($950+) Portland, ME to St. Paul, MN Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to St. Paul, MN, runs anywhere from $912 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,664 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,490 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,483, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,664 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,462 - $5,007, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $912 - $2,749.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to St. Paul, MN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,507 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 St. Paul, MN
Moving options from Portland to St. Paul 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 $3,507 - $7,588 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,490 miles and typically takes 3 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,490-mile route from Portland to St. Paul, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,483 for a studio up to $10,664 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,462 - $5,007 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $912 - $2,749, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,355 - $4,206, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Portland, ME to St. Paul, MN
Hiring full-service movers from Portland, Maine, to St. Paul, Minnesota, costs between $2,483 and $10,664. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,490-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $324 - $2,160, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Portland and St. Paul. For a rough baseline, movers based in Portland tend to start around $382 plus $135/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,483 - $6,223
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,507 - $7,588
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,199 - $10,664
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 St. Paul.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to Minnesota. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Portland, ME to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market — 78% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In St. Paul, 91% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $540 - $5,400 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready78% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $216 - $1,296/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $324 - $2,592 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $1,080 - $3,240 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,700 - $10,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $809 - $1,537 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $1,080 - $2,700 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $864 - $3,780 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling89% of local movers | $324 - $1,620 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect78% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $702 - $2,160 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $324 - $16,200+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $324 - $3,780+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to St. Paul?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Minnesota Transport Services 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 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 St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,462 and $5,007. 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 St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,462 - $2,740
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,943 - $3,640
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,568 - $5,007
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Portland, ME and St. Paul, MN. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $756 in Portland, ME, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $81 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $162 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to Minnesota 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 $1,462. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,943 - $3,640, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland to St. Paul?
- 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:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- Tiny Tim's Moving (4.3/5), 33 years in business
- Integrity Movers, 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to St. Paul, MN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,490 miles from Portland, Maine, to St. Paul, Minnesota, running $912 - $2,749. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $512 - $585
- Daily insurance: $32/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 St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $912 - $1,730
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,037 - $2,187
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,229 - $2,749
Pro tip: A rental truck from Portland to St. Paul looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $912 - $2,749. But once you factor in fuel ($512 - $585) , overnight lodging ($162/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $162 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $70 and $351 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $512 - $585 in fuel for the 1,490-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $756 in Portland, Maine, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to St. Paul?
- 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 St. Paul, MN
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 St. Paul, Minnesota. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,511 and $2,972.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,355 - $2,370
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,511 - $2,972
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,075 - $4,206
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?
- 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 $756.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $81 and $162 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to St. Paul?
- 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.
- Dubois Livestock (3.96/5 stars): Dubois Livestock is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul, MN
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Portland and St. Paul to plan around. Cost of living index: 112 vs. 102. Average rent: $1,991/mo vs. $1,350/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 62 vs. 60. Safety index: 67.84 vs. 49.14.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Paul, MN 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 Minnesota, 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 15 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,490-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Portland, ME, to St. Paul, MN, 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 $2,483 - $10,664 on the 1,490-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,462 - $5,007 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $912 - $2,749 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,507 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 Siemens and ACS Group.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to St. Paul, MN
Is St. Paul a safe place to live?
St. Paul has a safety index of 49.14 out of 100 and a crime index of 50.86, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Portland, ME to St. Paul, MN?
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 $1,037 - $2,187. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in St. Paul?
For families, Macalester-Groveland, Summit Hill, and Highland are worth a look in St. Paul. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, St. Anthony Park, and Summit Hill tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Portland, ME to St. Paul, MN 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 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 St. Paul run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 100% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 67% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
