Portland
I-95, I-295 · To New York, NY: $475–$600Portland is Maine's largest city and the easiest place in the state to get a car picked up. Carriers come up I-95 from Boston regularly, and summer brings extra demand from seasonal residents.
Car Shipping in Maine: 2026 Costs, Transit Times & Vetted Carriers
Shipping a car to Portland, up to Bangor, or south to Florida for the winter. See what Maine routes cost, how long they take, and which carriers Maine shippers rate highest.
Updated Reviewed by Transportvibe Editorial Team
How much does it cost to ship a car in Maine?
Shipping a standard sedan to or from Maine costs $325–$1,850 on open transport in 2026, depending on distance. In-state moves run $350–$600, regional moves to neighboring states $425–$800, and coast-to-coast routes $1,450–$1,850. Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
- Transit time: 1–3 days in state, 7–10 days coast to coast.
- Cheapest months: January and February. Summer residents and snowbirds create sharp seasonal swings.
- Main carrier corridors: I-95, the Maine Turnpike and I-295.
- Average cost, sedan, open
- $325–$1,8502026 estimate, depends on distance
- Average transit time
- 1–10 daysPickup to delivery
- Cheapest months
- January and FebruaryLowest demand for Maine routes
- Enclosed transport adds
- 40–60%Over open-carrier price
Maine car shipping costs by route
Typical open-carrier prices for a standard sedan on the most-quoted Maine routes. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.
| Route | Distance | Open transport | Enclosed transport | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME to Los Angeles, CA | 3,150 mi | $1,450–$1,850 | $2,100–$2,950 | 7–10 days |
| Bangor, ME to Manchester, NH | 220 mi | $400–$500 | $575–$800 | 1–3 days |
| Seattle, WA to Portland, ME | 2,980 mi | $1,400–$1,800 | $2,025–$2,875 | 6–9 days |
| Portland, ME to Phoenix, AZ | 2,810 mi | $1,350–$1,725 | $1,950–$2,750 | 6–9 days |
| Denver, CO to Augusta, ME | 2,180 mi | $1,175–$1,500 | $1,700–$2,400 | 5–8 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Portland, ME | 40 mi | $325–$475 | $475–$750 | 1–3 days |
What changes the price of shipping a car in Maine
End of the line
Carriers that drive into Maine usually leave empty or partly full, because few routes continue beyond. That can make shipping into Maine more expensive than shipping to neighboring states.
Distance north
Southern Maine is well served from Boston. The farther north or east you go, toward Bangor, Down East or Aroostook County, the fewer carriers and the higher the price.
Winter
Heavy snow and ice from December through March can delay carriers and limit access to rural roads. Enclosed transport protects cars from road salt.
Seasonal residents
Summer homeowners and snowbirds create strong seasonal swings. Shipping into Maine in late spring and out in fall is busiest.
Shipping a car to and from Maine's main cities
Maine is the end of the line for I-95, which runs from Kittery through Portland and Bangor to Houlton. Most carriers stay on it.
I-95US-1
Schematic, not to scale. Tap a city to jump to it.
Bangor
I-95 · To Manchester, NH: $400–$500Bangor is the hub for northern and eastern Maine, on I-95 about two hours north of Portland. Fewer carriers reach this far north, so allow a little more time.
Augusta
I-95 · To New York, NY: $500–$625The capital sits on I-95 between Portland and Bangor. State government moves keep demand steady.
Lewiston
I-95 (Maine Turnpike) · To New York, NY: $475–$600Lewiston and Auburn sit on the Maine Turnpike north of Portland. Bates College brings student moves, and pickups here are easy.
Kittery
I-95 · To New York, NY: $425–$550Kittery is the first stop in Maine on I-95 and home to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Southern Maine pickups often schedule quickly with carriers coming from Boston.
Presque Isle
US-1 · To Manchester, NH: $475–$600Presque Isle and Aroostook County are far from the interstate network, reached by US-1 north of Houlton. Expect higher prices and longer scheduling for pickups this far north.
Highest-rated car shipping companies serving Maine
Ranked by TrustScore, using FMCSA records and reviews from people who shipped to or from Maine. Companies cannot pay to change their rank.
See every company that ships to and from Maine
Compare FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers side by side by TrustScore, verified Maine reviews, insurance and complaint history.
