Portland, ME → Bismarck, ND · Cross-country move
About 1,764 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,280–$9,340, delivery in 5–10 days, 113 carriers on the Portland side and 42 in Bismarck.
Moving from Portland to Bismarck is a cross-country move of roughly 1,764 road miles, heading west from Maine to North Dakota.
At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $6,280 to $9,340 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 31 hours (4 driving days).
On the Portland side there are 113 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (63 of them authorized for interstate work), and 42 around Bismarck (32 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Bismarck.
Portland has a population of about 69,000 and Bismarck about 76,000. Portland is considerably denser (3,176 people per square mile versus 2,123), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $2,510 | $3,060 | $3,740 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,770 | $4,590 | $5,610 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $6,280 | $7,660 | $9,340 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $10,050 | $12,250 | $14,950 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $13,820 | $16,850 | $20,550 |
$2,410–$3,410
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,590–$3,820
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$6,280–$9,340
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Portland, ME → Bismarck, ND. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Earle W Noyes & Son
Legal name: Tmt Portland LLC
Legal name: Crosscountry Freight Solutions INC
Legal name: Asp INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,510 to $3,740 for a studio, $3,770 to $5,610 for a one-bedroom, $6,280 to $9,340 for a two-bedroom, $10,050 to $14,950 for a three-bedroom and $13,820 to $20,550 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,764 road miles (1,495 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 31 hours (4 driving days).
Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.
Yes. Crossing from Maine into North Dakota makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,410 to $3,410 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,590 to $3,820. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.
Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Portland–Bismarck corridor.