Maine to Texas Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 2,251 miles from Maine to Texas falls between $1,340 and $1,998. Delivery typically takes five–thirteen 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 Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas:
- 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
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Maine can deliver your vehicle to Texas:
- 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 Texas
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Maine to Texas, 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.
|
|
 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
|
|
Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 2,251 extra miles on your car to travel from Maine to Texas. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Maine to Texas. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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 Texas auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in Maine and Texas. The typical distance is about 2,251 miles, with shipping times generally falling between five and thirteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Portland, ME to Texas
| From Maine to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME to Houston, TX | $1,286 – $1,858 | 1,946 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Portland, ME to San Antonio, TX | $1,331 – $2,092 | 2,140 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Portland, ME to Dallas, TX | $1,170 – $1,842 | 1,866 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Portland, ME to Austin, TX | $1,204 – $1,999 | 2,061 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Portland, ME to Fort Worth, TX | $1,231 – $1,879 | 1,897 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lewiston, ME to Texas
| From Maine to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston, ME to Houston, TX | $1,236 – $1,802 | 1,978 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Lewiston, ME to San Antonio, TX | $1,268 – $1,972 | 2,173 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Dallas, TX | $1,157 – $1,897 | 1,898 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Austin, TX | $1,267 – $1,960 | 2,093 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Lewiston, ME to Fort Worth, TX | $1,212 – $1,783 | 1,930 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bangor, ME to Texas
| From Maine to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME to Houston, TX | $1,317 – $2,058 | 2,075 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bangor, ME to San Antonio, TX | $1,340 – $1,937 | 2,269 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bangor, ME to Dallas, TX | $1,236 – $1,971 | 1,995 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bangor, ME to Austin, TX | $1,204 – $2,072 | 2,190 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bangor, ME to Fort Worth, TX | $1,317 – $1,882 | 2,026 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from South Portland, ME to Texas
| From Maine to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland, ME to Houston, TX | $1,187 – $1,877 | 1,947 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| South Portland, ME to San Antonio, TX | $1,306 – $2,052 | 2,142 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| South Portland, ME to Dallas, TX | $1,170 – $1,842 | 1,867 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| South Portland, ME to Austin, TX | $1,279 – $2,019 | 2,062 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| South Portland, ME to Fort Worth, TX | $1,279 – $1,716 | 1,899 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Auburn, ME to Texas
| From Maine to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn, ME to Houston, TX | $1,212 – $1,821 | 1,976 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Auburn, ME to San Antonio, TX | $1,268 – $1,972 | 2,170 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Auburn, ME to Dallas, TX | $1,206 – $1,824 | 1,896 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Auburn, ME to Austin, TX | $1,192 – $2,038 | 2,091 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Auburn, ME to Fort Worth, TX | $1,249 – $1,839 | 1,927 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Maine to Texas
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 Texas usually runs between $1,675 and $2,498.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Maine to Texas
When moving your vehicle from the Pine Tree State to the Lone Star State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Texas than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Maine to Texas involves roughly 2,251 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- 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: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Maine and Texas may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- 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 Texas should take between five and thirteen days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Texas vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in Texas, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- Car insurance requirements: Every driver in Texas is mandated to have liability insurance known as 30/60/25 coverage. However, this minimum requirement may fall short in adequately covering the aftermath of a moderately severe accident. The basic policy offers $30,000 for individual injury coverage, up to $60,000 for injury coverage per accident, and provides up to $25,000 for property damage.
- Vehicle inspection: In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
- Driver’s license: New residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: New residents must pay a $90 new resident tax instead of a use tax for a vehicle they bring into Texas. This applies if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
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 Texas
About 30.5 million people are living in the Lone Star State. Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Maine and delivery in Texas?
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 Texas.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Maine to Texas?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Maine to Texas, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Texas, 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.
Every driver in Texas is mandated to have liability insurance known as 30/60/25 coverage. However, this minimum requirement may fall short in adequately covering the aftermath of a moderately severe accident. The basic policy offers $30,000 for individual injury coverage, up to $60,000 for injury coverage per accident, and provides up to $25,000 for property damage.
How long does it take to ship a car from Maine to Texas?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Maine to Texas is about 2,251 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take five to thirteen days to travel from Maine to Texas.
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 Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
If I have a driver’s license in Maine, will I need one in Texas?
New residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in Maine, will I be required to pay sales tax in Texas after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Maine to Texas after purchasing it.
New residents must pay a $90 new resident tax instead of a use tax for a vehicle they bring into Texas. This applies if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Maine and Texas to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Maine to Texas?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Maine to Texas 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 Texas?
Shipping a car from Maine to Texas costs $1,340 to $1,998.
