($422+) Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $417 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,004 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 405 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,345, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,004 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,044 - $3,048, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $417 - $1,068.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,463 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 298 real quotes from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA 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.
Compare moving options from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland to Philadelphia: 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 $2,463 - $6,110. 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.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 405-mile route from Portland to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,345 for a studio up to $9,004 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,044 - $3,048 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $417 - $1,068, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $903 - $2,516, 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 August 18, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA
For the 405-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, full-service movers cost between $1,345 and $9,004. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $326 - $2,176 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,345 - $4,849
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,463 - $6,110
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,939 - $9,004
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 Philadelphia.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to Pennsylvania. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
Add-ons and specialty services from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA
Most moves come with a few extras on top of the base price, and some items need a specialist instead of a standard crew. The table below lists what each add-on and specialty service runs from Portland to Philadelphia. Prices are localized to Portland costs.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost (Portland to Philadelphia) |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | You want the crew to box everything | $544 - $5,440 |
| Storage in transit | Your new place is not ready on arrival | $218 - $1,306/mo |
| Shuttle fee | A full-size truck cannot reach the door | $326 - $2,611 |
| Full-value protection | Coverage beyond the default $0.60/lb | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Shipments under about 2,000 lbs | $1,088 - $3,264 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,720 - $10,880 |
| Car shipping | Moving a second vehicle | $815 - $1,548 |
| Antiques & fine art | Climate control and white-glove handling | $1,088 - $2,720 |
| Piano | Upright, baby grand, or grand | $870 - $3,808 |
| Pool table | Disassembly and professional re-leveling | $326 - $1,632 |
| Hot tub | 500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect | $707 - $2,176 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled, vibration-safe transport | $326 - $16,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or VIP concierge | $326 - $3,808+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Philadelphia?
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Portland, ME?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Portland to Philadelphia with a local mover averages $2,586 - $6,415. For moves under 500 miles, local moving companies in Portland, ME can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to national carriers. Many price shorter moves using hourly or regional rates that may come in lower overall, with leaner operations and tighter service areas often translating to more flexible scheduling and a more personalized experience.
Keep in mind that not every local mover is authorized for moves that cross city or state lines. Always confirm interstate licensing and proper insurance before booking.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.48/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Portland, based on our analysis of feedback from 244 customers, 95.5% of which is positive.
Address: 24 Bridgton Road, Westbrook, ME, 04092 | Founded: 2017
Moving container costs from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,044 and $3,048. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Philadelphia.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,044 - $1,860
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,350 - $2,436
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,651 - $3,048
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $82 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $163 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Philadelphia, PA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $762 in Portland, ME. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to Pennsylvania 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 $1,044. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,350 - $2,436, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Philadelphia?
- PODS (4.8/5 stars): PODS is best for nationwide coverage. It runs the widest service network of any container company, with secure month-to-month storage and steel-frame containers you load on your own schedule.
- Units Moving & Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars): Units is best for locally owned service. Their steel containers come in multiple sizes that fit tight driveways, and locally owned branches mean you reach a live support team that knows your area.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat: 1-800-Pack-Rat is best for weatherproof storage. Their all-steel containers hold up well in transit and long storage windows, with flexible month-to-month terms when your move-in date slips.
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
- Midwest Moving Company (4.8/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA
Truck rentals from Portland, Maine, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, range from $417 - $1,068, depending on truck size. With a rental truck, you're getting the vehicle and nothing else. That means loading up all your boxes and furniture yourself, driving the truck the full 405 miles to Philadelphia, and unloading everything there. Additional costs include fuel ($140 - $160 for the drive), insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top of the base rate.
Rental moving trucks come in sizes ranging from 10 - 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck is the most popular choice for an average 2-bedroom move. If you're moving out of a studio or 1-bedroom apartment, a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck will typically do the job. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck. Trucks in that larger size class generally run on diesel fuel, which can push up your overall cost.
