($446+) Buffalo, NY to Portland, ME Movers
Moving from Buffalo, NY, to Portland, ME, runs anywhere from $465 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,000 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 556 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,193, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,000 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,046 - $3,223, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $465 - $1,237.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Buffalo, NY, to Portland, ME. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,936 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 Buffalo, NY to Portland, ME
Moving options from Buffalo to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,936 - $4,955 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 556-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 556-mile route from Buffalo to Portland, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,193 - $3,686 | $1,046 - $1,755 | $465 - $813 | $905 - $1,645 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,936 - $4,955 | $1,328 - $2,652 | $481 - $1,016 | $1,022 - $2,081 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,653 - $7,000 | $1,719 - $3,223 | $625 - $1,237 | $1,334 - $2,683 |
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 Buffalo, NY to Portland, ME
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 556-mile move from Buffalo, New York, to Portland, Maine, with prices running from $1,193 - $7,000. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $300 - $2,000 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Buffalo and Portland are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Buffalo movers tend to run around $341 as a base rate plus $200/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Buffalo to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,193 - $3,686
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,936 - $4,955
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,653 - $7,000
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 Buffalo to Portland.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from New York to Maine. 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 Buffalo, NY to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market — 80% of Buffalo movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Portland, 78% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $500 - $5,000 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready80% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Wayfinder Moving Services | $200 - $1,200/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $300 - $2,400 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,500 - $10,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $749 - $1,423 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items46% nationallyTop pick: Sheridan Brothers Moving | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| Piano | Any piano type80% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Wayfinder Moving Services | $800 - $3,500 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling20% of local movers | $300 - $1,500 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: Sheridan Brothers Moving | $650 - $2,000 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $300 - $15,000+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $300 - $3,500+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Buffalo to Portland?
Maine Motor Transport Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Maine, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Buffalo, NY, 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 Buffalo, NY to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Buffalo, New York, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,046 and $3,223. 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 Portland. If you go over that window, storage in Buffalo adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Buffalo to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,046 - $1,755
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,328 - $2,652
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,719 - $3,223
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $75 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $150 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 $700 in Buffalo, NY, 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 Portland, ME, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New York to Maine 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 $1,046. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,328 - $2,652, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Buffalo to Portland?
- 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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo:
- Wayfinder Moving Services (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 24 years in business
- Best Buffalo Movers , 30 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Buffalo, NY to Portland, ME
Truck rentals from Buffalo, New York, to Portland, Maine, range from $465 - $1,237 for the 556-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $177 - $202
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Buffalo daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Buffalo to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $465 - $813
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $481 - $1,016
- 4+ bedrooms: $625 - $1,237
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $465 - $1,237 does not include fuel ($177 - $202) , lodging ($150/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Buffalo to Portland typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $150 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 $65 and $325 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $177 - $202 in fuel for the 556-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $700 in Buffalo, New York, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Buffalo to Portland?
- 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 Buffalo, NY to Portland, ME
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Buffalo, New York, to Portland, Maine, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,022 and $2,081.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Buffalo to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $905 - $1,645
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,022 - $2,081
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,334 - $2,683
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $75 - $150 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Buffalo, New York, for about five hours typically runs $700.
What are the best freight companies from Buffalo to Portland?
- 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.
- Mayer Bros (4.5/5 stars): Mayer Bros 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 Buffalo to Portland. 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: Buffalo, NY vs Portland, ME
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Portland, side by side with Buffalo on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Buffalo, NY | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 92 | 112 |
| Average rent | $1,200/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $153,273 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $48,050/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.5% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.9% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 67/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 53.55/100 | 67.84/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Portland, ME to Buffalo, NY guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from New York to Maine over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 147 movers in our New York network to compare for this 556-mile move.
Our take
A move from Buffalo, NY, to Portland, ME, 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 $1,193 - $7,000 on the 556-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,046 - $3,223, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $465 - $1,237. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,936 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 TD Banknorth Inc and Maine Medical Center.
FAQs: Moving from Buffalo, NY, to Portland, ME
What is the cheapest way to move from Buffalo, NY to Portland, ME?
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 $481 - $1,016. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($177 - $202), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $150/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Buffalo, NY to Portland, ME 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 is the best time of year to move from Buffalo, NY to Portland, ME?
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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Buffalo, NY to Portland, ME?
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 Buffalo movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 80% of movers in Buffalo handle piano moves, compared to 71% nationally.
