Maine to Ohio Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 981 miles from Maine to Ohio falls between $756 and $1,296. 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.
|
|
|
|
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Ohio 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 Ohio car shipping companies
After logging over 400 hours of research in the car shipping industry, we found that these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Maine to Ohio:
- 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
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Maine that can transport your vehicle to Ohio:
- 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 Ohio
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Maine to Ohio, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
|
|
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
|
Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 981 miles on your car going from Maine to Ohio. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Maine to Ohio, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
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!
Maine to Ohio 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 Ohio. The average journey covers about 981 miles and takes roughly two to seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Portland, ME to Ohio
| From Maine to Ohio | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME to Columbus, OH | $802 – $1,151 | 874 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Portland, ME to Cleveland, OH | $786 – $1,119 | 738 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Portland, ME to Cincinnati, OH | $787 – $1,221 | 980 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Portland, ME to Toledo, OH | $771 – $1,162 | 851 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Portland, ME to Akron, OH | $771 – $1,097 | 738 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lewiston, ME to Ohio
| From Maine to Ohio | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston, ME to Columbus, OH | $806 – $1,262 | 906 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Cleveland, OH | $757 – $1,061 | 770 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Cincinnati, OH | $792 – $1,267 | 1,012 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Toledo, OH | $749 – $1,261 | 883 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Akron, OH | $803 – $1,151 | 770 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bangor, ME to Ohio
| From Maine to Ohio | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME to Columbus, OH | $800 – $1,229 | 1,003 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Bangor, ME to Cleveland, OH | $778 – $1,162 | 867 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bangor, ME to Cincinnati, OH | $871 – $1,310 | 1,109 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Bangor, ME to Toledo, OH | $748 – $1,308 | 980 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bangor, ME to Akron, OH | $826 – $1,222 | 867 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from South Portland, ME to Ohio
| From Maine to Ohio | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland, ME to Columbus, OH | $757 – $1,152 | 875 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| South Portland, ME to Cleveland, OH | $794 – $1,119 | 739 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| South Portland, ME to Cincinnati, OH | $764 – $1,196 | 982 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| South Portland, ME to Toledo, OH | $818 – $1,234 | 853 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| South Portland, ME to Akron, OH | $726 – $1,130 | 739 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Auburn, ME to Ohio
| From Maine to Ohio | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn, ME to Columbus, OH | $822 – $1,238 | 904 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Auburn, ME to Cleveland, OH | $772 – $1,061 | 767 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Auburn, ME to Cincinnati, OH | $776 – $1,305 | 1,010 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Auburn, ME to Toledo, OH | $757 – $1,237 | 881 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Auburn, ME to Akron, OH | $749 – $1,061 | 768 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Maine to Ohio
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 Ohio usually runs between $945 and $1,620.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Maine to Ohio
Transporting your vehicle from the Pine Tree State to the Buckeye State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Ohio.
- Distance and route: The journey from Maine to Ohio spans approximately 981 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Maine in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Maine and Ohio.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within two–seven days, but expedited options cost more.
Ohio vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Ohio, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- Car insurance requirements: In Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced protection.
- Vehicle inspection: New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.
- Driver’s license: In Ohio, you have 30 days to transfer your license and get an Ohio title and license plates for your vehicle. Failure to do so can result in trouble from law enforcement and government agents.
- Additional taxes: Ohio requires sales tax if a vehicle was purchased out of state less than 6 months before moving to Ohio. However, a credit for sales tax paid to the other state may be allowed. If the vehicle was purchased at least 6 months before moving, no Ohio sales tax is due and the exemption code CV should be used when titling the vehicle.
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 Ohio
About 11.8 million people are living in the Buckeye State. Ohio forms a part of what's considered both the snowbelt and the tornado alley which means your move may be affected if either of these are impacting the state on your move day.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Maine and delivery in Ohio?
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 Ohio.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Maine to Ohio?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Maine to Ohio, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Ohio, 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.
In Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from Maine to Ohio?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Maine to Ohio is about 981 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 Ohio.
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.
New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.
If I have a driver’s license in Maine, will I need one in Ohio?
In Ohio, you have 30 days to transfer your license and get an Ohio title and license plates for your vehicle. Failure to do so can result in trouble from law enforcement and government agents.
If I bought a car in Maine, will I be required to pay sales tax in Ohio after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Maine to Ohio after purchasing it.
Ohio requires sales tax if a vehicle was purchased out of state less than 6 months before moving to Ohio. However, a credit for sales tax paid to the other state may be allowed. If the vehicle was purchased at least 6 months before moving, no Ohio sales tax is due and the exemption code CV should be used when titling the vehicle.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Maine and Ohio to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Maine to Ohio?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Maine to Ohio 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 Ohio?
Shipping a car from Maine to Ohio costs $756 to $1,296.
84 Airport Rd, Old Town, ME 04468
23 Water, St #340, Bangor, ME 04401
138 High, St Suite 172, Ellsworth, ME 04605