Maine to Alabama Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,505 miles from Maine to Alabama usually costs between $1,109 and $1,568. Transit time is about three–nine days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Alabama to Maine car shipping guide.
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
The best Maine to Alabama car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Maine to Alabama:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Maine
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Maine who can get your vehicle to Alabama:
- Sullivan's Automotive Service, Inc.: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Xpress Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- CraftsTransport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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 Maine to Alabama
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Maine to Alabama, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 1,505 miles on your car to travel between Maine and Alabama. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Maine to Alabama for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
Ship by train
Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
Maine to Alabama auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Maine and Alabama. The average journey covers about 1,505 miles and takes roughly three to nine days.
Cost to ship a car from Portland, ME to Alabama
| From Maine to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME to Huntsville, AL | $885 – $1,425 | 1,234 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Portland, ME to Montgomery, AL | $930 – $1,404 | 1,343 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Portland, ME to Birmingham, AL | $904 – $1,369 | 1,280 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Portland, ME to Mobile, AL | $1,076 – $1,584 | 1,510 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Portland, ME to Tuscaloosa, AL | $939 – $1,493 | 1,337 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lewiston, ME to Alabama
| From Maine to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston, ME to Huntsville, AL | $931 – $1,454 | 1,267 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Montgomery, AL | $988 – $1,478 | 1,376 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Birmingham, AL | $959 – $1,434 | 1,313 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Mobile, AL | $1,043 – $1,631 | 1,543 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Tuscaloosa, AL | $998 – $1,507 | 1,369 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bangor, ME to Alabama
| From Maine to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME to Huntsville, AL | $930 – $1,419 | 1,364 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bangor, ME to Montgomery, AL | $1,064 – $1,491 | 1,472 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bangor, ME to Birmingham, AL | $1,043 – $1,506 | 1,409 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bangor, ME to Mobile, AL | $1,084 – $1,693 | 1,640 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bangor, ME to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,053 – $1,583 | 1,466 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from South Portland, ME to Alabama
| From Maine to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland, ME to Huntsville, AL | $959 – $1,482 | 1,236 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| South Portland, ME to Montgomery, AL | $949 – $1,448 | 1,345 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| South Portland, ME to Birmingham, AL | $931 – $1,439 | 1,282 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| South Portland, ME to Mobile, AL | $1,120 – $1,584 | 1,512 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| South Portland, ME to Tuscaloosa, AL | $949 – $1,537 | 1,338 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Auburn, ME to Alabama
| From Maine to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn, ME to Huntsville, AL | $904 – $1,454 | 1,264 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Auburn, ME to Montgomery, AL | $1,018 – $1,537 | 1,373 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Auburn, ME to Birmingham, AL | $930 – $1,493 | 1,310 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Auburn, ME to Mobile, AL | $1,098 – $1,615 | 1,540 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Auburn, ME to Tuscaloosa, AL | $959 – $1,552 | 1,367 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Maine to Alabama
Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.
For this route from Maine to Alabama, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $1,386–$1,960.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Maine to Alabama
When arranging car transport from the Pine Tree State to the Heart of Dixie, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Alabama.
- Distance and route: The journey from Maine to Alabama spans approximately 1,505 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Maine more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Maine and Alabama.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Maine to Alabama takes three–nine days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Alabama vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Alabama, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: When you move to Alabama with an out-of-state driver's license, you have 30 days to surrender it and obtain an Alabama license.
- Additional taxes: In Alabama, a 2% state sales tax is levied on the purchase of vehicles, including off-road motorcycles and ATVs. With the addition of city and county vehicle sales taxes, the total sales tax owed will amount to between 3.375% and 4% of the vehicle's cost.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Maine
More than 1.4 million people call Maine home. Nicknamed 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.
Transporting your vehicle to Alabama
About 5.1 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Maine and delivery in Alabama?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Maine and when dropping it off in Alabama.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Maine to Alabama?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Maine to Alabama, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Alabama, which you should verify before loading your car in Maine.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Maine to Alabama?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Maine to Alabama is about 1,505 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from Maine to Alabama.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in Maine, will I need one in Alabama?
When you move to Alabama with an out-of-state driver's license, you have 30 days to surrender it and obtain an Alabama license.
If I bought a car in Maine, will I be required to pay sales tax in Alabama after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Maine to Alabama after purchasing it.
In Alabama, a 2% state sales tax is levied on the purchase of vehicles, including off-road motorcycles and ATVs. With the addition of city and county vehicle sales taxes, the total sales tax owed will amount to between 3.375% and 4% of the vehicle's cost.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Maine and Alabama to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Maine to Alabama?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Maine to Alabama 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 Maine to Alabama?
Shipping a car from Maine to Alabama costs $1,109 to $1,568.
84 Airport Rd, Old Town, ME 04468
23 Water, St #340, Bangor, ME 04401
138 High, St Suite 172, Ellsworth, ME 04605