Montana to Maine Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 2,339 miles from Montana to Maine usually costs between $1,267 and $2,139. Transit time is about five–thirteen days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Maine to Montana 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 Montana to Maine 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 Montana 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
- 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 Montana
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Montana who can get your vehicle to Maine:
- Turbo Auto Transport: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Big Sky Auto Transport: 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 Montana to Maine
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Montana for a move to Maine, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 2,339 miles on your car to travel between Montana and Maine. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Montana to Maine for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
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.
Montana 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 Montana and Maine. The average journey covers about 2,339 miles and takes roughly five to thirteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Maine
| From Montana to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Portland, ME | $1,242 – $2,058 | 2,315 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Billings, MT to Lewiston, ME | $1,280 – $1,956 | 2,345 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Billings, MT to Bangor, ME | $1,343 – $2,071 | 2,443 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Billings, MT to South Portland, ME | $1,242 – $1,956 | 2,316 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Billings, MT to Auburn, ME | $1,216 – $1,936 | 2,344 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Maine
| From Montana to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Portland, ME | $1,386 – $2,016 | 2,657 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Missoula, MT to Lewiston, ME | $1,399 – $2,037 | 2,686 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Missoula, MT to Bangor, ME | $1,445 – $2,138 | 2,784 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Missoula, MT to South Portland, ME | $1,318 – $2,121 | 2,657 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Missoula, MT to Auburn, ME | $1,345 – $2,205 | 2,686 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to Maine
| From Montana to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Portland, ME | $1,305 – $1,969 | 2,466 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Lewiston, ME | $1,216 – $2,092 | 2,486 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Bangor, ME | $1,358 – $2,100 | 2,593 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Great Falls, MT to South Portland, ME | $1,331 – $1,969 | 2,466 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Auburn, ME | $1,241 – $1,989 | 2,495 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Maine
| From Montana to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Portland, ME | $1,305 – $2,153 | 2,455 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Lewiston, ME | $1,228 – $2,071 | 2,485 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Bangor, ME | $1,255 – $1,998 | 2,583 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bozeman, MT to South Portland, ME | $1,292 – $1,969 | 2,456 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Auburn, ME | $1,292 – $2,071 | 2,484 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Maine
| From Montana to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Portland, ME | $1,242 – $2,079 | 2,540 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Butte, MT to Lewiston, ME | $1,255 – $2,100 | 2,570 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Butte, MT to Bangor, ME | $1,345 – $2,016 | 2,668 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Butte, MT to South Portland, ME | $1,294 – $1,977 | 2,541 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Butte, MT to Auburn, ME | $1,294 – $2,059 | 2,569 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Maine
Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.
For this route from Montana to Maine, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $1,584–$2,674.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to Maine
Transporting your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Pine Tree State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- 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: 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 Maine.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Montana to Maine involves roughly 2,339 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Montana, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Montana and Maine.
- 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 Montana to Maine should take between five and thirteen days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Maine vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Maine, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- 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 Montana
More than 1.1 million people call Montana home. Nicknamed the Big Sky Country. Montana has a lot of variation in geography, topography, and elevation, and the climate is equally varied. The western half is mountainous, interrupted by numerous large valleys. Eastern Montana comprises plains and badlands, broken by hills and isolated mountain ranges, The Continental Divide has a considerable effect on the climate, as it restricts the flow of warmer air from the Pacific from moving east, and drier continental air from moving west. The area west of the divide has a modified northern Pacific Coast climate, with milder winters, cooler summers, less wind, and a longer growing season. Low clouds and fog often form in the valleys west of the divide in winter, but this is rarely seen in the east.
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 Montana 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 Montana and when dropping it off in Maine.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Maine?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana 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 Montana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Montana, drivers must meet legal requirements for minimum car insurance liability coverage to ensure financial responsibility in accidents. Mandated by state regulations, this includes $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, covering collective medical expenses in case of multiple injuries, capped at $50,000 for the entire incident. Additionally, there's a required minimum of $20,000 per accident for property damage, crucial for addressing costs related to damage to another party's vehicle or property. Adhering to these insurance requirements is imperative for all motorists, ensuring compliance with state laws and contributing to a secure and responsible driving environment on Montana roadways.
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 Montana to Maine?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Maine is about 2,339 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take five to thirteen days to travel from Montana to Maine.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
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 Montana, 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 Montana, 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 Montana 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 Montana and Maine to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Maine?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana 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 Montana to Maine?
Shipping a car from Montana to Maine costs $1,267 to $2,139.
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