Maine Auto Transport: Daily Car Shipping Routes in Portland, Bangor & Lewiston

• Pickup and delivery at your address in all 16 Maine counties, or a nearby meetpoint where the truck cannot fit
• Open and enclosed transport on every major route
• Licensed broker MC-796224, USDOT 2336907, matched to FMCSA-compliant carriers
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees at pickup

Maine Auto Transport Routes, Transit Times, and Pricing

Depending on the car's location, most pickup windows are 24 to 72 hours from when the vehicle is ready to be picked up. This window could take up to 5 days in remote areas. Maine car shipping turnaround time for a destination under 1,000 miles is 2 to 3 days. From 1,000 to 1,750 miles, the transit time is estimated to be 4 to 6 days. From 1,750 to 2,500 miles, the transit time is estimated at 7 to 10 days.

Major Maine Cities Served

Every city below is covered on the same terms, and so is every town between them.

• Portland
• Lewiston
• Bangor
• South Portland
• Auburn
• Sanford
• Biddeford
• Westbrook
• Saco
• Augusta
• Waterville
• Brewer
• Ellsworth
• Bath
• Presque Isle
• Old Town
• Caribou
• Rockland
• Belfast
• Gardiner

Shipping a Car to Maine

The most popular lanes into Maine, with the transit windows this page has always published.

No page on our site publishes a price for these five lanes into Maine yet, so each one reads Get a quote. Your quote comes back with a real, locked number.

Shipping a Car from Maine

The most popular lanes out of Maine. Transit windows are this page's own.

No page on our site publishes a price for these five lanes out of Maine yet, so each one reads Get a quote. Your quote comes back with a real, locked number.

Per-Mile Pricing Guide for Maine Routes

The same per-mile guide appears on our Texas, New York, California, and Florida pages. A simple way to sanity check any Maine quote.

• Short distance (under 500 miles)

  $1.00 to $1.75 per mile

• Medium distance (500 to 1,000 miles)

  $0.75 to $1.00 per mile

• Long distance (1,000+ miles)

  $0.50 to $0.75 per mile

• Distance: The length of your journey is a crucial factor affecting costs, playing a significant role in determining your quote.
• Locations: Specific cities matter, with considerations such as local traffic conditions, proximity to major highways, and ease of pickup/drop-off contributing to pricing variations.
• Trailer Type: Opt for open-air transport for a more budget-friendly choice, or consider enclosed trailers for added protection, albeit at a higher cost.
• Vehicle Details: The dimensions and weight of your car are significant factors influencing the auto transport rate.
• Seasonality: Prices fluctuate throughout the year, influenced by the demand for car shipping. More active seasons might lead to slightly higher costs, depending on the chosen route.

For the most accurate Maine auto transport rate, provide the following details:

• Your car's specifications and type
• Origin and destination cities
• If possible, flexibility with shipping dates
• Preferred trailer type (open or enclosed)

By supplying this information, you'll receive a personalized car shipping rate tailored to meet your specific needs when transporting your vehicle to or from Maine.

Maine Military Installations We Serve

• Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

  Kittery, ME. The yard overhauls, repairs, and modernizes the Navy's Los Angeles and Virginia-class attack submarines.

• Bangor Air National Guard Base

  Bangor, ME. Home of the 101st Air Refueling Wing, the Maine Air National Guard unit that flies the KC-135 Stratotanker.

• Coast Guard Sector Northern New England

  South Portland, ME, at 259 High Street. The sector runs Coast Guard missions across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and northeastern New York. Station South Portland shares the address.

• Coast Guard Stations on the Maine Coast

  Stations at Boothbay Harbor, Rockland, Jonesport, and Eastport, a Sector Field Office at Southwest Harbor, and a Marine Safety Detachment in Belfast.

• SUPSHIP Bath

  Bath, ME, on Washington Street. The Navy's Supervisor of Shipbuilding office oversees the design and construction of six ship classes at three private shipyards, one of them in Bath. Its work includes Arleigh Burke destroyers.

• Camp Chamberlain

  Augusta, ME, on Blue Star Avenue. Offices of the state's Commissioner and Adjutant General. The Maine National Guard held ceremonies here in July and August 2026.

Timing Your Shipment Around PCS Orders

PCS season runs May to August. Carrier supply tightens, prices rise, and pickup dates fill weeks ahead. Book 3 to 4 weeks out once orders are in hand. We can hold a quote for 7 days while you finalize report dates.

