($795+) Portland, ME to St. Louis, MO Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to St. Louis, MO, runs anywhere from $829 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,963 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,289 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 $2,639, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,963 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,398 - $4,675, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $829 - $2,340.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to St. Louis, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,297 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. Louis, MO
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland to St. Louis: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,297 - $7,816. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,289-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,289-mile route from Portland to St. Louis, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,639 for a studio up to $9,963 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,398 - $4,675 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $829 - $2,340, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,245 - $3,777, 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. Louis, MO
Full-service movers for the 1,289-mile relocation from Portland, Maine, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $2,639 and $9,963. 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 $302 - $2,016, 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 St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,639 - $5,815
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,297 - $7,816
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,779 - $9,963
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. Louis.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to Missouri. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market — 78% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In St. Louis, 86% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $504 - $5,040 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready78% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $202 - $1,210/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $302 - $2,419 |
| 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 | $1,008 - $3,024 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,520 - $10,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $755 - $1,434 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $1,008 - $2,520 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $806 - $3,528 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling89% of local movers | $302 - $1,512 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect78% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $655 - $2,016 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $302 - $15,120+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $302 - $3,528+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to St. Louis?
- 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 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 St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,398 and $4,675. 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 St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,398 - $2,600
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,698 - $3,417
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,396 - $4,675
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $76 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $151 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 $706 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 St. Louis, MO, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to Missouri 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 $1,398. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,698 - $3,417, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland to St. Louis?
- 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. Louis, MO
A rental truck for this 1,289-mile move from Portland, Maine, to St. Louis, Missouri, costs between $829 and $2,340. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $413 - $472
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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. Louis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $829 - $1,596
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $878 - $1,976
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,160 - $2,340
Pro tip: The base rate of $829 - $2,340 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Portland to St. Louis. Fuel ($413 - $472) , lodging at around $151/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Portland, Maine, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $706.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $413 - $472 for the 1,289-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $60 and $328, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $151 per night for hotel stops on the 1,289-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $302 - $454.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to St. Louis?
- 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. Louis, MO
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 St. Louis, Missouri.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,428 and $2,873.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,245 - $2,205
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,428 - $2,873
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,935 - $3,777
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?
- 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 $706.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $76 and $151 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to St. Louis?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Dubois Livestock (3.96/5 stars): Dubois Livestock is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Portland to St. Louis. 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: Portland, ME vs St. Louis, MO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Louis, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 84 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $180,206 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $55,279/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 6.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 4.8% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 66/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 30.35/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 St. Louis, MO to Portland, ME guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maine to Missouri in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 15 movers based in Maine, handy for sizing up options on this 1,289-mile route.
Our take
A move from Portland, ME, to St. Louis, MO, 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 $2,639 - $9,963 on the 1,289-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,398 - $4,675, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $829 - $2,340. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,297 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to St. Louis tend to point to rich culture and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though poor education and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include BJC HealthCare and Walmart.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to St. Louis, MO
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($413 - $472), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $151/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Missouri?
Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number.
What is the best time of year to move from Portland, ME to St. Louis, MO?
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is St. Louis a safe place to live?
St. Louis has a safety index of 30.35 out of 100 and a crime index of 69.65, 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 100% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 67% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
