Moving from Portland, ME to Boston, MA
About 115 miles across a state line, from Maine into Massachusetts, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Portland, ME to Boston, MA covers about 115 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $518 – $690 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 178 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 115 miles, about 2 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $518 – $690. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 2 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Portland to Boston
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $450 – $600 | $315 – $420 | $225 – $300 |
| 1 bedroom | $466 – $621 | $335 – $447 | $225 – $300 |
| 2 bedrooms | $518 – $690 | $373 – $497 | $248 – $331 |
| 3 bedrooms | $595 – $794 | $428 – $571 | $286 – $381 |
| 4 bedrooms | $673 – $897 | $484 – $646 | $323 – $431 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $776 – $1,035 | $559 – $745 | $373 – $497 |
Transport only, for an estimated 115 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Portland to Boston
115 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $575. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $518 to $690, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Portland to Boston
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 178 people a year (±93) moved from Cumberland County, ME, home to Portland, to Suffolk County, MA, home to Boston. Going the other way: about 416 people a year (±181). Movers from Cumberland County make up 0.3% of the 64,488 people a year who moved into Suffolk County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 6,746 people a year (±2,201) moving from Maine to Massachusetts and about 6,723 people a year (±2,509) from Massachusetts to Maine — a net gain for Massachusetts of about 23 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| York County, ME | 2,860 ±593 |
| Androscoggin County, ME | 1,499 ±396 |
| Sagadahoc County, ME | 669 ±261 |
| Kennebec County, ME | 626 ±275 |
| Penobscot County, ME | 615 ±175 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Middlesex County, MA | 15,398 ±1,386 |
| Norfolk County, MA | 7,422 ±847 |
| Essex County, MA | 2,813 ±534 |
| Plymouth County, MA | 2,372 ±493 |
| Worcester County, MA | 1,552 ±260 |
Licensed movers at each end
9 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Portland (23 counting those licensed only inside Maine). 7 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 25.0% of their 8 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earle W Noyes & Sons Moving SpecialistsUSDOT 51022 | Portland · 0 mi | 14 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Integrity MoversUSDOT 3107396 | Scarborough · 7 mi | 5 trucks | 1 | — |
| Gore Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 714881 | Windham · 12 mi | 4 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Gordons MovingUSDOT 4425248 | Lewiston · 30 mi | 4 trucks | 0 | — |
| Liberty Bell Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 1846942 | South Portland · 2 mi | 3 trucks | 7 | 33.3% of 3 |
| Wilson MovingUSDOT 3914942 | Windham · 12 mi | 2 trucks | 1 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the Boston end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Boston: Gentle Giant Moving Company (Winchester, 88 trucks), Olympia Moving & Storage (Watertown Town, 70 trucks), DN Van Lines Moving & Storage (Northborough, 32 trucks), Stairhopper Movers LLC (Everett, 31 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Maine into Massachusetts, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Portland to Boston
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 115 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
Arriving in Boston
A local move inside Boston later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $525 – $859 for a two-bedroom home and $885 – $1,587 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Boston are Nashua (about 41 mi), Worcester (about 45 mi), Providence (about 48 mi).
Other routes from Portland
All routes from Portland, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland to Bangor, ME | ~126 mi | $567 – $756 |
| Portland to Atlanta, GA | ~1,191 mi | $5,360 – $7,146 |
| Portland to Denver, CO | ~2,097 mi | $9,437 – $12,582 |
| Portland to Los Angeles, CA | ~3,063 mi | $13,784 – $18,378 |
| Portland to Fremont, CA | ~3,150 mi | $14,175 – $18,900 |
Also moving to Boston: from Worcester, MA, from Nashua, NH, from Providence, RI, from Warwick, RI.
Portland to Boston moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Portland, ME to Boston?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 115 miles cost about $450 – $600 for a studio, $518 – $690 for a two-bedroom home and $595 – $794 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Portland, ME to Boston take?
The drive is about 2 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Portland, ME to Boston?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $248 – $331 for a two-bedroom home, against $518 – $690 with full-service movers; a moving container is $373 – $497.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Portland, ME to Boston?
Yes. Portland is in Maine and Boston is in Massachusetts, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 9 listed movers within 30 miles of Portland hold it.
How many people move from Portland, ME to Boston each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 178 people a year (margin of error ±93) moved from Cumberland County, which contains Portland, to Suffolk County, which contains Boston.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.