($719+) Milwaukee, WI to Portland, ME Movers
Moving from Milwaukee, WI, to Portland, ME, runs anywhere from $786 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,730 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,182 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 $2,146, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,730 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,214 - $4,153, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $786 - $2,027.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Milwaukee, WI, to Portland, ME. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,756 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 Milwaukee, WI to Portland, ME
Moving options from Milwaukee to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,756 - $6,222 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,182 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 1,182-mile route from Milwaukee to Portland, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,146 for a studio up to $8,730 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,214 - $4,153 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $786 - $2,027, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,149 - $3,458, 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 October 6, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Milwaukee, WI to Portland, ME
Hiring full-service movers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Portland, Maine, costs between $2,146 and $8,730. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,182-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $293 - $1,952, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Milwaukee and Portland. For a rough baseline, movers based in Milwaukee tend to start around $349 plus $105/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Milwaukee to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,146 - $5,024
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,756 - $6,222
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,431 - $8,730
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 Milwaukee to Portland.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Wisconsin to Maine. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Milwaukee, WI to Portland, ME
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Milwaukee 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 packing92% of local movers | $488 - $4,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $195 - $1,171/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,342 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $976 - $2,928 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,440 - $9,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $731 - $1,389 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Schroeder Moving Systems Inc. | $976 - $2,440 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage Co | $781 - $3,416 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $293 - $1,464 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: Schroeder Moving Systems Inc. | $634 - $1,952 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $293 - $14,640+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $293 - $3,416+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Milwaukee to Portland?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Maine Motor Transport Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Milwaukee, WI. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Milwaukee, WI to Portland, ME
Moving containers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Portland, Maine, cost between $1,214 and $4,153. 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 Milwaukee adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Milwaukee to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,214 - $2,367
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,677 - $3,297
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,248 - $4,153
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 $683 in Milwaukee, WI. 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 $73 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $146 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 Portland, ME, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Wisconsin 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 $1,214. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,677 - $3,297, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 10 years in business
- Eagle Moving & Storage Co (4.1/5), 96 years in business
- Hernia Movers Inc (4.4/5), 50 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Milwaukee, WI to Portland, ME
Renting a moving truck for the 1,182-mile move from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Portland, Maine, costs between $786 and $2,027, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $367 - $420
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Milwaukee daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.69
| 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 Milwaukee to Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $786 - $1,355
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $833 - $1,629
- 4+ bedrooms: $966 - $2,027
Pro tip: A rental truck from Milwaukee to Portland looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $786 - $2,027. But once you factor in fuel ($367 - $420) , overnight lodging ($146/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $683.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $367 - $420 for the 1,182-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 $59 and $317, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $146 per night for hotel stops on the 1,182-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $293 - $439.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee, WI to Portland, ME
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Portland, Maine. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,316 and $2,536.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Milwaukee to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,149 - $2,171
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,316 - $2,536
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,694 - $3,458
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $73 - $146 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, typically costs $683.
What are the best freight companies from Milwaukee 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.
- Star Line Trucking Or Star Line (4.46/5 stars): Star Line Trucking Or Star Line is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 88 | 112 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Median home value | $171,025 | $452,202 |
| Average income | $51,888/yr | $76,174/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.4% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.65% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 33.24/100 | 67.84/100 |
| 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 Portland, ME to Milwaukee, WI guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin 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 40 movers based in Wisconsin, handy for sizing up options on this 1,182-mile route.
Our take
The 1,182-mile move from Milwaukee, WI, to Portland, ME, costs between $2,146 and $8,730 with full-service movers, $1,214 - $4,153 with a moving container, and $786 - $2,027 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,756 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include TD Banknorth Inc and Maine Medical Center.
FAQs: Moving from Milwaukee, WI, to Portland, ME
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Milwaukee, WI 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.
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 33.24 and 66.76 in Milwaukee. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Portland?
Portland has a walkability score of 62 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 68, compared to 62 and 58 in Milwaukee. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Maine?
Although a local license is not required in Maine, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What percentage of Milwaukee movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Milwaukee handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.