8 Best Car Shipping Companies in Maine (2026 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by:
Quick answer: We picked Nexus Auto Transport as the best car shipping company in Maine for its strong balance of price, service quality, and customer reviews. Our team gave them 4.7 out of 5 stars. Cost depends mainly on distance and transport type, but you'll pay between $650 and $1,372 to ship your car from Maine.
Maine car shipping facts
- 66% of Maine auto shipping companies rely on open transport, the most widely used and cost-efficient option.
- Meanwhile, 66% of car transporters in Maine provide enclosed shipping for extra security.
- Nationwide, only 28% of carriers guarantee delivery dates, though no Maine shippers offer that guarantee. For dependable scheduling, consider Nexus Auto Transport.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best car shipping companies in Maine
Our team has spent more than 400 hours assessing 612 car shipping providers nationwide, including 3 in Maine. We verify every detail so the information we share stays reliable and unbiased, giving you clear guidance on the best car shipping companies in your area.
Planning to ship your car from Portland or anywhere else in Maine? Check out our top choices for reliable auto shippers below:
Nexus Auto Transport
http://www.nexusautotransport.com
Nexus Auto Transport, established in 2015, has rapidly become a trusted name in vehicle shipping across the US. With a network of more than 30,000 carriers, they offer services in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. They offer open and enclosed transport, expedited shipping, and door-to-door delivery, as well as discounts for multi-vehicle shipments, cash payments, students, military members, and seniors, among others. Their Moving Season Package includes special deals and services catered to residential and commercial relocations. Customers appreciate their transparent pricing, real-time tracking, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Nexus boasts high customer satisfaction ratings, with an average of 4.7 stars across various platforms. Their user-friendly online quote system provides instant estimates, and a refundable $25 deposit secures your booking.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Live shipment tracking
- Fast, no-hassle quotes
- Door-to-door pickup
- Competitive discounts
Cons
- No international shipping
- Pay more with debit/credit card
Services Offered
- Door-to-door deliveries
- Open and enclosed trailers
- Hawaii/Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Sherpa Auto Transport
https://www.sherpaautotransport.com
Sherpa Auto Transport is known for providing competitive pricing and strong communication throughout the car shipping process. Available in the Lower 48, Sherpa guarantees you won’t pay more than you are quoted, so you don’t have to worry about any hidden fees or other price changes. The company ships standard passenger cars, trucks, and SUVS, and can provide expedited transport, if needed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price Lock Promise keeps pricing fixed
- Pay by credit card available
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- $100k in cargo insurance
- Will ship inoperable vehicles as long as they can brake, roll and steer
- Ship cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans
Cons
- Online instant quote not available
- Cars only. Cannot ship boats, motorcycles, RVs, or trailers
- No international shipping
- No shipping to Alaska or Hawaii
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Insured shipping
Navi Auto Transport
https://naviautotransport.com
Navi Auto Transport is an experienced vehicle shipping company offering nationwide service across the US, including door-to-door delivery and both open and enclosed transport options. Known for its reliable scheduling and attentive customer support, Navi has earned strong customer satisfaction ratings, with many reviewers highlighting the company's transparent pricing and consistent communication. They offer instant online quotes, and their expedited shipping option makes them a solid choice for time-sensitive moves.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price match policy
- Quick turnaround
- Discounts
- White-glove transport
- 24/7 tracking
Cons
- Limited international shipping
- No guaranteed pickup date
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
SGT Auto Transport
http://sgtautotransport.com
SGT Auto Transport is a top-rated long-distance vehicle shipper available in every state except Alaska. SGT Auto offers open or enclosed carriers for cars and motorcycles, and provides door-to-door service standard in the contiguous U.S. Get a free quote easily and quickly online, and be sure to ask about SGT’s price-matching guarantee and discounts for military members, students, and senior citizens.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open and enclosed auto transport options available
- Car shipping to Hawaii
- Motorcycle shipping available
- Free cancellation
- Full insurance coverage included in the price
- Nothing to pay up front
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Limited international shipping
- Doesn't ship RVs
- No digital tracking
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Long-distance and international shipping
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Ship A Car Direct
https://shipacardirect.com
Ship A Car Direct works with a widespread network of carriers to provide long-distance auto transport with quick turnaround times for cars, trucks, and SUVs. This highly-rated company also provides a Damage-Free Guarantee, which is a free contingent insurance policy that covers up to $500 of your deductible if a carrier's cargo insurance falls short. Ship A Car Direct is a great choice if you’re in a rush, since they can easily handle last-minute requests.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Home of the industry’s only 'Damage Free Guarantee'
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- Expedited Shipping Available
- Pay by credit card available
- Ship an additional 100lbs in the car for Free
- $500 complimentary damage or loss coverage
- Rental car assistance should transport take more than 14 days
Cons
- Quotes expire sometimes within 1 week
- Do not ship boats or heavy equipment
- No international shipping
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Xpress Auto Transport
23 Water, St #340, Bangor, ME, 04401
https://xpressautoship.com
Xpress Auto Transport (DOT: 3878126) offers fully insured interstate and international vehicle shipping, including enclosed and open transport, expedited delivery, and shipment tracking.
It also ships motorcycles, boats, RVs, trailers, heavy equipment, classic cars, electric vehicles, and multiple vehicles at once.
The company has yet to establish ratings on Yelp, Google, or BBB.
However, it does not transport cars that do not run, offer guaranteed delivery, or provide senior, military, student, teacher, or law enforcement discounts.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Deposit Required
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
Sullivan's Automotive Service, Inc.
