Maine to North Carolina Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 955 miles from Maine to North Carolina falls between $789 and $1,273. Delivery typically takes two–seven 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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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our North Carolina 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 North Carolina car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Maine to North Carolina:
- 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'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Maine that can transport your vehicle to North Carolina:
- 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 North Carolina
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Maine to North Carolina, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange 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 955 extra miles on your car to travel from Maine to North Carolina. 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 North Carolina, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
Maine to North Carolina auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Maine and North Carolina. The average travel distance is about 955 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Portland, ME to North Carolina
| From Maine to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME to Charlotte, NC | $767 – $1,213 | 944 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Portland, ME to Raleigh, NC | $747 – $1,212 | 821 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Portland, ME to Greensboro, NC | $763 – $1,186 | 852 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Portland, ME to Durham, NC | $762 – $1,108 | 801 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Portland, ME to Winston-Salem, NC | $797 – $1,261 | 879 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lewiston, ME to North Carolina
| From Maine to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston, ME to Charlotte, NC | $779 – $1,209 | 977 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Raleigh, NC | $810 – $1,222 | 856 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Greensboro, NC | $820 – $1,249 | 885 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Durham, NC | $798 – $1,124 | 833 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Winston-Salem, NC | $822 – $1,262 | 911 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bangor, ME to North Carolina
| From Maine to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME to Charlotte, NC | $808 – $1,305 | 1,073 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Bangor, ME to Raleigh, NC | $766 – $1,286 | 950 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bangor, ME to Greensboro, NC | $803 – $1,221 | 982 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bangor, ME to Durham, NC | $751 – $1,287 | 930 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bangor, ME to Winston-Salem, NC | $768 – $1,192 | 1,008 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from South Portland, ME to North Carolina
| From Maine to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland, ME to Charlotte, NC | $822 – $1,164 | 945 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| South Portland, ME to Raleigh, NC | $801 – $1,166 | 822 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| South Portland, ME to Greensboro, NC | $826 – $1,174 | 854 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| South Portland, ME to Durham, NC | $739 – $1,166 | 803 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| South Portland, ME to Winston-Salem, NC | $773 – $1,249 | 880 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Auburn, ME to North Carolina
| From Maine to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn, ME to Charlotte, NC | $797 – $1,187 | 973 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Auburn, ME to Raleigh, NC | $767 – $1,159 | 849 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Auburn, ME to Greensboro, NC | $765 – $1,188 | 882 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Auburn, ME to Durham, NC | $767 – $1,182 | 831 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Auburn, ME to Winston-Salem, NC | $774 – $1,177 | 909 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Maine to North Carolina
Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
Shipping a larger vehicle from Maine to North Carolina usually runs between $986 and $1,591.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Maine to North Carolina
If you’re shipping a car from the Pine Tree State to the Tar Heel State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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 North Carolina.
- Distance and route: The route from Maine to North Carolina is about 955 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from Maine in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Maine and North Carolina.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Maine to North Carolina takes two–seven days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
North Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to North Carolina, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance requirements: Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
- Vehicle inspection: Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
- Driver’s license: New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.
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 North Carolina
About 10.8 million people are living in the Tar Heel State. North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Maine and delivery in North Carolina?
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 North Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Maine to North Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Maine to North Carolina, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to North Carolina, 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.
Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
How long does it take to ship a car from Maine to North Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Maine to North Carolina is about 955 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Maine to North Carolina.
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.
Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
If I have a driver’s license in Maine, will I need one in North Carolina?
New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in Maine, will I be required to pay sales tax in North Carolina after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Maine to North Carolina after purchasing it.
If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Maine and North Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Maine to North Carolina?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Maine to North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Shipping a car from Maine to North Carolina costs $789 to $1,273.
