($570+) Portland, ME to Ann Arbor, MI Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Ann Arbor, MI, runs anywhere from $570 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,658 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 847 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,045, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,658 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,034 - $3,605, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $570 - $1,549.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Ann Arbor, MI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,789 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 Ann Arbor, MI
Moving options from Portland to Ann Arbor fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,789 - $6,197 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 51% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 77% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 847-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 847-mile route from Portland to Ann Arbor, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,045 - $4,850 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,034 - $2,088), rental truck ($570 - $1,096), or freight trailer ($960 - $1,825). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,789 - $6,197 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,658.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Portland, ME to Ann Arbor, MI
Full-service movers for the 847-mile relocation from Portland, Maine, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, cost between $2,045 and $8,658. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $329 - $2,192, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Portland typically charge a base rate around $382 plus $135 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,045 - $4,850
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,789 - $6,197
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,320 - $8,658
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 Ann Arbor.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Portland, ME to Ann Arbor, MI
Specialty needs vary by market: 53% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Ann Arbor, 55% 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 ready53% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $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: Allen & Coles Moving Systems | $1,096 - $2,740 |
| Piano | Any piano type53% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $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 Ann Arbor?
Movers licensed to operate in Michigan are typically members of the Michigan Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 Portland, ME. 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 Portland, ME to Ann Arbor, MI
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, cost between $1,034 and $3,605. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Portland runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,034 - $2,088
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,371 - $2,621
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,860 - $3,605
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 Ann Arbor, MI, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to Michigan 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 $1,034. 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 $1,371 - $2,621.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Ann Arbor?
- 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 Ann Arbor, MI
Truck rentals from Portland, Maine, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, range from $570 - $1,549 for the 847-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $295 - $338
- 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 Ann Arbor based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $570 - $1,096
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $628 - $1,315
- 4+ bedrooms: $793 - $1,549
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $570 - $1,549 does not include fuel ($295 - $338), lodging ($164/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Portland to Ann Arbor typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $164 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Portland, Maine, usually costs about $767 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 847-mile drive falls between $295 and $338, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $55 and $329 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Ann Arbor?
- 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 Ann Arbor, MI
For larger DIY moves from Portland, Maine, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,130 and $2,185.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $960 - $1,825
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,130 - $2,185
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,474 - $2,768
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $82 - $164 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Portland, Maine, typically costs $767.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Ann Arbor?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Ann Arbor quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Portland, ME vs Ann Arbor, MI
Day-to-day costs in Ann Arbor are close to what you're used to in Portland: cost of living index of 106 versus 112, with average rent of $2,260/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 52/100 and 79.18/100 in Ann Arbor.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Ann Arbor, MI to Portland, ME guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maine to Michigan, 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. Maine alone has 25 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 847-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Portland, ME, to Ann Arbor, MI, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,045 - $8,658 on the 847-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,034 - $3,605, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $570 - $1,549. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,789 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include University of Michigan and NSK Americas, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Ann Arbor, MI
How walkable is Ann Arbor?
Ann Arbor has a walkability score of 52 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 71, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Ann Arbor?
For families, Burns Park, Eberwhite, and Water Hill are worth a look in Ann Arbor. If you're moving solo or without kids, Kerrytown, Lower Burns Park, and Old West Side tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Michigan?
The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts.
What do local movers charge in Portland?
Local movers based in Portland typically start around $382 as a base rate, plus $135/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Ann Arbor run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 53% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.