($417+) Portland, ME to Washington DC, MD Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Portland, ME to Washington DC, MD

Moving from Portland, ME, to Washington DC, MD, runs anywhere from $417 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,959 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 538 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,402, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,959 or more.
  • Moving containers run $976 - $3,088, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $417 - $1,142.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Washington DC, MD. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,261 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Portland, ME to Washington DC, MD

Moving options from Portland to Washington DC fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,261 - $6,046 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 48% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 81% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 538 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 538-mile route from Portland to Washington DC, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,402 - $4,125 $976 - $1,616 $417 - $799 $896 - $1,548
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,261 - $6,046 $1,178 - $2,280 $437 - $947 $923 - $1,806
4+ bedrooms $4,046 - $8,959 $1,585 - $3,088 $578 - $1,142 $1,359 - $2,518

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight trailer
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Portland, ME to Washington DC, MD

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 538-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Washington DC, Maryland, with prices running from $1,402 - $8,959. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $383 - $2,552 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Portland and Washington DC 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 Washington DC:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,402 - $4,125
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,261 - $6,046
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,046 - $8,959

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 Washington DC.

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 Portland, ME to Washington DC, MD

Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Washington DC, 70% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing84% of local movers$638 - $6,380
Storage in transitNew place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine$255 - $1,531/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$383 - $3,062
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers$1,276 - $3,828
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,190 - $12,760
Car shippingSecond vehicle$956 - $1,816
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Tiny Tim's Moving$1,276 - $3,190
PianoAny piano type44% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine$1,021 - $4,466
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers$383 - $1,914
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine$829 - $2,552
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$383 - $19,140+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$383 - $4,466+

What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Washington DC?

Look for Maryland Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Maryland beyond this list.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Portland, ME. 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 Portland, ME to Washington DC, MD

Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Washington DC, Maryland, cost between $976 and $3,088. 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 Washington DC:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $976 - $1,616
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,178 - $2,280
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,585 - $3,088

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 Portland, ME, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $893, 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 $96 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $191 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Portland, ME, and Washington DC, MD, 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 Maine to Maryland 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 $976. 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 $1,178 - $2,280.

What are the best moving containers Portland to Washington DC?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Washington DC, MD

Renting a moving truck for the 538-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Washington DC, Maryland, costs between $417 and $1,142, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $218 - $250
  • Daily insurance: $38/day
  • Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
  • Portland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Portland to Washington DC based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $417 - $799
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $437 - $947
  • 4+ bedrooms: $578 - $1,142

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $417 - $1,142 when pricing out a rental truck from Portland to Washington DC. Fuel alone runs $218 - $250, and overnight lodging ($191/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?

  • Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $96 and $447.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $191.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $218 and $250 for the 538-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 $893 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 Washington DC?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Washington DC, MD

If you're moving a larger household from Portland, Maine, 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 Washington DC, Maryland.

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 $923 and $1,806.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Washington DC:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $896 - $1,548
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $923 - $1,806
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,359 - $2,518

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $96 and $191.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Portland, Maine, for roughly five hours typically average $893.

What are the best freight companies from Portland to Washington DC?

  1. 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.
  2. 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 are a great option when you need your belongings in Washington DC 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: Portland, ME vs Washington DC, MD

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Washington DC, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Portland, ME Washington DC, MD
Cost of living index112151
Average rent$1,991/mo$2,400/mo
Median home value$452,202$594,337
Average income$76,174/yr$101,027/yr
Unemployment rate5.2%7.0%
State income taxUp to 5.8%Up to 5.75%
Walkability score62/10077/100
Safety index67.84/10039.63/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Washington DC, MD to Portland, ME guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Maine to Maryland, 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 538-mile move.

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Our take

The 538-mile move from Portland, ME, to Washington DC, MD, costs between $1,402 and $8,959 with full-service movers, $976 - $3,088 with a moving container, and $417 - $1,142 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 $2,261 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 Department of Homeland Security and US Navy.

FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Washington DC, MD

How walkable is Washington DC?

Washington DC has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 70, compared to 62 and 68 in Portland. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($218 - $250), daily insurance ($38/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $26) on top. Overnight stops can add another $191/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Maryland?

Although a local license is not required in Maryland, 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 Portland, ME to Washington DC, MD?

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.

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.