($1,670+) Oakland, CA to Portland, ME Movers
The cost to move from Oakland, CA to Portland, ME ranges from $1,411 to $13,638, with an average cost of $4,950. Moves can be as low as $1,670 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 3,191 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.
Compare moving options from Oakland, CA to Portland, ME
Moving options from Oakland to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,411 - $13,638 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,950, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 57% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 3,191 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 3,191-mile route from Oakland to Portland, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,411 - $6,872 | $1,986 - $3,759 | $1,686 - $3,272 | $1,824 - $3,699 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,384 - $8,456 | $2,524 - $5,401 | $1,880 - $3,858 | $2,082 - $4,276 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,006 - $13,638 | $3,706 - $7,384 | $2,196 - $4,597 | $2,906 - $5,968 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Oakland, CA to Portland, ME
For the 3,191-mile move from Oakland, California, to Portland, Maine, full-service movers cost between $1,411 and $13,638. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $487 - $3,248 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Oakland generally start around $281 plus $147 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Oakland to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,411 - $6,872
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,384 - $8,456
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,006 - $13,638
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 Oakland to Portland.
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 Oakland, CA to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market: 53% of Oakland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Portland, 53% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $812 - $8,120 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready53% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $325 - $1,949/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $487 - $3,898 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $1,624 - $4,872 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,060 - $16,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,216 - $2,311 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,624 - $4,060 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,299 - $5,684 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $487 - $2,436 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationally | $1,056 - $3,248 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $487 - $24,360+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $487 - $5,684+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Oakland to Portland?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Maine Motor Transport 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Oakland, CA. 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 Oakland, CA to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Oakland, California, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,986 and $7,384. 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 Portland. If you go over that window, storage in Oakland adds around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Oakland to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,986 - $3,759
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,524 - $5,401
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,706 - $7,384
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $122 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $244 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 $1,137 in Oakland, CA, 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 Portland, ME, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,986. 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 $2,524 - $5,401.
What are the best moving containers Oakland 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 Oakland 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 Oakland:
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Oakland, CA to Portland, ME
A rental truck for this 3,191-mile move from Oakland, California, to Portland, Maine, costs between $1,686 and $4,597. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,649 - $1,884
- Daily insurance: $49/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Oakland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.39
| 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 Oakland to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,686 - $3,272
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,880 - $3,858
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,196 - $4,597
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,686 - $4,597 when pricing out a rental truck from Oakland to Portland. Fuel alone runs $1,649 - $1,884, and overnight lodging ($244/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,649 - $1,884 for the 3,191-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 Oakland, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,137.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 3,191-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $244 per night, adding $487 - $731 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $81 and $487.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Oakland 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 Oakland, CA to Portland, ME
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 Oakland, California, to Portland, Maine. 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 $2,082 and $4,276.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Oakland to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,824 - $3,699
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,082 - $4,276
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,906 - $5,968
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?
- 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 Oakland, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,137.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $122 and $244 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Oakland to Portland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
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: Oakland, 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 Oakland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Oakland, CA | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 196 | 112 |
| Average rent | $2,200/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $925,411 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $97,369/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 75/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 31.38/100 | 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 Oakland, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Maine over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 1,126 movers in our California network to compare for this 3,191-mile move.
Our take
The 3,191-mile move from Oakland, CA, to Portland, ME, costs between $1,411 and $13,638 with full-service movers, $1,986 - $7,384 with a moving container, and $1,686 - $4,597 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $4,384 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include TD Banknorth Inc and Maine Medical Center.
FAQs: Moving from Oakland, CA, to Portland, ME
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,649 - $1,884), daily insurance ($49/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $32) on top. Overnight stops can add another $244/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Oakland, CA to Portland, ME?
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 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.
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 31.38 and 68.62 in Oakland. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Oakland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Oakland handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.