($504+) Cleveland, OH to Portland, ME Movers
Moving from Cleveland, OH, to Portland, ME, runs anywhere from $504 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,283 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 738 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 $1,595, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,283 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,074 - $3,349, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $504 - $1,461.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Cleveland, OH, to Portland, ME. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,369 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 Cleveland, OH to Portland, ME
There are 3 main ways to move from Cleveland to Portland: 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 $2,369 - $5,441. Moving containers run about 42% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 77% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 738-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 738-mile route from Cleveland to Portland, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,595 for a studio up to $8,283 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,074 - $3,349 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $504 - $1,461, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $948 - $2,680, 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 Cleveland, OH to Portland, ME
Full-service movers for the 738-mile relocation from Cleveland, Ohio, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,595 and $8,283. 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 $284 - $1,892, 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 Cleveland typically charge a base rate around $185 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Cleveland to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,595 - $4,433
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,369 - $5,441
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,817 - $8,283
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 Cleveland to Portland.
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 Cleveland, OH to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Cleveland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Portland, 50% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing81% of local movers | $473 - $4,730 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Bright Eyed Moving | $189 - $1,135/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $284 - $2,270 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs45% of local movers | $946 - $2,838 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,365 - $9,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $709 - $1,346 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items16% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Leaders Moving & Storage Co. | $946 - $2,365 |
| Piano | Any piano type31% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Bright Eyed Moving | $757 - $3,311 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $284 - $1,419 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect6% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $615 - $1,892 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $284 - $14,190+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $284 - $3,311+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Cleveland to Portland?
Movers licensed to operate in Maine are typically members of the Maine Motor Transport Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Cleveland, OH. 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 Cleveland, OH to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Cleveland, Ohio, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,074 and $3,349. 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 Cleveland adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Cleveland to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,074 - $1,933
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,366 - $2,653
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,741 - $3,349
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Cleveland, OH and Portland, ME. 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 $662 in Cleveland, OH, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $71 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $142 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 Ohio 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 $1,074. 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 $1,366 - $2,653.
What are the best moving containers Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland:
- Bright Eyed Moving (4.8/5), 11 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Cleveland, OH to Portland, ME
A rental truck for this 738-mile move from Cleveland, Ohio, to Portland, Maine, costs between $504 and $1,461. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $222 - $254
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Cleveland 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 Cleveland to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $504 - $927
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $550 - $1,193
- 4+ bedrooms: $715 - $1,461
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Cleveland to Portland starts at $504 - $1,461, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($222 - $254), overnight lodging ($142/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $142 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 $61 and $307 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $222 - $254 in fuel for the 738-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $662 in Cleveland, Ohio, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Cleveland 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 Cleveland, OH to Portland, ME
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Cleveland, Ohio, to Portland, Maine. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $851 and $2,102.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Cleveland to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $948 - $1,706
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,103 - $2,102
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,365 - $2,680
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 $71 and $142.
- 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 Cleveland, Ohio, for roughly five hours typically average $662.
What are the best freight companies from Cleveland 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Cleveland 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: Cleveland, OH 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 Cleveland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Cleveland, OH | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 83 | 112 |
| Average rent | $1,295/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $96,509 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $39,187/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 3.5% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 57/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 36.59/100 | 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 Cleveland, OH guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Ohio to Maine 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 282 movers based in Ohio, handy for sizing up options on this 738-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Cleveland, OH, to Portland, ME, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,595 - $8,283 on the 738-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,074 - $3,349 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $504 - $1,461 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,369 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include TD Banknorth Inc and Maine Medical Center.
FAQs: Moving from Cleveland, OH, to Portland, ME
How long does a move from Cleveland, OH to Portland, ME take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Portland?
For families, Deering Center, East End, and Rosemont are worth a look in Portland. If you're moving solo or without kids, East End, West End, and West Bayside tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Cleveland, OH 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 $550 - $1,193. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Portland a safe place to live?
Portland has a safety index of 67.84 out of 100 and a crime index of 32.16, compared to 36.59 and 63.41 in Cleveland. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Cleveland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 31% of movers in Cleveland handle piano moves, and 16% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.