($1,653+) San Diego, CA to Portland, ME Movers
The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Portland, ME ranges from $1,483 to $13,771, with an average cost of $5,050. Moves can be as low as $1,653 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 3,098 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 San Diego, CA to Portland, ME
Moving options from San Diego to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,483 - $13,771 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $5,050, 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 3,098 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 3,098-mile route from San Diego to Portland, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,483 - $6,414, container $2,087 - $4,111, rental truck $1,604 - $3,080, freight trailer $1,915 - $3,629.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $4,126 - $8,715, container $2,524 - $5,346, rental truck $1,880 - $4,010, freight trailer $2,187 - $4,496.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $8,086 - $13,771, container $3,815 - $7,912, rental truck $2,196 - $4,737, freight trailer $2,790 - $5,847.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 6, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Diego, CA to Portland, ME
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 3,098-mile move from San Diego, California, to Portland, Maine, with costs ranging from $1,483 - $13,771. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $413 - $2,756. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Diego and Portland. Local movers in San Diego typically start around $226 as a base rate plus $200/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Diego to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,483 - $6,414
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,126 - $8,715
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,086 - $13,771
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 San Diego 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 San Diego, CA to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of San Diego 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 | $689 - $6,890 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 24/7 Moving and Storage | $276 - $1,654/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $413 - $3,307 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage53% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers | $1,378 - $4,134 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,445 - $13,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,032 - $1,961 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items59% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: 24/7 Moving and Storage | $1,378 - $3,445 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 24/7 Moving and Storage | $1,102 - $4,823 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling47% of local movers | $413 - $2,067 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect41% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: 24/7 Moving and Storage | $896 - $2,756 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $413 - $20,670+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $413 - $4,823+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Diego to Portland?
Maine Motor Transport Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Maine, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in San Diego, CA. 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 San Diego, CA to Portland, ME
Moving containers from San Diego, California, to Portland, Maine, cost between $2,087 and $7,912. 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 San Diego typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Diego to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,087 - $4,111
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,524 - $5,346
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,815 - $7,912
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $103 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $207 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 $965 in San Diego, 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 $2,087. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,524 - $5,346, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego:
- 24/7 Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 14 years in business
- Aloha Movers (4.8/5), 14 years in business
- One Stop Moving & Storage (4.2/5), 17 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Diego, CA to Portland, ME
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 3,098 miles from San Diego, California, to Portland, Maine, running $1,604 - $4,737. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,358 - $1,552
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- San Diego 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 San Diego to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,604 - $3,080
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,880 - $4,010
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,196 - $4,737
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,604 - $4,737 does not include fuel ($1,358 - $1,552) , lodging ($207/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Diego to Portland typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $103 and $482.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $207.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,358 and $1,552 for the 3,098-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $965 for 2 movers in San Diego, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Diego 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 San Diego, CA to Portland, ME
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from San Diego, California, to Portland, Maine, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $2,187 and $4,496.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Diego to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,915 - $3,629
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,187 - $4,496
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,790 - $5,847
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In San Diego, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $965.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $103 - $207 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 San Diego to Portland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Sysco San Diego, Inc. (4.38/5 stars): Sysco San Diego, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: San Diego, 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 San Diego on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Diego, CA | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 155 | 112 |
| Average rent | $2,881/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $847,715 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $104,321/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 53/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 60.17/100 | 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 San Diego, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Maine, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 377 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 3,098-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Diego, 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 $1,483 - $13,771 on the 3,098-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,087 - $7,912 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,604 - $4,737 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $4,126 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 San Diego, CA, to Portland, ME
How much does it cost to move from San Diego, CA to Portland, ME?
Costs on this route range from around $1,483 to $13,771, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,483 and $13,771, 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 is the cheapest way to move from San Diego, 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 $1,880 - $4,010. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,358 - $1,552), daily insurance ($41/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $207/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from San Diego, CA to Portland, ME take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from San Diego, 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 percentage of San Diego movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in San Diego handle piano moves, and 59% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.