($777+) Portland, ME to Milwaukee, WI Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Milwaukee, WI, runs anywhere from $777 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,066 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,181 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 $2,273, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,066 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,273 - $4,062, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $777 - $2,125.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Milwaukee, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,012 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 Milwaukee, WI
Moving options from Portland to Milwaukee fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,012 - $6,658 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 50% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 74% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,181 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,181-mile route from Portland to Milwaukee, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,273 for a studio up to $9,066 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,273 - $4,062 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $777 - $2,125, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,124 - $3,383, 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 November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Portland, ME to Milwaukee, WI
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,181-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with costs ranging from $2,273 - $9,066. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $307 - $2,048. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Portland and Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,273 - $5,215
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,012 - $6,658
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,194 - $9,066
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 Milwaukee.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to Wisconsin. 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 Milwaukee, WI
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Milwaukee, 62% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing84% of local movers | $512 - $5,120 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $205 - $1,229/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $307 - $2,458 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,024 - $3,072 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,560 - $10,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $767 - $1,457 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Tiny Tim's Moving | $1,024 - $2,560 |
| Piano | Any piano type44% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $819 - $3,584 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $307 - $1,536 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $666 - $2,048 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $307 - $15,360+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $307 - $3,584+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Milwaukee?
All three below meet the standards set by the Wisconsin Movers Association, the group most Wisconsin movers are affiliated with.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Portland, ME. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Portland, ME to Milwaukee, WI
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, cost between $1,273 and $4,062. 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 Milwaukee. If you go over that window, storage in Portland adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Milwaukee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,273 - $2,294
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,499 - $3,321
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,093 - $4,062
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Portland, ME, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $717, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $77 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $154 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Portland, ME, and Milwaukee, WI, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine to Wisconsin 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 $1,273. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,499 - $3,321.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Milwaukee?
- 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:
- Tiny Tim's Moving (4.3/5), 33 years in business
- Midwest Moving Company (4.8/5), 0 years in business
- SC Moving Services (5.0/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to Milwaukee, WI
Plan on $777 - $2,125 for a rental moving truck on the 1,181-mile route from Portland, Maine, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $385 - $440
- 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 Milwaukee based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $777 - $1,381
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $791 - $1,693
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,035 - $2,125
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $777 - $2,125 when pricing out a rental truck from Portland to Milwaukee. Fuel alone runs $385 - $440, and overnight lodging ($154/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $385 - $440 for the 1,181-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Portland, Maine, for about 5 hours typically costs around $717.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,181-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $154 per night, adding $307 - $461 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $51 and $307.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to Milwaukee?
- 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 Milwaukee, WI
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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,313 and $2,456.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Milwaukee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,124 - $2,023
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,313 - $2,456
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,794 - $3,383
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $77 and $154.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Portland, Maine, for roughly five hours typically average $717.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Milwaukee?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee, WI
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Milwaukee, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 88 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $171,025 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $51,888/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 7.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 7.65% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 33.24/100 |
| 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 Milwaukee, WI to Portland, ME guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Maine to Wisconsin, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 46 movers licensed in Maine, useful context for sizing up this 1,181-mile move.
Our take
A move from Portland, ME, to Milwaukee, WI, 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 $2,273 - $9,066 on the 1,181-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,273 - $4,062, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $777 - $2,125. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,012 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Johnson Controls and Aurora Health Care.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Milwaukee, WI
How do I know a mover is licensed in Wisconsin?
Movers providing in-state relocation services in the Badger State must register with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), but strictly speaking, it’s not a regulated state. However, movers must comply with individual insurance, licensing, and other state laws and regulations.
What are the best neighborhoods in Milwaukee?
For families, Bay View, Historic Third Ward, and Juneau Town are worth a look in Milwaukee. If you're moving solo or without kids, Bay View, Brewer’s Hill, and Historic Third Ward tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has a walkability score of 62 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 58, compared to 62 and 68 in Portland. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Milwaukee a safe place to live?
Milwaukee has a safety index of 33.24 out of 100 and a crime index of 66.76, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Portland, ME to Milwaukee, WI?
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.
What percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 44% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.