($657+) Portland, ME to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $657 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,191 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,081 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,344, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,191 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,158 - $4,208, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $657 - $1,977.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,971 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Portland, ME to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Portland to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,971 - $6,585 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 47% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 76% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,081 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,081-mile route from Portland to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,344 - $5,491 | $1,158 - $2,140 | $657 - $1,247 | $1,032 - $1,965 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,971 - $6,585 | $1,583 - $3,039 | $710 - $1,531 | $1,205 - $2,480 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,698 - $9,191 | $1,953 - $4,208 | $900 - $1,977 | $1,578 - $3,047 |
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 Portland, ME to Chicago, IL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,081-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $2,344 - $9,191. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $329 - $2,192 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Portland and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Portland movers tend to run around $382 as a base rate plus $135/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,344 - $5,491
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,971 - $6,585
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,698 - $9,191
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 Portland to Chicago.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Portland, ME to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing84% of local movers | $548 - $5,480 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $219 - $1,315/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $329 - $2,630 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,096 - $3,288 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,740 - $10,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $821 - $1,560 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Tiny Tim's Moving | $1,096 - $2,740 |
| Piano | Any piano type44% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $877 - $3,836 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $329 - $1,644 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $712 - $2,192 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $329 - $16,440+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $329 - $3,836+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Chicago?
All three below meet the standards set by the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Illinois movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Portland, ME. 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 Portland, ME to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,158 and $4,208. 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 Portland typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,158 - $2,140
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,583 - $3,039
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,953 - $4,208
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $82 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $164 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 $767 in Portland, ME, 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 Chicago, IL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to Illinois 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 $1,158. 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 $1,583 - $3,039.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Chicago?
- 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 Portland 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 Portland:
- Tiny Tim's Moving (4.3/5), 33 years in business
- Midwest Moving Company (4.8/5), 0 years in business
- SC Moving Services (5.0/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 1,081-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $657 and $1,977. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $377 - $431
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Portland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Portland to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $657 - $1,247
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $710 - $1,531
- 4+ bedrooms: $900 - $1,977
Pro tip: The base rate of $657 - $1,977 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Portland to Chicago. Fuel ($377 - $431), lodging at around $164/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $82 and $384.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $164.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $377 and $431 for the 1,081-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 $767 for 2 movers in Portland, Maine, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Chicago?
- 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 Portland, ME to Chicago, IL
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 Portland, Maine, to Chicago, Illinois. 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 $1,205 and $2,480.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,032 - $1,965
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,205 - $2,480
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,578 - $3,047
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 Portland, Maine, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $767.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $82 and $164 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Chicago?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Portland to Chicago, 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: Portland, ME vs Chicago, IL
Day-to-day costs in Chicago are close to what you're used to in Portland: cost of living index of 106 versus 112, with average rent of $2,045/mo compared to $1,991/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 62/100 and 67.84/100 in Portland versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Portland, ME guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Maine to Illinois, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 46 movers in Maine, so you have real options to compare for this 1,081-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,081-mile route from Portland, ME, to Chicago, IL, run $2,344 - $9,191 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,158 - $4,208, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $657 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,971, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Chicago tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though high crime rate and temperamental weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include U.S. Government and Chicago Public Schools.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Chicago, IL
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($377 - $431), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $164/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?
In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current.
What is the best time of year to move from Portland, ME to Chicago, IL?
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 Chicago a safe place to live?
Chicago has a safety index of 33.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 35.19, compared to 67.84 and 32.16 in Portland. 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 Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 44% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.