Dover, DE

Portsmouth, NH → Dover, DE · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Portsmouth to Dover

About 431 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,310–$4,920, delivery in 1–3 days, 51 carriers on the Portsmouth side and 143 in Dover.

  • 431 miroad distance
  • 8 h 8 mindriving time
  • 1–3 daysdelivery window
  • $3,310–$4,9202-bedroom estimate
Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 431 miles (365 straight-line)
Drive time
8 h 8 min
Delivery window
1–3 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
51 (38 interstate)
Movers at destination
143 (103 interstate)

Reverse: Dover → Portsmouth

Dover sits about 431 miles southwest of Portsmouth, which makes this an interstate relocation from New Hampshire to Delaware that most movers classify as a regional long-distance move.

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 $3,310 to $4,920 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 8 h 8 min.

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 143 around Dover (103 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 Dover.

Portsmouth has a population of about 23,000 and Dover about 40,000. The two cities have comparable density (1,402 and 1,654 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Note that Delaware does collect a state income tax, unlike New Hampshire, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Portsmouth to Dover

Full-service estimate for 431 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,320 $1,610 $1,970
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $1,980 $2,420 $2,950
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $3,310 $4,030 $4,920
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $5,290 $6,450 $7,870
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $7,270 $8,870 $10,820

Rental truck (DIY)

$590–$840

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,400–$2,070

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$3,310–$4,920

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Portsmouth, NH → Dover, DE. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Portsmouth (origin)

Bridges Bros Movers

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3152985
MC
105934
Based in
North Hampton, NH 03862 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered
2018

William C Huff Trucking INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
361089
MC
249041
Based in
Dover, NH 03820 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
10 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered
1989

Wood Bros Moving Storage LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1761858
MC
644032
Based in
Portsmouth, NH 03801 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
8 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2008

Wings-Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2519075
MC
874927
Based in
Hampton, NH 03842 (9 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
8 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered
2014

Preferred Movers

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1381627
MC
532837
Based in
North Hampton, NH 03862 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered
2005

McLaughlin Moving Company INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
363252
MC
74451
Based in
Portsmouth, NH 03801 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
3 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
1989

Central Fence & Deck LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2874509
MC
1767324
Based in
Somersworth, NH 03878 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2016

Bluebird Self Storage

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4233288
MC
1638118
Based in
Greenland, NH 03840 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
2 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2024

All 51 movers in Portsmouth

Near Dover (destination)

Em Way INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1934741
MC
690698
Based in
Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
100 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered
2009

Tri-Coast Carriers LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1510668
MC
566208
Based in
Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
66 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered
2006

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2546977
MC
886752
Based in
Dover, DE 19901 (3 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
17 trucks, 24 drivers
USDOT registered
2014

Collett & Son Welding INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
872818
MC
903323
Based in
Smyrna, DE 19977 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
15 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered
2000

Mom Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3876998
MC
1421184
Based in
Dover, DE 19901 (3 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered
2022

Benjamin Mast

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4262251
MC
1653912
Based in
Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
9 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2024

A & D Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3100720
MC
77314
Based in
Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
2018

R Gill USA Corporation

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3621695
MC
1237363
Based in
Smyrna, DE 19977 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
2021

All 143 movers in Dover

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Portsmouth to Dover?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,320 to $1,970 for a studio, $1,980 to $2,950 for a one-bedroom, $3,310 to $4,920 for a two-bedroom, $5,290 to $7,870 for a three-bedroom and $7,270 to $10,820 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Dover from Portsmouth?

About 431 road miles (365 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 8 h 8 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from New Hampshire into Delaware 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.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Portsmouth to Dover?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $590 to $840 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,400 to $2,070. 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.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

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–Dover corridor.