Portsmouth, NH → Cambridge, MA · Short-haul move
About 59 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,470–$2,190, delivery in 1–2 days, 51 carriers on the Portsmouth side and 490 in Cambridge.
Moving from Portsmouth to Cambridge is a short-haul move of roughly 59 road miles, heading south from New Hampshire to Massachusetts.
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 1 h 43 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,470 and $2,190, before packing or storage.
On the Portsmouth side there are 51 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (38 of them authorized for interstate work), and 490 around Cambridge (287 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 Cambridge.
Portsmouth has a population of about 23,000 and Cambridge about 122,588. Cambridge is the denser city (18,500 people per square mile versus 1,402 in Portsmouth), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Massachusetts is a higher-cost state than New Hampshire, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. Note that Massachusetts does collect a state income tax, unlike New Hampshire, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $810 | $990 | $1,210 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $940 | $1,140 | $1,390 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,470 | $1,800 | $2,190 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $2,240 | $2,730 | $3,330 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $3,300 | $4,030 | $4,910 |
$210–$300
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,070–$1,580
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,470–$2,190
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Portsmouth, NH → Cambridge, 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: Crowded Street Holdings LLC
Legal name: Preferred Movers LLC
Legal name: Bluebird Storage LLC
Legal name: Gentle Giant Interstate Company LLC
Legal name: Spike INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $810 to $1,210 for a studio, $940 to $1,390 for a one-bedroom, $1,470 to $2,190 for a two-bedroom, $2,240 to $3,330 for a three-bedroom and $3,300 to $4,910 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 59 road miles (50 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 1 h 43 min.
For a move this short, loading and delivery normally happen on the same day. Most crews finish a two-bedroom home in 5 to 8 hours plus the drive.
Yes. Crossing from New Hampshire 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 $210 to $300 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,070 to $1,580. 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 Portsmouth–Cambridge corridor.