($369+) Philadelphia, PA to Portland, ME Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Portland, ME, runs anywhere from $369 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,988 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 405 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,110, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,988 or more.
- Moving containers run $868 - $2,808, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $369 - $964.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Portland, ME. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,785 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 Philadelphia, PA to Portland, ME
There are 3 main ways to move from Philadelphia to Portland: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $1,785 - $4,557. Containers cost roughly 35% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 78% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 405 miles, expect 1 to 4 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 405-mile route from Philadelphia to Portland, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,110 - $3,474, container $868 - $1,612, rental truck $369 - $658, freight trailer $807 - $1,480.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,785 - $4,557, container $1,159 - $2,221, rental truck $385 - $827, freight trailer $890 - $1,724.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,056 - $6,988, container $1,490 - $2,808, rental truck $469 - $964, freight trailer $1,180 - $2,270.
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 Philadelphia, PA to Portland, ME
For the 405-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Portland, Maine, full-service movers cost between $1,110 and $6,988. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $322 - $2,144 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Philadelphia generally start around $282 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,110 - $3,474
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,785 - $4,557
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,056 - $6,988
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 Philadelphia to Portland.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Portland, 53% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $536 - $5,360 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $214 - $1,286/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $322 - $2,573 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,072 - $3,216 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,680 - $10,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $803 - $1,525 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,072 - $2,680 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $858 - $3,752 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $322 - $1,608 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $697 - $2,144 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $322 - $16,080+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $322 - $3,752+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia 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.
How much do local movers cost in Philadelphia, PA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Philadelphia to Portland with a local mover averages $1,820 - $4,648. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Philadelphia, PA can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
Zip to Zip Moving Inc (4.56/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Philadelphia, based on our analysis of feedback from 1,563 customers, 99.3% of which is positive.
Address: 558 W Uwchlan Ave, Exton, PA, 19341 | Founded: 2020
Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Portland, Maine, cost between $868 and $2,808. 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 Philadelphia typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $868 - $1,612
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,159 - $2,221
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,490 - $2,808
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $80 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $161 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 $750 in Philadelphia, PA, 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 Pennsylvania 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 $868. 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 $1,159 - $2,221.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia:
- Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 4 years in business
- Payless Moving Inc. (4.5/5), 17 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to Portland, ME
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 405 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Portland, Maine, running $369 - $964. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $138 - $158
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $21
- Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $0.99
| 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 Philadelphia to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $369 - $658
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $385 - $827
- 4+ bedrooms: $469 - $964
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $369 - $964 does not include fuel ($138 - $158), lodging ($161/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Philadelphia to Portland typically runs more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $750.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $138 - $158 for the 405-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $64 and $348, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $161 per night for hotel stops on the 405-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $322 - $482.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA to Portland, ME
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $890 and $1,724.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $807 - $1,480
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $890 - $1,724
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,180 - $2,270
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $750.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $80 - $161 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Portland?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Philadelphia to Portland, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs Portland, ME
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Philadelphia and Portland to plan around. Cost of living index: 104 vs. 112. Average rent: $1,695/mo vs. $1,991/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 75 vs. 62. Safety index: 33.91 vs. 67.84.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Portland, ME to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania 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 235 movers based in Pennsylvania, handy for sizing up options on this 405-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Philadelphia, PA, 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 $1,110 - $6,988 on the 405-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $868 - $2,808 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $369 - $964 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,785 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 Philadelphia, PA, to Portland, ME
How long does a move from Philadelphia, PA to Portland, ME take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 4 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($138 - $158), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $161/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Philadelphia, PA 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 $385 - $827. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia, PA to Portland, ME?
Costs on this route range from around $369 to $6,988, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,110 and $6,988, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
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 Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.