What Does It Cost to Move From Seattle to Portland?
Moving from Seattle to Portland typically costs between $1,200 and $3,500 for a full-service move. That's for the 173-mile trip down I-5. Studio apartments land around $1,200 to $1,800. Two-bedroom apartments run $2,000 to $2,800. Three-bedroom houses hit $2,800 to $3,500 or more.
The price depends on four things: how much stuff you have, what day you move, what services you add, and which carrier you book. Summer weekends cost more than winter Tuesdays. White-glove packing costs more than DIY boxes.
This route is one of the most common in the Pacific Northwest. Dozens of DOT-registered carriers run it weekly, so you have choices. That also means rates stay competitive if you shop around.
How Long Does the Move Take?
The drive from Seattle to Portland is about 3 hours without stops. But a moving truck takes longer. Most carriers schedule 5 to 7 hours for pickup, drive time, and delivery on the same day. Add another hour if you live outside the downtown cores.
If you have a large home (3+ bedrooms) or complicated access (walk-ups, long carries, elevator waits), the crew might split the job across two days. Pickup happens on day one, delivery the next morning. That's less common on this short route, but it happens.
Same-day delivery is standard for Seattle to Portland. The crew loads your stuff in Seattle in the morning, drives south, and unloads in Portland by late afternoon. You can usually follow them in your car and arrive around the same time.
Breaking Down the Cost
Here's what you're paying for:
- Labor: Crew time to load and unload. Most carriers charge by the hour for short moves like this. Expect 4 to 6 hours of labor total.
- Transportation: Truck, fuel, tolls. The I-5 corridor has no tolls, but fuel is baked into the rate.
- Insurance: Basic coverage is required under 49 CFR § 375. Full-value protection costs extra but covers replacement cost if something breaks.
- Packing: Optional. Professional packing runs $300 to $800 depending on home size. DIY packing saves money but takes time.
- Materials: Boxes, tape, paper, mattress bags. Some movers include this, some charge separately. Budget $100 to $200 if you're buying your own.
Most quotes bundle labor and transportation into a flat rate or hourly rate plus mileage. Ask for a line-item breakdown so you know what you're paying for.
Studio or One-Bedroom Apartment
Expect $1,200 to $1,800. This assumes you have a couch, bed, small table, and 30 to 50 boxes. A two-person crew can usually handle this in 4 to 5 hours, including drive time.
If you live in a building with an elevator or parking restrictions, mention that when you get a quote. It can add an hour and $100 to $200 to the job.
Two-Bedroom Apartment
Plan for $2,000 to $2,800. This is the most common size for this route. You're looking at a three-person crew and 5 to 6 hours total. Check out our two-bedroom moving cost guide for a deeper breakdown.
If you have heavy items (piano, gun safe, large appliances), add $200 to $400. Carriers charge extra for specialty items that require rigging or extra hands.
Three-Bedroom House
Budget $2,800 to $3,500. Larger homes often need a four-person crew and 7 to 8 hours. If you have a garage full of tools, a home office, or outdoor furniture, you might push into the $4,000 range.
Stairs add cost. If your Portland house has a second story and your Seattle place didn't (or vice versa), the crew will spend more time on stairs. That adds labor hours.
When to Move: Timing and Seasons
Seattle to Portland is busy May through September. That's peak moving season in the Pacific Northwest. Rates go up 15% to 30% in summer, and weekends book out weeks in advance.
If you can move October through April, you'll save money and get more carrier availability. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends year-round. Tuesday and Wednesday are the sweet spot.
Give yourself 4 to 6 weeks of lead time if you're moving in summer. Two weeks is usually enough in winter, but more time gives you more carrier options and better rates.
Our 8-week moving countdown walks through the full timeline, but here's the short version:
- 6 weeks out: Get quotes, compare carriers, book your date.
- 4 weeks out: Start packing non-essentials. Order boxes if you're DIY packing.
- 2 weeks out: Confirm with your carrier, update address with USPS, arrange utilities in Portland.
- 1 week out: Pack everything except daily essentials. Check our kitchen packing guide if you're doing it yourself.
- Move day: Follow our move day morning routine to stay on track.
What to Know About the Seattle to Portland Route
I-5 is the main artery. It's a straight shot, but traffic around Joint Base Lewis-McChord (between Tacoma and Olympia) can slow things down during rush hour. Most carriers plan around that and schedule pickups early.