TrustScore weighs reputation, on-time performance, pricing accuracy, customer experience and FMCSA compliance. Companies cannot pay to change their score; sponsored placements are always labeled. How TrustScore works.
Open or enclosed transport for Maine?
Most Maine shipments go on open carriers. Choose enclosed when the car's value, finish or clearance makes road exposure a real risk.
| Open carrier | Enclosed carrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Maine price | $325–$1,850 | $475–$2,950 |
| Truck availability | High on I-95, the Maine Turnpike and I-295. Fastest scheduling in the larger metros. | Lower. Often routed through the nearest major hub, so allow extra days. |
| Protection | Exposed to weather, road grime and debris | Fully covered. Keeps road salt, sand and winter grime off the car. |
| Best for | Daily drivers, leases, used cars, most relocations | Classics, exotics, show cars, low-clearance and new luxury vehicles |
| Insurance limit (typical) | $100,000–$250,000 cargo coverage | $250,000–$1,000,000 cargo coverage |
Best time to ship a car in Maine
Typical demand for Maine routes by month. Higher demand means higher prices and longer waits for a truck.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
High demandModerateLow
Late spring and summer bring seasonal residents into Maine. Fall sends snowbirds south to Florida. Winter can slow shipments with snow, though demand is lower.
How shipping a car in Maine works
Compare quotes
Enter your pickup and delivery ZIPs. Compare companies by TrustScore, Maine reviews and price, not price alone.
Verify and book
Check the company's USDOT or MC number and insurance. Get the pickup window, price and deposit terms in writing.
Prepare the car
Remove personal items and toll tags, leave about a quarter tank, and photograph every side in daylight.
Inspect at delivery
Walk around the car with the driver and note any damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign it.
Moving to Maine with a car
What to do after your car arrives. Requirements can change, so confirm with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
- Register and title your vehicleNew residents register [VERIFY: new-resident registration deadline] through the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Bring your out-of-state title or lienholder details, ID and proof of Maine insurance.
- Switch to a Maine driver licenseHandled by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Most states expect this within the same window as registration.
- Carry Maine minimum insurance[VERIFY: minimum liability insurance limits]
- Inspections and emissionsMaine requires an annual safety inspection. Some counties also require emissions checks.
Maine car shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to Maine?
Shipping a sedan to Maine costs $325–$1,850 on an open carrier in 2026. Shorter moves within the state run about $350–$600, while cross-country routes cost $1,450–$1,850. SUVs, pickups, non-running cars and enclosed transport cost more.
How long does it take to ship a car to or from Maine?
Most Maine shipments are delivered in 1–3 days within the state, 2–5 days to neighboring states, and 7–10 days coast to coast. Add one to five days for the carrier to schedule pickup, more for rural addresses far from an interstate.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car in Maine?
The cheapest option is an open carrier with flexible pickup dates, booked two to three weeks ahead. Meeting the driver near I-95, the Maine Turnpike and I-295 instead of at a remote address usually lowers the price and shortens the wait.
Do I need to be there for pickup and delivery?
Someone aged 18 or older needs to be present at both ends to hand over or receive the keys, inspect the car with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading. It doesn't have to be you, but it should be someone you trust to note damage before signing.
Does Maine require an inspection for a car shipped from another state?
Yes. Maine requires an annual safety inspection, and some counties also require emissions checks. Have the car inspected after you register it.
Why does it cost more to ship a car to northern Maine?
Few carriers travel beyond Bangor, and those that do often return empty. Meeting the truck in Bangor or Portland can lower the price.
How do I check that a Maine car shipping company is legitimate?
Look up the company's USDOT or MC number on FMCSA and confirm its operating authority is active and insurance is on file. Then check its TrustScore and reviews from people who shipped to or from Maine. Be cautious of quotes far below market and of companies asking for a large deposit before a carrier is assigned.
Keep planning
Neighboring states
Popular Maine routes
- Maine to California
- California to Maine
- Maine to Washington
- Washington to Maine
Guides and tools
- Open vs enclosed car shipping
- How to prepare your car for shipping
- What is a Bill of Lading?
- Car shipping in every state
Ready to ship your car in Maine?
Compare quotes from FMCSA-checked companies Maine shippers trust. Free, no obligation.