Michigan to Maine Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,004 miles from Michigan to Maine ranges from $754 to $1,308 and takes two–eight days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Maine to Michigan 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 Michigan to Maine car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Michigan to Maine:
- 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 Michigan
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Michigan who can get your vehicle to Maine:
- Detroit Auto Shipping Group: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- First Choice Of Elkhart Inc: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport: 3.72 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport Co Inc: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Great Lakes Logistics Llc: 3.64 out of 5 stars
Detroit Auto Shipping Group
100 Riverfront Dr Suite 2610, Detroit, MI 48226 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-michigan/detroit
3.8 / 5.0
Customers consistently praised the exceptional service provided by staff members, particularly highlighting their communication skills and professionalism throughout the auto shipping process. Many felt confident and informed during their experience.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2239008
First Choice Of Elkhart Inc
10888 Us Highway 12, White Pigeon, MI 49099 US
firstchoiceautotransport.com
3.8 / 5.0
Customers frequently praised the friendly and helpful staff, particularly mentioning responsive communication and professionalism. However, experiences were marred by complaints about poor communication regarding fees and serious issues with the handling of a vehicle accident involving uninsured drivers.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 681284
Jack Cooper Transport
2900 Miller Rd, Dearborn, MI 48120 US
jackcooper.com
3.72 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- RVs
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 64161
Alternative Business Names
- Pacific Motor Trucking Co.
Jack Cooper Transport Co Inc
7262 Lansing Rd, Dimondale, MI 48821 US
jackcooper.com
3.66 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 64161
Alternative Business Names
- Pacific Motor Trucking Co.
Great Lakes Logistics Llc
9338 Harrison Rd, Romulus, MI 48174 US
greatlakeslogistics.net
3.64 / 5.0
Great Lakes Logistics receives praise for exceptional customer service, reliable communication, and timely delivery while facing criticism for issues with equipment quality and communication difficulties.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2951078
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 Michigan to Maine
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Michigan to Maine, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 1,004 miles on your car to travel between Michigan and Maine. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Michigan to Maine, 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.
Michigan to Maine auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Michigan and Maine. The average journey covers about 1,004 miles and takes roughly two to eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Maine
| From Michigan to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Portland, ME | $748 – $1,204 | 805 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Detroit, MI to Lewiston, ME | $800 – $1,221 | 835 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Detroit, MI to Bangor, ME | $812 – $1,165 | 856 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Detroit, MI to South Portland, ME | $780 – $1,157 | 805 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Detroit, MI to Auburn, ME | $816 – $1,185 | 834 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Maine
| From Michigan to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids, MI to Portland, ME | $760 – $1,179 | 934 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Lewiston, ME | $767 – $1,314 | 964 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Bangor, ME | $837 – $1,198 | 986 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to South Portland, ME | $824 – $1,291 | 935 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Auburn, ME | $791 – $1,227 | 963 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Warren, MI to Maine
| From Michigan to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warren, MI to Portland, ME | $780 – $1,110 | 808 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Warren, MI to Lewiston, ME | $816 – $1,209 | 838 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Warren, MI to Bangor, ME | $804 – $1,213 | 859 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Warren, MI to South Portland, ME | $795 – $1,192 | 809 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Warren, MI to Auburn, ME | $808 – $1,126 | 837 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Sterling Heights, MI to Maine
| From Michigan to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling Heights, MI to Portland, ME | $827 – $1,110 | 804 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to Lewiston, ME | $777 – $1,150 | 834 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to Bangor, ME | $812 – $1,237 | 855 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to South Portland, ME | $795 – $1,227 | 805 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to Auburn, ME | $816 – $1,126 | 833 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Maine
| From Michigan to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI to Portland, ME | $753 – $1,162 | 848 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Lewiston, ME | $815 – $1,276 | 878 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Bangor, ME | $784 – $1,217 | 900 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to South Portland, ME | $777 – $1,221 | 849 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Auburn, ME | $831 – $1,228 | 877 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Maine
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 Michigan to Maine, expect costs to range from $943 to $1,635.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Michigan to Maine
When moving your vehicle from the Wolverine State to the Pine Tree State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- 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: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Maine than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The journey from Michigan to Maine spans about 1,004 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Michigan around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Michigan and Maine may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes two–eight days, while expedited service costs more.
Maine vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Maine, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: 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.
- Additional taxes: Maine requires registered car owners to pay an annual excise tax for motor vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, and stock vehicles. This tax is calculated by multiplying the current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the vehicle by the mileage rate.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Michigan
More than 10.0 million people call Michigan home. Nicknamed the Wolverine State. Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
Transporting your vehicle to Maine
About 1.4 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Michigan and delivery in Maine?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Michigan and when dropping it off in Maine.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to Maine?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Michigan to Maine, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Maine, which you should verify before loading your car in Michigan.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Michigan to Maine?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to Maine is about 1,004 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Michigan to Maine.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in Michigan, will I need one in Maine?
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.
If I bought a car in Michigan, will I be required to pay sales tax in Maine after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Michigan to Maine after purchasing it.
Maine requires registered car owners to pay an annual excise tax for motor vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, and stock vehicles. This tax is calculated by multiplying the current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the vehicle by the mileage rate.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Michigan and Maine to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Maine?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Maine 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 Michigan to Maine?
Shipping a car from Michigan to Maine costs $754 to $1,308.
