Santa Cruz, CA → Portland, ME · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Cruz to Portland

About 3,216 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $9,730–$14,470, delivery in 7–14 days, 27 carriers on the Santa Cruz side and 113 in Portland.

3,216 miroad distance
56 hours (7 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$9,730–$14,4702-bedroom estimate

Photo: PhilipC · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Santa Cruz, California
To: Portland, Maine
Road distance: ≈ 3,216 miles (2,726 straight-line)
Drive time: 56 hours (7 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 27 (6 interstate)
Movers at destination: 113 (63 interstate)

Reverse: Portland → Santa Cruz

Moving from Santa Cruz to Portland is a cross-country move of roughly 3,216 road miles, heading northeast from California to Maine.

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 $9,730 to $14,470 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 7 to 14 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 56 hours (7 driving days).

On the Santa Cruz side there are 27 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (6 of them authorized for interstate work), and 113 around Portland (63 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 Portland.

Santa Cruz has a population of about 62,000 and Portland about 69,000. Santa Cruz is considerably denser (4,942 people per square mile versus 3,176), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Maine than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Santa Cruz to Portland

Full-service estimate for 3,216 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,890	$4,750	$5,790
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$5,840	$7,120	$8,680
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$9,730	$11,860	$14,470
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$15,570	$18,980	$23,160
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$21,400	$26,100	$31,840

Rental truck (DIY)

$4,500–$6,360

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

Portable container

$3,890–$5,720

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

Full-service mover

$9,730–$14,470

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Cruz, CA → Portland, ME. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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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 Santa Cruz (origin)

Lambert And Son Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Bill Lambert

USDOT: 3528657
MC: 1220611
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95065 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (831) 777-4265 Route Verify on FMCSA

Edward W Grace

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1559365
MC: 643222
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (831) 465-6865 Route Verify on FMCSA

Denise Hoselton Living Tr

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4197804
MC: 1618833
Based in: Brookdale, CA 95007 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (831) 704-6804 Route Verify on FMCSA

Delivertron

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Delivertron LLC

USDOT: 3592367
Based in: Boulder Creek, CA 95006 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (831) 293-4823 Route Verify on FMCSA

Locatelli Moving And Storage INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 1891836
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (831) 425-7775 Route Verify on FMCSA

Coast Paper & Supply

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 2666577
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (831) 423-3350 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rational Moving INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 3393511
MC: 1565780
Based in: Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (831) 425-1448 Route Verify on FMCSA

Full Load

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Robert D Joseph

USDOT: 2773290
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (831) 419-5395 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 27 movers in Santa Cruz

Near Portland (destination)

Sysco Northern New England INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 284941
MC: 1099777
Based in: Westbrook, ME 04092 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 85 trucks, 71 drivers
USDOT registered: 1987

Call (207) 871-0700 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dump Guy LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2421539
MC: 1270956
Based in: Scarborough, ME 04074 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 38 trucks, 33 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (207) 450-5858 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bisson Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 9153
MC: 237741
Based in: Westbrook, ME 04092 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 32 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (207) 514-1060 Route Verify on FMCSA

Earle W Noyes & Sons Moving Specialists

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Earle W Noyes & Son

USDOT: 51022
MC: 38092
Based in: Portland, ME 04101 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 14 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (207) 775-5876 Route Verify on FMCSA

Smart Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3486792
MC: 1146232
Based in: Gorham, ME 04038 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (833) 737-6278 Route Verify on FMCSA

B & B Towinggateway Auto LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 859406
MC: 383664
Based in: Westbrook, ME 04092 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (207) 772-4236 Route Verify on FMCSA

Local Muscle LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2162841
MC: 822854
Based in: Portland, ME 04103 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (207) 370-9090 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Tmt Portland LLC

USDOT: 2926493
MC: 987632
Based in: Westbrook, ME 04092 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (207) 835-8440 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 113 movers in Portland

Tips for this move

Expect a delivery spread of one to two weeks; plan temporary housing in Portland accordingly.
Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.
Ask about consolidated versus dedicated truck options—dedicated is faster but costs more.
Read the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet the carrier must provide.

Near Santa Cruz

Near Portland

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Cruz

Other origins to Portland

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Cruz to Portland?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,890 to $5,790 for a studio, $5,840 to $8,680 for a one-bedroom, $9,730 to $14,470 for a two-bedroom, $15,570 to $23,160 for a three-bedroom and $21,400 to $31,840 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Portland from Santa Cruz?

About 3,216 road miles (2,726 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 56 hours (7 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 7 to 14 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 California into Maine 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 Santa Cruz to Portland?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $4,500 to $6,360 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,890 to $5,720. 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 Santa Cruz–Portland corridor.