1,410 - $1,611), lodging at around $216/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 $216 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 $93 and $467 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,410 - $1,611 in fuel for the 3,081-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,007 in Irvine, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Irvine to Portland?
- 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 Irvine, CA to Portland, ME
If you're moving a larger household from Irvine, California, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Portland, Maine.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $2,120 and $4,530.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,802 - $3,446
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,120 - $4,530
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,015 - $5,956
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 $108 - $216 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Irvine, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,007.
What are the best freight companies from Irvine to Portland?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Portland 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: Irvine, CA vs Portland, ME
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Portland, side by side with Irvine on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Irvine, CA | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 112 |
| Average rent | $4,000/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $1,113,305 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $129,647/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 68.99/100 | 67.84/100 |
| 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 Portland, ME to Irvine, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Maine, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 1,154 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 3,081-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Irvine, CA, to Portland, ME, 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 $1,395 - $13,079 on the 3,081-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,902 - $7,296 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,650 - $4,496 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $4,459 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 TD Banknorth Inc and Maine Medical Center.
FAQs: Moving from Irvine, CA, to Portland, ME
Is Portland a safe place to live?
Portland has a safety index of 67.84 out of 100 and a crime index of 32.16, compared to 68.99 and 31.01 in Irvine. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Portland?
Portland has a walkability score of 62 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 68, compared to 43 and 69 in Irvine. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Portland?
For families, Deering Center, East End, and Rosemont are worth a look in Portland. If you're moving solo or without kids, East End, West End, and West Bayside tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Maine?
Although a local license is not required in Maine, 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 do local movers charge in Irvine?
Local movers based in Irvine typically start around $197 as a base rate, plus $75/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 Portland run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Irvine movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Irvine handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.