Both cities have parking restrictions in dense neighborhoods. If you live in Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, or Fremont in Seattle (or the Pearl District, Alberta Arts, or Hawthorne in Portland), the crew might need a parking permit or loading zone reservation. Ask your carrier if they handle that or if you need to arrange it.
Seattle has a 2% moving tax on intrastate moves, but this is an interstate move (Washington to Oregon), so that doesn't apply. No state income tax in Washington, but Oregon has it, so factor that into your overall relocation budget if you're changing jobs.
Interstate vs Intrastate Regulations
This move crosses state lines, so it falls under FMCSA jurisdiction (49 CFR Part 375). That means your carrier must be DOT-registered, provide a written estimate, and offer basic liability coverage. Intrastate moves (staying within one state) follow different rules.
You can verify any carrier's DOT registration at this FMCSA lookup guide. goCubify only works with DOT-vetted carriers, but it's smart to double-check if you're booking elsewhere.
Reducing Your Moving Cost
Here are the levers you can pull:
- Purge before you pack. The less you move, the less you pay. Our Smart Leave guide helps you decide what to ship and what to replace. Moving a $40 lamp 173 miles might cost more than buying a new one in Portland.
- DIY packing. Professional packing is convenient but adds $300 to $800. If you have time, pack yourself and save.
- Flexible dates. Weekdays and off-season moves are cheaper. If your lease allows it, avoid July and August.
- Compare quotes. Get at least three estimates. Rates vary by hundreds of dollars for the same job.
- Reduce specialty items. Pianos, safes, and hot tubs cost extra. If you can sell and replace, you might come out ahead.
goCubify's Smart Leave feature scans your home and flags items that cost more to move than replace. It's especially helpful for this distance, where the math is close on bulky, low-value stuff.
Booking Your Move
Most people book with a broker who farms the job out to a carrier. That adds a layer and can cause confusion on move day when a crew you've never heard of shows up.
The cleaner approach: book directly with a DOT-registered carrier or use a platform that only works with vetted carriers. goCubify does the latter. You scan your home with your phone, get a binding quote, and book a carrier from our vetted network. No broker middleman, no surprise charges. See how it works.
When you get quotes, ask:
- Is this a binding estimate or an estimate subject to change?
- What's included (labor, materials, insurance)?
- Who's doing the actual move (the company I'm talking to, or a subcontractor)?
- What's the cancellation policy?
- Do you charge extra for stairs, long carries, or parking waits?
If the quote feels too low, it probably is. Lowball estimates are a red flag. A legitimate carrier will give you a realistic number based on your inventory.
What to Cancel Before You Move
Seattle and Portland both have local services you'll need to shut down or transfer:
- Seattle City Light or your electric provider
- Internet (CenturyLink, Xfinity, Ziply Fiber)
- Water and sewer (Seattle Public Utilities)
- Portland General Electric or Pacific Power in Portland
- Garbage and recycling services
Our cancellation checklist covers the full list, including gym memberships, subscriptions, and mail forwarding.
Portland-Specific Considerations
Portland's rental market is tighter than Seattle's right now, so lock in your housing early. Most landlords want proof of income at 2.5x to 3x the rent.
Parking in Portland is easier than Seattle in most neighborhoods, but street parking downtown is metered and enforced. If you're moving into the Pearl or South Waterfront, coordinate with your building for loading dock or elevator reservations.
Oregon charges no sales tax, so buying furniture or household goods after you arrive saves you 10% compared to Seattle's sales tax. If you're on the fence about moving or replacing an item, waiting until you're in Portland might make sense.
Move Day Logistics
Confirm with your carrier two days before the move. Verify pickup window, crew size, and payment terms. Most carriers want cash, card, or certified check on delivery.
Walk through your Seattle place with the crew before they load. Point out anything fragile, valuable, or tricky (wall-mounted TVs, disassembled furniture, plants). Take photos of high-value items before they're wrapped.
When the crew arrives in Portland, walk through again as they unload. Check boxes for damage. If something's broken, note it on the delivery paperwork before you sign. You have nine months to file a claim under FMCSA rules, but documenting damage immediately makes the process smoother.
If you have pets, check out our pet-friendly move day guide for setup tips. Keeping a dog or cat calm during load and unload helps the crew work faster.
Final Thought
Seattle to Portland is a straightforward move. It's short enough for same-day delivery, long enough to justify hiring professionals, and common enough that you have plenty of carrier options. The key is getting accurate quotes, booking early if you're moving in summer, and purging stuff you don't need before you pack.
If you want a binding quote without the back-and-forth, try goCubify. Scan your place, see the cost, book the carrier. The whole thing takes ten minutes.