Alabama to Maine Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 1,506 miles from Alabama to Maine falls between $1,089 and $1,619. Delivery typically takes three–nine days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • Refundable deposit
  • Discounts available
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.4 / 5
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  • Price matching
  • One-day pickup

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Maine to Alabama car shipping guide.

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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
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The best Alabama to Maine car shipping companies

Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Alabama to Maine:

Best for Real-Time Tracking
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.7 / 5
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking
  • Instant online quotes
  • Economy option
  • Ships nationwide
  • Easy online scheduling
read our full review
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
read our full review
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best for Exact Pickup Dates
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Get a quote (864) 492-1221
Best Insurance Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Get a quote (866) 563-0804
At A Glance
  • Damage-free guarantee
  • $500 damage or loss coverage
  • No deposit
  • Rental car assistance
  • Inoperable car shipping
read our full review
Get a quote (866) 563-0804

Top local car shippers in Alabama

Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Alabama ready to move your vehicle to Maine:

  1. US AutoLogistics: 3.52 out of 5 stars
  2. Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  3. Vehicle Transport Services: 3.5 out of 5 stars

US AutoLogistics

3101 Messer Airport Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35203 US

starstarstarstarstar3.52 / 5.0
Get a Quote (800) 235-7002

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • Insured shipping

Additional Information

Global Auto Transportation

1101 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 5.0

The company generally provides responsive service with competitive pricing and timely vehicle deliveries, though some customers experienced issues with customer service and communication during the process.

Get a Quote (888) 803-0501

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Shipment tracking
  • Expedited delivery
  • Multi-car transport
  • Classic cars
  • Trailers
  • Motorcycles
  • Boats

Additional Information

Vehicle Transport Services

2700 Corporate Dr Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35242 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 5.0

Vehicle Transport Services Birmingham has garnered positive feedback for their excellent shipping service and overall customer satisfaction. However, there are notable concerns about their customer support being unhelpful and lacking adequate time to address customer inquiries regarding future shipments.

Get a Quote (205) 623-3232

Services Offered

  • Door-to-door service
  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • International shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Shipment tracking
  • Expedited delivery
  • Multi-car transport
  • Classic cars
  • RVs
  • Motorcycles

Additional Information

How we chose the best car shipping companies

We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.

Here’s what we considered:

  • Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
  • Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
  • Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
  • Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
  • Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.

Alternative ways to ship your car from Alabama to Maine

Ship it with your movers

If you’re planning a move from Alabama to Maine, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts

Drive it yourself

This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 1,506 miles on your car to travel between Alabama and Maine. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.

Hire a driver

Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Alabama to Maine. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.

Ship by train

If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!

Alabama to Maine auto transport costs and transit times

Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in Alabama and Maine. The typical distance is about 1,506 miles, with shipping times generally falling between three and nine days.

Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to Maine

From Alabama to Maine Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Huntsville, AL to Portland, ME $924 – $1,386 1,228 miles 2 – 8 days
Huntsville, AL to Lewiston, ME $915 – $1,486 1,258 miles 3 – 8 days
Huntsville, AL to Bangor, ME $971 – $1,481 1,356 miles 3 – 8 days
Huntsville, AL to South Portland, ME $896 – $1,357 1,229 miles 2 – 8 days
Huntsville, AL to Auburn, ME $971 – $1,443 1,265 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to Maine

From Alabama to Maine Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Montgomery, AL to Portland, ME $1,040 – $1,496 1,336 miles 3 – 8 days
Montgomery, AL to Lewiston, ME $991 – $1,421 1,366 miles 3 – 8 days
Montgomery, AL to Bangor, ME $1,098 – $1,634 1,462 miles 3 – 8 days
Montgomery, AL to South Portland, ME $1,001 – $1,481 1,335 miles 3 – 8 days
Montgomery, AL to Auburn, ME $941 – $1,466 1,364 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Maine

