($475+) San Francisco, CA to Portland, OR Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Portland, OR ranges from $1,195 to $7,801, with an average cost of $2,750. Moves can be as low as $475 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 634 miles and usually takes 1 to 6 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 Francisco, CA to Portland, OR
Moving options from San Francisco to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,195 - $7,801 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,750, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 45% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 78% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 634 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 634-mile route from San Francisco to Portland, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,195 - $3,896, container $960 - $1,861, rental truck $489 - $853, freight trailer $864 - $1,578.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,204 - $5,194, container $1,207 - $2,601, rental truck $482 - $992, freight trailer $1,037 - $1,961.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,819 - $7,801, container $1,714 - $3,302, rental truck $665 - $1,237, freight trailer $1,426 - $2,590.
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 San Francisco, CA to Portland, OR
For the 634-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Portland, Oregon, full-service movers cost between $1,195 and $7,801. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $595 - $3,964 (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 San Francisco generally start around $284 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,195 - $3,896
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,204 - $5,194
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,819 - $7,801
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 Francisco to Portland.
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 Francisco, CA to Portland, OR
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Portland, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $991 - $9,910 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $396 - $2,378/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $595 - $4,757 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $1,982 - $5,946 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,955 - $19,820 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,485 - $2,820 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $1,982 - $4,955 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Got2Move | $1,586 - $6,937 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $595 - $2,973 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $1,288 - $3,964 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $595 - $29,730+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $595 - $6,937+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Portland?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Oregon 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA to Portland, OR
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Portland, Oregon, cost between $960 and $3,302. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in San Francisco costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $960 - $1,861
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,207 - $2,601
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,714 - $3,302
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 San Francisco, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,387, 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 $149 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $297 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Francisco, CA, and Portland, OR, 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 Oregon 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 $960. 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 $1,207 - $2,601.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco 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 Francisco 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 Francisco:
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Portland, OR
Truck rentals from San Francisco, California, to Portland, Oregon, range from $489 - $1,237 for the 634-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $400 - $457
- Daily insurance: $59/day
- Equipment rentals: $14 - $40
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| 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 Francisco to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $489 - $853
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $482 - $992
- 4+ bedrooms: $665 - $1,237
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Francisco to Portland starts at $489 - $1,237, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($400 - $457), overnight lodging ($297/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
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 $149 and $694.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $297.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $400 and $457 for the 634-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 $1,387 for 2 movers in San Francisco, 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 Francisco 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 Francisco, CA to Portland, OR
If you're moving a larger household from San Francisco, 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, Oregon.
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 $1,037 and $1,961.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $864 - $1,578
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,037 - $1,961
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,426 - $2,590
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 $149 - $297 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,387.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Portland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Francisco to Portland. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: San Francisco, CA vs Portland, OR
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 Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Portland, OR |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 128 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,530/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $556,420 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $88,792/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 6.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 9.9% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 81/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 42.63/100 |
| 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, OR to San Francisco, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Oregon 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 1,154 movers in our California network to compare for this 634-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Francisco, CA, to Portland, OR, 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 $1,195 - $7,801 on the 634-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $960 - $3,302 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $489 - $1,237 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,204 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 KinderCare Learning Centers and Daimler Trucks North America.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Portland, OR
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($400 - $457), daily insurance ($59/day), and equipment rentals ($14 - $40) on top. Overnight stops can add another $297/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Oregon?
Moving companies headquartered in Oregon must possess an up-to-date USDOT Number as well as a license issued by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
What is the best time of year to move from San Francisco, CA to Portland, OR?
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 42.63 out of 100 and a crime index of 57.37, compared to 38.59 and 61.41 in San Francisco. 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 San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.