Portland, ME → Lowell, MA · Short-haul move
About 106 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,180–$3,240, delivery in 1–2 days, 113 carriers on the Portland side and 215 in Lowell.
The route from Portland, ME to Lowell, MA covers roughly 106 miles by road, a southwest-bound trip that falls into the short-haul move category for pricing purposes.
Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 2 h 32 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,180 and $3,240, before packing or storage.
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 215 around Lowell (152 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 Lowell.
Portland has a population of about 69,000 and Lowell about 119,971. Lowell is the denser city (8,497 people per square mile versus 3,176 in Portland), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Massachusetts is a higher-cost state than Maine, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,370 | $1,660 | $2,030 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,370 | $1,660 | $2,030 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,180 | $2,650 | $3,240 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $3,480 | $4,250 | $5,180 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $4,790 | $5,840 | $7,120 |
$260–$370
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,110–$1,640
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,180–$3,240
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Portland, ME → Lowell, MA. 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: J & M Installations
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,370 to $2,030 for a studio, $1,370 to $2,030 for a one-bedroom, $2,180 to $3,240 for a two-bedroom, $3,480 to $5,180 for a three-bedroom and $4,790 to $7,120 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 106 road miles (89 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 32 min.
Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 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 Massachusetts 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 $260 to $370 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,110 to $1,640. 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–Lowell corridor.