($1,784+) Portland, ME to Seattle, WA Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Seattle, WA, runs anywhere from $1,749 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $16,424 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 3,152 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $3,234, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $16,424 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,080 - $8,209, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,749 - $5,110.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Seattle, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $5,076 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Portland, ME to Seattle, WA
Moving options from Portland to Seattle 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 $5,076 - $10,701 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 3,152 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 3,152-mile route from Portland to Seattle, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $3,234 - $7,963 | $2,080 - $4,266 | $1,749 - $3,529 | $1,910 - $3,801 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $5,076 - $10,701 | $2,699 - $5,947 | $1,875 - $4,121 | $2,204 - $4,757 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $9,074 - $16,424 | $3,654 - $8,209 | $2,395 - $5,110 | $3,075 - $6,441 |
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 Seattle, WA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 3,152-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Seattle, Washington, with costs ranging from $3,234 - $16,424. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $391 - $2,608. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Portland and Seattle. Local movers in Portland typically start around $382 as a base rate plus $135/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $3,234 - $7,963
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $5,076 - $10,701
- 4+ bedrooms: $9,074 - $16,424
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 Seattle.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to Washington. 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.
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Specialty moving services from Portland, ME to Seattle, WA
Specialty needs vary by market — 78% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Seattle, 92% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $652 - $6,520 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready78% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $261 - $1,565/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $391 - $3,130 |
| 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 | $1,304 - $3,912 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,260 - $13,040 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $977 - $1,856 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $1,304 - $3,260 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $1,043 - $4,564 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling89% of local movers | $391 - $1,956 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect78% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $848 - $2,608 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $391 - $19,560+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $391 - $4,564+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Seattle?
Look for Washington Movers Conference membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Washington beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Portland, ME, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Portland, ME to Seattle, WA
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Seattle, Washington, cost between $2,080 and $8,209. 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 Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,080 - $4,266
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,699 - $5,947
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,654 - $8,209
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Portland, ME and Seattle, WA. 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 $913 in Portland, ME, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $98 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $196 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 Washington 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 $2,080. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,699 - $5,947, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Seattle?
- 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 Seattle, WA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 3,152 miles from Portland, Maine, to Seattle, Washington, running $1,749 - $5,110. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,308 - $1,495
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- 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 Seattle based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,749 - $3,529
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,875 - $4,121
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,395 - $5,110
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,749 - $5,110 does not include fuel ($1,308 - $1,495) , lodging ($196/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Portland to Seattle typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $98 and $456.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $196.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,308 and $1,495 for the 3,152-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 $913 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 Seattle?
- 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 Seattle, WA
If you're moving a larger household from Portland, Maine, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Seattle, Washington.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $2,204 and $4,757.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,910 - $3,801
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,204 - $4,757
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,075 - $6,441
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 $913.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $98 and $196 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Seattle?
- 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Portland, ME vs Seattle, WA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Seattle, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 158 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $1,975/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $911,938 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $121,984/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 4.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | None |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 74/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 49.23/100 |
| 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 Seattle, WA to Portland, ME guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Maine to Washington, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 15 movers in Maine, so you have real options to compare for this 3,152-mile move.
Our take
The 3,152-mile move from Portland, ME, to Seattle, WA, costs between $3,234 and $16,424 with full-service movers, $2,080 - $8,209 with a moving container, and $1,749 - $5,110 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $5,076 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Seattle tend to point to beautiful nature and ample economic opportunity, though high cost of living and rainy weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Amazon.com and Starbucks.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Seattle, WA
What is the best time of year to move from Portland, ME to Seattle, WA?
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 Seattle a safe place to live?
Seattle has a safety index of 49.23 out of 100 and a crime index of 58.88, 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 Seattle, WA?
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 $1,875 - $4,121. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Seattle?
For families, Greenwood, Laurelhurst, and Magnolia are worth a look in Seattle. If you're moving solo or without kids, Ballard, Capitol Hill, and Fremont tend to be popular picks instead.
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.