84 Airport Rd, Old Town, ME, 04468
https://www.sullivansauto.com
Sullivan's Automotive Service, Inc. (DOT: 541179) provides interstate vehicle shipping with open and enclosed transport options, including service for cars that don't run and multi-car shipments.
The company also offers a damage-free guarantee, trailer and heavy-equipment shipping, and accepts credit card payments.
The company has yet to establish ratings on Yelp or BBB, while it holds a 3.8 rating on Google.
Some customers may see the lack of shipment tracking, expedited delivery, and guaranteed delivery as a downside.
Services Offered
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Open Transport
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
CraftsTransport
138 High, St Suite 172, Ellsworth, ME, 04605
http://www.craftstransport.com
CraftsTransport provides interstate car shipping services and accepts both credit card and money order payments.
The company requires a deposit to book shipments.
CraftsTransport does not offer shipment tracking, enclosed transport, or coverage for cars that do not run, which may be a downside for some customers.
It has a 4.1 rating on Google, while ratings on Yelp and the BBB are not available.
Services Offered
- Deposit Required
- Pay by Credit Card
- Pay by Money Order
- Interstate
Average cost of transporting a car out of ME
Shipping a car out of Maine runs between $650 and $1,372. But keep in mind, prices can vary depending on how far you're going and which transport method you use.
- Short-distance shipments (under 500 miles): $535 - $846
- Medium-distance shipments (500 - 1,500 miles): $854 - $1,194
- Long-distance shipments (over 1,500 miles): $1,125 - $1,288
For example:
| Route | Open | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Maine to Georgia | $1,197 | $1,667 |
| Maine to Ohio | $926 | $1,554 |
| Maine to Texas | $1,501 | $2,301 |
| Maine to California | $1,804 | $2,821 |
| Maine to Illinois | $1,106 | $1,642 |
| Michigan to Maine | $968 | $1,415 |
| North Carolina to Maine | $966 | $1,483 |
| Florida to Maine | $1,303 | $1,881 |
| New York to Maine | $732 | $946 |
| Arizona to Maine | $1,752 | $2,528 |
What affects car shipping costs from Maine
- Your move distance: Shipping within Maine or to neighboring states costs less than a long cross-country haul.
- Location: Shipping from a rural part of Maine often costs more, since carriers may need to detour off major routes to reach you. Pickups near Portland or other well-traveled corridors usually mean a lower rate.
- Your car's make, model, and year: Compact cars cost less to ship. Classic or specialty vehicles from Maine cost more, since they need extra care in transit. Only 33% of Maine shippers handle classic cars, so ask upfront if yours needs special handling.
- Shipping options in the Pine Tree State: 66% of Maine auto transporters offer open transport, and 66% offer enclosed transport. Open-air costs less, but enclosed transport protects your car from Maine's unpredictable weather for a higher price.
- Gas prices: Fuel costs in Maine factor into your total price, especially on longer routes. The average price is about $3.03 per gallon right now.
- Delivery time frame: You'll pay more for car shipping if you need a guaranteed delivery date or expedited service.
- Seasonality: Prices tend to climb during peak car shipping season, roughly May through October, when demand is highest. Booking in the fall or winter can work in your favor, though weather-related delays are more common during those months.
- Discounts: In Maine, 3 companies offer other discounts, and many also discount multi-vehicle shipments. Check out our full guide on car shipping discounts to learn more.
For a more accurate quote, use our car shipping calculator. You can also check out all the popular Maine car shipping routes.
How to ship a car from Maine
Follow these steps to compare auto transport companies and book a reliable car shipper in Maine.
- Estimate your shipping cost. Use the moveBuddha car shipping calculator to estimate your route and vehicle type. Shipping a car out of Maine typically costs $650 - $1,372, though distance, transport type, and season all affect the final quote.
- Choose open vs enclosed transport. Open transport is the most affordable option for standard vehicles. Enclosed transport costs more but protects luxury, classic, or high-value cars from weather and road debris. This is especially relevant given Maine's weather patterns.
- Verify MC/DOT licensing. Ask every carrier for their motor carrier (MC) and USDOT numbers, then verify them on the FMCSA carrier lookup. Legitimate auto transport companies must be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Compare shippers and get 3+ quotes. Compare at least three of the 3 car shippers moveBuddha tracks in Maine. Request written quotes that specify open vs enclosed transport, pickup windows, and insurance coverage before you book.
- Book an off-peak ship date. Book early and avoid peak summer windows when you can. In Maine, in-state car shipping usually takes 1 - 3 days, while longer interstate routes often require 7 - 14 days.
FAQs
Does weather in Maine impact car shipping?
Severe weather can significantly influence the cost to ship your vehicle out of Maine. Maine has a humid continental climate. with warm and sometimes humid summers, and long, cold and very snowy winters. Winters are especially severe in the Northern and Western parts of Maine, while coastal areas are moderated slightly by the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in marginally milder winters and cooler summers than inland regions.
Do Maine car shippers handle motorcycles, RVs, or other specialty vehicles?
Yes, plenty of Maine shippers handle specialty vehicles. 33% ship motorcycles. 33% ship RVs. 33% ship boats. Ask about your specific vehicle when requesting quotes.
How long do I have to update my drivers license in Maine?
New residents of Maine are required to obtain a new state license within 30 days of establishing residency. If you are moving to Maine and possess a valid or recently expired (within the past 5 years) out-of-state driver's license from another US state, you can obtain a Class C license, including a REAL ID license, by visiting a Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Maine?
In Maine, drivers must carry a minimum liability coverage of 50/100/25, requiring $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for all injuries per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, as per car insurance laws.
Are Maine car shippers insured against damage?
33% of car shippers in Maine are fully insured, and 33% offer a damage-free guarantee. Always ask for proof of insurance before booking.
