($693+) Portland, ME to Columbia, SC Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Columbia, SC, runs anywhere from $714 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,280 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,022 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 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 $2,492, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,280 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,231 - $4,190, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $714 - $1,999.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Columbia, SC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,831 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 Columbia, SC
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland to Columbia: 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 $2,831 - $7,154. 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 2 to 8 days for this 1,022-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 1,022-mile route from Portland to Columbia, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,492 - $5,780 with full-service movers, $1,231 - $2,336 with a container, $714 - $1,264 with a rental truck, or $1,097 - $2,081 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,831 - $7,154 full-service, $1,585 - $2,997 by container, $764 - $1,595 by rental truck, or $1,267 - $2,547 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,933 - $9,280 full-service, $2,032 - $4,190 by container, $960 - $1,999 by rental truck, or $1,744 - $3,220 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 11, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Portland, ME to Columbia, SC
Full-service movers for the 1,022-mile relocation from Portland, Maine, to Columbia, South Carolina, cost between $2,492 and $9,280. 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 $306 - $2,040, 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 Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,492 - $5,780
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,831 - $7,154
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,933 - $9,280
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 Columbia.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to South Carolina. 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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Add-ons and specialty services from Portland, ME to Columbia, SC
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost (Portland to Columbia) |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | You want the crew to box everything | $510 - $5,100 |
| Storage in transit | Your new place is not ready on arrival | $204 - $1,224/mo |
| Shuttle fee | A full-size truck cannot reach the door | $306 - $2,448 |
| Full-value protection | Coverage beyond the default $0.60/lb | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Shipments under about 2,000 lbs | $1,020 - $3,060 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,550 - $10,200 |
| Car shipping | Moving a second vehicle | $764 - $1,451 |
| Antiques & fine art | Climate control and white-glove handling | $1,020 - $2,550 |
| Piano | Upright, baby grand, or grand | $816 - $3,570 |
| Pool table | Disassembly and professional re-leveling | $306 - $1,530 |
| Hot tub | 500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect | $663 - $2,040 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled, vibration-safe transport | $306 - $15,300+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or VIP concierge | $306 - $3,570+ |
| Basic utilities | Ongoing monthly cost in Columbia | $148/mo |
| Internet | Ongoing monthly cost in Columbia | $60/mo |
| Cell phone plan | Ongoing monthly cost in Columbia | $55/mo |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Columbia?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in South Carolina Trucking 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 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 Columbia, SC
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Columbia, South Carolina, cost between $1,231 and $4,190. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Portland costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,231 - $2,336
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,585 - $2,997
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,032 - $4,190
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $77 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $153 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Columbia, SC, 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 $714 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 South Carolina 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 $1,231. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,585 - $2,997, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Columbia?
- 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
- Integrity Movers, 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to Columbia, SC
Truck rentals from Portland, Maine, to Columbia, South Carolina, range from $714 - $1,999 for the 1,022-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $332 - $379
- Daily insurance: $31/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 Columbia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $714 - $1,264
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $764 - $1,595
- 4+ bedrooms: $960 - $1,999
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Portland to Columbia starts at $714 - $1,999, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($332 - $379) , overnight lodging ($153/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $153 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 $66 and $332 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $332 - $379 in fuel for the 1,022-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $714 in Portland, Maine, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Columbia?
- 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 Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, South Carolina.
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 $1,267 and $2,547.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,097 - $2,081
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,267 - $2,547
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,744 - $3,220
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 $714.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $77 and $153 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Columbia?
- 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 are a great option when you need your belongings in Columbia 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 Columbia, SC
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Columbia, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Columbia, SC |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $1,447/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $241,128 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $55,653/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 7.0% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 48.39/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Columbia, SC to Portland, ME guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 779 real quotes from Portland, ME to Columbia, SC 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 1,022-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Portland, ME, to Columbia, SC, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,492 for a studio to $9,280 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,022-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,231 - $4,190. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $714 - $1,999, 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 $2,831 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Pure Fishing and LexiCode.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Columbia, SC
What is the cheapest way to move from Portland, ME to Columbia, SC?
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 $764 - $1,595. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Columbia?
For families, Irmo, Forest Acres, and Lexington are worth a look in Columbia. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cayce, Seven Oaks, and Forest Acres tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Portland, ME to Columbia, SC 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 Columbia run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Portland, ME to Columbia, SC?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