From Alabama to Maine Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Birmingham, AL to Portland, ME $915 – $1,457 1,281 miles 3 – 8 days
Birmingham, AL to Lewiston, ME $941 – $1,451 1,303 miles 3 – 8 days
Birmingham, AL to Bangor, ME $1,024 – $1,494 1,401 miles 3 – 8 days
Birmingham, AL to South Portland, ME $896 – $1,486 1,274 miles 3 – 8 days
Birmingham, AL to Auburn, ME $1,010 – $1,466 1,310 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Maine

From Alabama to Maine Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Mobile, AL to Portland, ME $1,134 – $1,540 1,501 miles 3 – 9 days
Mobile, AL to Lewiston, ME $1,134 – $1,524 1,531 miles 3 – 9 days
Mobile, AL to Bangor, ME $1,190 – $1,664 1,629 miles 3 – 9 days
Mobile, AL to South Portland, ME $1,145 – $1,619 1,502 miles 3 – 9 days
Mobile, AL to Auburn, ME $1,111 – $1,651 1,530 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to Maine

From Alabama to Maine Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Tuscaloosa, AL to Portland, ME $951 – $1,571 1,331 miles 3 – 8 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Lewiston, ME $991 – $1,451 1,361 miles 3 – 8 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Bangor, ME $1,098 – $1,525 1,466 miles 3 – 8 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to South Portland, ME $1,001 – $1,466 1,339 miles 3 – 8 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Auburn, ME $951 – $1,526 1,360 miles 3 – 8 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to Maine

Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.

If you’re moving one from Alabama to Maine, expect costs to range from $1,361 to $2,024.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from Alabama to Maine

If you’re shipping a car from the Heart of Dixie to the Pine Tree State, keep these cost factors in mind:

  • Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
  • Vehicle size and type: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Maine.
  • Distance and route: Traveling from Alabama to Maine involves roughly 1,506 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
  • Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Alabama in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
  • Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Alabama and Maine and the varying gas prices across the country.
  • Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes three–nine days, while expedited service costs more.

Maine vehicle regulations you need to know

Once you arrive in Maine, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.

  • Car insurance requirements: 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.
  • Vehicle inspection: The State of Maine requires annual safety inspections for all vehicles used on public roads to ensure they are in proper working condition and safe to operate. Safety inspections in Maine can be carried out at any official service station of the Maine Department of Transportation.
  • Driver’s license: 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.
  • Additional taxes: Maine requires registered car owners to pay an annual excise tax for motor vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, and stock vehicles. This tax is calculated by multiplying the current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the vehicle by the mileage rate.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Alabama

More than 5.1 million people call Alabama home. Nicknamed the Heart of Dixie. Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to Alabama.

Transporting your vehicle to Maine

About 1.4 million people are living in the Pine Tree State. 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.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Alabama and delivery in Maine?

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Alabama and when dropping it off in Maine.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to Maine?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Alabama to Maine, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Maine, which you should verify before loading your car in Alabama.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Alabama state government requires motorists possess liability insurance, which must provide a minimum coverage of 25/50/25. This specification includes coverage for bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage per accident.

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.

How long does it take to ship a car from Alabama to Maine?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to Maine is about 1,506 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from Alabama to Maine.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

In Alabama, a safety inspection must be completed prior to selling a vehicle and a VIN inspection is mandatory when registering an out-of-state vehicle. Emissions inspections are not required by the state, though cities and municipalities may have their own laws mandating them.

The State of Maine requires annual safety inspections for all vehicles used on public roads to ensure they are in proper working condition and safe to operate. Safety inspections in Maine can be carried out at any official service station of the Maine Department of Transportation.

If I have a driver’s license in Alabama, will I need one 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.

If I bought a car in Alabama, will I be required to pay sales tax in Maine after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Alabama to Maine after purchasing it.

Maine requires registered car owners to pay an annual excise tax for motor vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, and stock vehicles. This tax is calculated by multiplying the current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the vehicle by the mileage rate.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Alabama and Maine to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Maine?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Maine is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Alabama to Maine?

Shipping a car from Alabama to Maine costs $1,089 to $1,619.

Helpful Alabama resources