Portland, ME → Iowa City, IA · Long-distance move
About 1,287 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,200–$7,740, delivery in 3–7 days, 113 carriers on the Portland side and 43 in Iowa City.
Moving from Portland to Iowa City is a long-distance move of roughly 1,287 road miles, heading west from Maine to Iowa.
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 $5,200 to $7,740 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 22 h 53 min.
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 43 around Iowa City (28 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 Iowa City.
Portland has a population of about 69,000 and Iowa City about 75,000. The two cities have comparable density (3,176 and 2,904 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Maine, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $2,080 | $2,540 | $3,100 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,120 | $3,810 | $4,640 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $5,200 | $6,340 | $7,740 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $8,320 | $10,150 | $12,380 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $11,440 | $13,950 | $17,020 |
$1,770–$2,500
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,170–$3,190
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$5,200–$7,740
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Portland, ME → Iowa City, IA. 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: Adamantine Spine Moving INC
Legal name: Iowa City Auto Sales LLC
Legal name: Brendan Daryl Beachy
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,080 to $3,100 for a studio, $3,120 to $4,640 for a one-bedroom, $5,200 to $7,740 for a two-bedroom, $8,320 to $12,380 for a three-bedroom and $11,440 to $17,020 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,287 road miles (1,090 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 22 h 53 min.
Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 Iowa 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 $1,770 to $2,500 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,170 to $3,190. 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–Iowa City corridor.