Maine to California Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 3,239 miles from Maine to California usually costs between $1,519 and $2,281. Transit time is about seven–fifteen 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 California 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 California car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Maine to California:
- 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
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove 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
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Maine that can relocate your vehicle to California:
- 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
Sullivan's Automotive Service, Inc.
84 Airport Rd, Old Town, ME 04468
sullivansauto.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Trailers
- Heavy equipment
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 541179
Xpress Auto Transport
23 Water, St #340, Bangor, ME 04401
xpressautoship.com/city/bangor-maine
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 3878126
CraftsTransport
138 High, St Suite 172, Ellsworth, ME 04605
craftstransport.com/index.html
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Interstate shipping
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
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 California
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Maine for a move to California, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 3,239 extra miles on your car to travel from Maine to California. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Maine to California, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
Maine to California auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Maine and California. Average distances are close to 3,239 miles, with delivery usually taking seven–fifteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Portland, ME to California
| From Maine to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME to Los Angeles, CA | $1,490 – $2,399 | 3,081 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Portland, ME to San Diego, CA | $1,564 – $2,399 | 3,136 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Portland, ME to San Jose, CA | $1,445 – $2,376 | 3,225 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Portland, ME to Bakersfield, CA | $1,445 – $2,305 | 3,096 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Portland, ME to San Francisco, CA | $1,415 – $2,328 | 3,193 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lewiston, ME to California
| From Maine to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston, ME to Los Angeles, CA | $1,549 – $2,446 | 3,114 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Lewiston, ME to San Diego, CA | $1,490 – $2,258 | 3,130 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Lewiston, ME to San Jose, CA | $1,460 – $2,423 | 3,257 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Bakersfield, CA | $1,415 – $2,305 | 3,128 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Lewiston, ME to San Francisco, CA | $1,490 – $2,423 | 3,226 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bangor, ME to California
| From Maine to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME to Los Angeles, CA | $1,445 – $2,305 | 3,210 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bangor, ME to San Diego, CA | $1,549 – $2,470 | 3,265 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bangor, ME to San Jose, CA | $1,534 – $2,423 | 3,354 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bangor, ME to Bakersfield, CA | $1,549 – $2,376 | 3,226 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bangor, ME to San Francisco, CA | $1,504 – $2,446 | 3,322 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from South Portland, ME to California
| From Maine to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland, ME to Los Angeles, CA | $1,460 – $2,423 | 3,083 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| South Portland, ME to San Diego, CA | $1,460 – $2,376 | 3,137 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| South Portland, ME to San Jose, CA | $1,519 – $2,352 | 3,227 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| South Portland, ME to Bakersfield, CA | $1,534 – $2,352 | 3,098 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| South Portland, ME to San Francisco, CA | $1,415 – $2,446 | 3,194 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Auburn, ME to California
| From Maine to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn, ME to Los Angeles, CA | $1,534 – $2,399 | 3,110 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Auburn, ME to San Diego, CA | $1,460 – $2,281 | 3,128 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Auburn, ME to San Jose, CA | $1,564 – $2,258 | 3,255 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Auburn, ME to Bakersfield, CA | $1,460 – $2,305 | 3,127 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Auburn, ME to San Francisco, CA | $1,534 – $2,376 | 3,223 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Maine to California
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 Maine to California, expect costs to range from $1,899 to $2,851.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Maine to California
When moving your vehicle from the Pine Tree State to the Golden State, several factors can affect the total shipping 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 and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Maine to California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Maine to California spans approximately 3,239 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Maine, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Maine and California.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Maine to California should take between seven and fifteen days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
California vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to California means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- Car insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
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 California
About 39.0 million people are living in the Golden State. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Maine and delivery in California?
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 California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Maine to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Maine to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, 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.
The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
How long does it take to ship a car from Maine to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Maine to California is about 3,239 miles, and that’s as fast as about 7 days. However, most car transport companies will take seven to fifteen days to travel from Maine to California.
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.
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
If I have a driver’s license in Maine, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Maine, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Maine to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Maine and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Maine to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Maine to California 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 California?
Shipping a car from Maine to California costs $1,519 to $2,281.
