($1,618) Cost to ship a car from Portland, ME to Boise, ID
Quick answer: Shipping a car 2,758 miles from Portland, Maine, to Boise, Idaho, typically costs between $1,618 and $2,436. Final pricing depends on details like your vehicle type, shipping method, and the time of year. For personalized pricing, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Boise to Portland car shipping guide.
Our track record
The best Portland to Boise car shipping companies
We’ve done the research, and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Portland to Boise:
- Best for Real-Time Tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for Budget-Conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Portland
If you’d rather work with a local car shipper than a national one, check out the leading car shipping companies in Portland, ME:
- Intercity Lines Inc: 4.42 out of 5 stars
- Fisher Shipping Company: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Beacon Shipping Logistics Inc: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Rust Auto Shippers: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Ck5 Transport Svc Llc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
Car shipping alternatives from ME to ID
Relocating from Portland to Boise means figuring out the best way to move your car, too. Here are the most popular car shipping options to consider, along with the pros and cons of each.
Coordinate with your movers
If you’re moving from Portland to Boise, many of the best interstate movers work with trusted car shipping companies. They can coordinate your vehicle transport as part of the full-service moving package, but you’ll be limited to their chosen provider and pricing.
Drive your car
There are plenty of pros and cons to consider before driving instead of shipping your car. A 2,758-mile trip from Portland to Boise could turn into a fun travel experience and reduce expenses. Still, you’ll add significant mileage and could encounter bad weather and driving conditions.
Use a driving service
Having a driver transport your car from Maine to Idaho is also an option, but it doesn’t come cheap. You’ll need to trust that the driver can deliver your car safely from Portland to Boise. Plus, the trip inevitably adds wear and mileage to your vehicle.
Ship your car via train
Shipping a car by train is a cost-effective and safe way to transport your vehicle to Boise, particularly if you’re already planning to move your household belongings by rail. In fact, it is the cheapest way to ship your car! Keep in mind that this method offers no real flexibility in terms of pickup and drop-off locations and will take longer than using a car shipper or driving.
Factors affecting Portland to Boise car shipping costs
The price to ship your car from Portland to Boise can vary. Here are the main factors that determine the cost:
Transport method
There are a few ways to ship your car from Portland to Boise, including open carriers, enclosed shipping, or top-loaded service. Your best bet depends on your priorities.
Open carriers are the cheapest option, while enclosed shipping is best for safeguarding luxury or classic vehicles. If you’re unsure which transport type fits your move to Boise, our comparison guide can help.
Vehicle size and type
Vehicle size plays a major role in determining your shipping costs from Portland. Larger models add both bulk and weight to the trailer, raising the overall expense. So, moving a full-size SUV to Boise will be more expensive than shipping a compact vehicle.
Distance and route
Basically, longer distances mean higher shipping prices. Extra miles drive up fuel usage, labor hours, tolls, and maintenance costs. So moving your car 2,758 miles from Portland to Boise will almost always cost more than a shorter in-state trip in Maine.
Location also affects the cost. Shipments along common interstate routes are typically cheaper, while hard-to-reach destinations add to the price.
The time of the year
Car shipping prices fluctuate with the seasons and the weather in both Portland and Boise.
August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Portland, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
Boise experiences hot and dry summers and winters are moderately cold.
During busy moving periods—such as summertime or around winter holidays—demand spikes, and so do costs. Moving your car from Portland to Boise during these times can be more expensive.
Fuel prices
Fuel price fluctuations can greatly influence transport costs. This is a critical factor given the 2,758-mile distance between Portland and Boise and the varying fuel prices across different regions. When fuel prices are high, shipping costs will rise accordingly.
Delivery expectations
By allowing more flexibility with your delivery window, you could secure discounted rates from your shipper. The process of moving a car from Portland to Boise usually takes seven–fifteen days. Flexible timing helps keep costs down, while expedited shipping shortens the wait for an extra fee.
Comparing Portland and Boise vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Portland:
- Boise: Unless otherwise posted, parking regulations are enforced at all times. This includes time-restricted parking (like loading zones and 1 or 2-hour parking) Prepay on Friday evenings after enforcement hours for the following morning, or on Saturday mornings before enforcement hours begin. You can use a credit card, coins or the Parkmobile app.
Car insurance requirements
- Portland: 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.
- Boise: Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
Vehicle inspections
- Portland: 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.
- Boise: In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.
Driver’s license
- Portland: 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.
- Boise: If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Portland to Boise?
The cost to ship a car from Portland, ME to Boise, ID varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed car shipping), vehicle size and weight, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from Portland to Boise will range from $1,618 to $2,436.
How long will it take to ship my car from Portland to Boise?
It will take approximately seven to fifteen days to ship your car the 2,758 miles from Portland to Boise. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Portland to Boise?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Portland to Boise. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.
Is it cheaper to ship my car or drive it from Portland to Boise?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Portland to Boise than to ship it. However, when deciding whether to drive your car or ship it, you need to factor in related costs like maintenance fees that could result from the additional wear-and-tear on your vehicle during the 2,758-mile trip. Long-distance trips also involve food and possibly lodging, which can add up quickly.
We recommend that you reach out to at least a few of the top car shippers to ask about seasonal rates and auto transport discounts. You can also use our car shipping calculator to quickly generate and compare quotes from multiple companies.