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Portland to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $417 - $789
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $427 - $864
- 4+ bedrooms: $530 - $1,068
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Portland to Philadelphia starts at $417 - $1,068, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($140 - $160) , overnight lodging ($163/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
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 $381.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $163.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $140 and $160 for the 405-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 $762 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 Philadelphia?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars): Budget Truck Rental is our pick for best value rental. Their base rates are typically the lowest among national truck rental companies, and Budget regularly offers discounts for online bookings, AAA members, and military.
- Penske Truck Rental (4/5 stars): Penske Truck Rental is the most reliable on this list. Penske maintains a newer fleet (averaging under 2 years old) and includes unlimited mileage and 24/7 roadside assistance on every one-way move.
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars): U-Haul Truck Rental is the best availability option. With more than 23,000 locations and 7 truck sizes ranging from 8 to 26 feet, U-Haul covers nearly every U.S. zip code and accommodates same-day pickups in most markets.
Freight trailer costs from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 $1,028 and $2,030.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $903 - $1,608
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,028 - $2,030
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,418 - $2,516
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?
- 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 $762.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $82 and $163 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Philadelphia?
- 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.
- Dubois Livestock (3.96/5 stars): Dubois Livestock is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Portland to Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia, PA
Portland and Philadelphia land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 112 in Portland and 104 in Philadelphia, and rent tracks closely too ($1,991/mo vs. $1,695/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Philadelphia, PA to Portland, ME guide.
Our take
For a move from Portland, ME, to Philadelphia, PA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,345 for a studio to $9,004 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 405-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,044 - $3,048. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $417 - $1,068, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,463 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
How to plan your move from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA
- Compare your moving service options: Decide which service fits your Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA move by comparing hands-off full-service pricing ($1,345 - $9,004) with lower-cost DIY container and truck options.
- Estimate your cost with the moving calculator: Get a tailored estimate for your move from Portland to Philadelphia using the moving cost calculator before you start contacting movers.
- Review the top-rated movers for this route: Shortlist a few movers from our recommended picks for this route, weighing their moveBuddha ratings and the strengths called out in each review.
- Request free quotes: Reach out for free estimates from your top choices so you can compare actual costs, not just averages, before booking.
- Verify licensing with the FMCSA: Protect yourself by looking up the mover's registration and complaint history with the FMCSA before you sign anything.
- Book early and time your move: Schedule your move for the fall or winter when demand drops, and book ahead to secure the best price and date for this route.
FAQ
What are some tips for a move from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA?
Decluttering one bedroom's worth of items before your move reduces your shipment by around 500 pounds and saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route.
From there, having a clear plan makes everything easier. Use a moving checklist to stay on top of key tasks and deadlines so nothing slips through the cracks as moving day gets closer.
When is the best time of year to move from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA?
The fall and winter months, roughly October through March, are generally the most affordable time to move from Portland, Maine, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Demand is lower, movers have more availability, and you'll often find more competitive pricing across all service types.
If you have to move during peak season (mid-May through mid-September), try to book as early as possible and avoid weekends and month-end dates, when demand is highest and prices reflect it.
How long will it take to move from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete moves from Portland to Philadelphia in 5 - 7 days. That timeline is driven by how carriers consolidate multiple shipments on a single truck heading the same direction.
Freight trailers are usually the fastest option (other than driving a rental truck yourself), with deliveries typically in 3 - 5 days. That said, freight is best-suited for moves where you know exactly when and where you'll be receiving your items. Renting a truck and driving from Portland, Maine, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, means the schedule is completely yours to set.
What does it cost to move from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,345 on the low end to $9,004 on the high end. Where you land depends on your home size, the service you choose, and when you move.
Full-service movers typically fall between $1,345 and $9,004, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during off-season months (October - March) can also make a meaningful difference in your final total for a move from Portland, Maine, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What is the most affordable way to move from Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA?
A rental truck is typically the cheapest way to move from Portland to Philadelphia, since the base rate covers only the vehicle and you handle everything else. A 2-bedroom truck rental on this route averages $427 - $864. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Those extra costs are broken out in the truck rental section above. It's worth totaling them before you book, since a moving container can sometimes land close to the same final price once a truck rental's add-ons are factored in, with less of the loading and driving on you.