($1,766+) Sacramento, CA to Portland, ME Movers
The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to Portland, ME ranges from $1,479 to $14,287, with an average cost of $5,450. Moves can be as low as $1,766 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 3,111 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 Sacramento, CA to Portland, ME
Moving options from Sacramento to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,479 - $14,287 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $5,450, and movers handle 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 particular route covers 3,111 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 3,111-mile route from Sacramento to Portland, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,479 - $6,857 | $2,059 - $4,307 | $1,766 - $3,327 | $1,891 - $3,691 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,682 - $9,492 | $2,865 - $6,062 | $1,782 - $3,921 | $2,181 - $4,711 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,133 - $14,287 | $3,616 - $7,657 | $2,443 - $5,160 | $3,136 - $6,504 |
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 Sacramento, CA to Portland, ME
For the 3,111-mile move from Sacramento, California, to Portland, Maine, full-service movers cost between $1,479 and $14,287. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $363 - $2,420 (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 Sacramento generally start around $287 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sacramento to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,479 - $6,857
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,682 - $9,492
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,133 - $14,287
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 Sacramento to Portland.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Maine. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Sacramento, CA to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Sacramento movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Portland, 78% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $605 - $6,050 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $242 - $1,452/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $363 - $2,904 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers | $1,210 - $3,630 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,025 - $12,100 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $906 - $1,722 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. | $1,210 - $3,025 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $968 - $4,235 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling48% of local movers | $363 - $1,815 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: A Better Moving | $787 - $2,420 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $363 - $18,150+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $363 - $4,235+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Sacramento, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Sacramento, CA to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to Portland, Maine, cost between $2,059 and $7,657. 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 Sacramento adds around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,059 - $4,307
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,865 - $6,062
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,616 - $7,657
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $91 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $182 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 $847 in Sacramento, 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 $2,059. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,865 - $6,062, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento:
- Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
- Double Move (4.9/5), 3 years in business
- Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to Portland, ME
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 3,111 miles from Sacramento, California, to Portland, Maine, running $1,766 - $5,160. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,198 - $1,369
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $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 Sacramento to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,766 - $3,327
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,782 - $3,921
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,443 - $5,160
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Sacramento to Portland starts at $1,766 - $5,160, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,198 - $1,369) , overnight lodging ($182/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 $182 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 $79 and $393 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,198 - $1,369 in fuel for the 3,111-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $847 in Sacramento, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento 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 Sacramento, CA to Portland, ME
If you're moving a larger household from Sacramento, 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. Most moves on this route fall between $2,181 and $4,711.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,891 - $3,691
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,181 - $4,711
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,136 - $6,504
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Sacramento, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $847.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $91 - $182 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Sacramento 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.
- Button Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Button Transportation, Inc. 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: If speed matters on your move from Sacramento to Portland, 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: Sacramento, 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 Sacramento on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Sacramento, CA | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 127 | 112 |
| Average rent | $1,899/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $483,739 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $83,753/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 49/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 50.79/100 | 67.84/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Sacramento, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Maine 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 374 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 3,111-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Sacramento, 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 $1,479 - $14,287 on the 3,111-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,059 - $7,657 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,766 - $5,160 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $4,682 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 Sacramento, CA, to Portland, ME
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 Sacramento, 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 3 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 50.79 and 49.21 in Sacramento. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Sacramento, CA to Portland, ME?
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 $1,782 - $3,921. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 88% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.