($418+) Portland, OR to Missoula, MT Movers
Moving from Portland, OR, to Missoula, MT, runs anywhere from $418 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,622 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 547 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 $1,476, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,622 or more.
- Moving containers run $911 - $3,094, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $418 - $1,144.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, OR, to Missoula, MT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,311 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Portland, OR to Missoula, MT
Moving options from Portland to Missoula fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,311 - $6,239 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 46% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 81% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 547 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 547-mile route from Portland to Missoula, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,476 - $4,131 | $911 - $1,722 | $418 - $793 | $889 - $1,473 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,311 - $6,239 | $1,241 - $2,426 | $442 - $987 | $974 - $1,942 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,306 - $8,622 | $1,670 - $3,094 | $585 - $1,144 | $1,257 - $2,450 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Portland, OR to Missoula, MT
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 547-mile move from Portland, Oregon, to Missoula, Montana, with costs ranging from $1,476 - $8,622. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $366 - $2,440. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Portland and Missoula. Local movers in Portland typically start around $278 as a base rate plus $130/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,476 - $4,131
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,311 - $6,239
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,306 - $8,622
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 Missoula.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Portland, OR to Missoula, MT
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Missoula, 50% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $610 - $6,100 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery | $244 - $1,464/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $366 - $2,928 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $1,220 - $3,660 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,050 - $12,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $914 - $1,736 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $1,220 - $3,050 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery | $976 - $4,270 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $366 - $1,830 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $793 - $2,440 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $366 - $18,300+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $366 - $4,270+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Missoula?
- 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Portland, OR. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Portland, OR to Missoula, MT
Moving containers from Portland, Oregon, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $911 and $3,094. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Portland typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $911 - $1,722
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,241 - $2,426
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,670 - $3,094
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $854 in Portland, OR. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $92 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $183 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Missoula, MT, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Oregon to Montana 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 $911. 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 $1,241 - $2,426.
What are the best moving containers Portland to Missoula?
- 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:
- 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery (4.9/5), 18 years in business
- PDX Movers (4.8/5), 14 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, OR to Missoula, MT
A rental truck for this 547-mile move from Portland, Oregon, to Missoula, Montana, costs between $418 and $1,144. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $212 - $243
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $24
- Portland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.19
| 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 Missoula based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $418 - $793
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $442 - $987
- 4+ bedrooms: $585 - $1,144
Pro tip: A rental truck from Portland to Missoula looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $418 - $1,144. But once you factor in fuel ($212 - $243), overnight lodging ($183/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $92 and $427.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $183.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $212 and $243 for the 547-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 $854 for 2 movers in Portland, Oregon, 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 Missoula?
- 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, OR to Missoula, MT
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Portland, Oregon, to Missoula, Montana. 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 $1,098 and $1,942.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $889 - $1,473
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $974 - $1,942
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,257 - $2,450
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?
- 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 $92 and $183.
- 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, Oregon, for roughly five hours typically average $854.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Missoula?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
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 Missoula 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, OR vs Missoula, MT
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Missoula, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, OR | Missoula, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 128 | 113 |
| Average rent | $1,530/mo | $1,322/mo |
| Median home value | $556,420 | $426,764 |
| Average income | $88,792/yr | $65,329/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 4.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.9% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 81/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 42.63/100 | 66.73/100 |
| 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 Missoula, MT to Portland, OR guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 1 real quote from Oregon to Montana 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 104 movers in our Oregon network to compare for this 547-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Portland, OR, to Missoula, MT, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,476 for a studio to $8,622 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 547-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $911 - $3,094. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $418 - $1,144, 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 $2,311 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 Walmart AT&T and Target.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, OR, to Missoula, MT
What is the cheapest way to move from Portland, OR to Missoula, MT?
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 $442 - $987. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Missoula a safe place to live?
Missoula has a safety index of 66.73 out of 100 and a crime index of 33.27, compared to 42.63 and 57.37 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 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 is the best time of year to move from Portland, OR to Missoula, MT?
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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Montana?
In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT).
What percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.