Portsmouth, NH → Traverse City, MI · Long-distance move
About 880 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,430–$6,600, delivery in 2–5 days, 51 carriers on the Portsmouth side and 53 in Traverse City.
Moving from Portsmouth to Traverse City is a long-distance move of roughly 880 road miles, heading west from New Hampshire to Michigan.
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 $4,430 to $6,600 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 15 h 52 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 53 around Traverse City (19 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 Traverse City.
Portsmouth has a population of about 23,000 and Traverse City about 16,000. Traverse City is the denser city (1,894 people per square mile versus 1,402 in Portsmouth), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Labor and living costs run lower in Michigan than in New Hampshire, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home. Note that Michigan does collect a state income tax, unlike New Hampshire, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,770 | $2,160 | $2,640 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,660 | $3,240 | $3,960 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $4,430 | $5,410 | $6,600 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $7,090 | $8,650 | $10,550 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $9,750 | $11,890 | $14,510 |
$1,200–$1,700
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,810–$2,660
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$4,430–$6,600
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Portsmouth, NH → Traverse City, MI. 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: Nordic Movers INC
Legal name: Able Forwarders INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,770 to $2,640 for a studio, $2,660 to $3,960 for a one-bedroom, $4,430 to $6,600 for a two-bedroom, $7,090 to $10,550 for a three-bedroom and $9,750 to $14,510 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 880 road miles (746 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 15 h 52 min.
Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 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 New Hampshire into Michigan 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 $1,200 to $1,700 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,810 to $2,660. 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–Traverse City corridor.