Know where the posts sit. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is in Kittery, Maine, despite its name. Bangor Air National Guard Base is in Bangor. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England and Station South Portland share one address in South Portland, and the Coast Guard's other Maine stations run up the coast from Boothbay Harbor to Eastport. The Navy's shipbuilding office is in Bath, and Camp Chamberlain is in Augusta.

Military Discount and Who Qualifies

Military rate available for: active duty, reserve, National Guard, retired service members, and veterans. Mention your status on the call or in the quote form. Government bills of lading and DPS reimbursement requests are supported.

What Moves on Lowboy and Step Deck Trailers

• Road graders
• Backhoes, excavators, and loaders
• Bulldozers and crawler dozers
• Dump trucks and work trucks
• Cranes, lifts, and aerial booms
• Skid steers and compact track loaders

Why Lowboy and RGN Transport Works for Maine

• Height Compliance

  Lowboy decks sit 18 to 24 inches off the ground. Tall machinery clears bridges and overpasses on I-95, I-295, and I-395.

• Stability and Capacity

  Step deck and lowboy trailers carry the weight of full-size dozers, cranes, and graders without straining the suspension.

• Permit and Escort Expertise

  Carriers in our network get overlimit permits from the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles. They plan around the limits on night, holiday, and July and August weekend moves, and around posted roads and bridges.

Equipment that does not fit on a step deck moves on a Removable Gooseneck (RGN) trailer. The front detaches so tracked machinery rolls on without ramps. Best for excavators, dozers, and equipment without functional drive systems.

Should You Drive or Ship Your Car to or from Maine?

No route guide covers a Maine lane yet, so we do not publish a driving cost for one. Here is how the two options compare on everything except the price.

Driving vs. Shipping, Side by Side

The transit windows are the ones this page has always published. Your quote supplies the shipping price, so the table leaves dollar figures out.

Moving to Maine: What to Do After Your Car Arrives

Most people shipping into Maine are relocating or reporting to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Bangor, or a Coast Guard unit. Maine gives you 30 days to switch your registration, and your first stop is the town office. Here is what actually applies.

Town Excise Tax and the Use Tax Exemption

Maine's excise tax is paid to your town before you can register. It is based on the maker's list price and the model year, not on what you paid. The rate is $24 per $1,000 of list price for a current model year car. It drops to $17.50 in the second year, $13.50 in the third, $10 in the fourth, and $6.50 in the fifth, and it is $4 from the sixth year on. The minimum is $5, and the payment covers one year.

A car you bought and used while you lived in another state owes no Maine sales or use tax. That covers cars, and pickups and vans up to 10,000 pounds. Bring the Maine use tax form to show the exemption along with your out-of-state registration. Motorcycles, motor homes, and other vehicles qualify only after more than 12 months registered to you outside Maine. If you paid sales tax in another state, it counts against any Maine use tax due.

Title, Registration, and Inspection

A vehicle 25 years old or newer needs a Maine title, and the title fee is $33. A passenger plate costs $35, and a registration runs one year from the day it is issued. Bring your out-of-state title, your out-of-state registration, and proof of insurance.

Maine requires a safety inspection every year at a licensed station. Cars registered in Cumberland County, which includes Portland, get an emissions check too: a gas cap test on 1974 and newer gas vehicles and an onboard diagnostics scan on 1996 and newer. If your car shows a valid inspection certificate from another state, it is exempt until one year after that inspection. The Maine State Police explain the program on their motor vehicle inspections page.

Insurance and License

Maine requires insurance on every vehicle, and you show proof to register. The minimums are $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage. A policy must also carry at least $2,000 of medical payments coverage and uninsured motorist coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. Since July 1, 2024, policies issued or renewed in Maine must also cover up to $500 of towing and storage when police have the car towed after a crash.

You must get a Maine driver's license within 30 days of becoming a resident. To convert a license from another state, you pay a $35 application fee plus the license fee: $30 for a six-year license, or $55 for a REAL ID, if you are under 65. You may not need to take a written or road test.

Pay the excise tax at your town office first, then register there or at a BMV branch. Bring your title, your current registration, proof of insurance, and the use tax form. Check current fees and forms with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles before you go.

Maine Auto Transport Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our Maine car shipping service. For everything else, see our auto transport FAQ.

• What is the cost of shipping a car to Maine?

  The cost of shipping a car to Maine depends on several factors, including distance, location, trailer type, vehicle details, and seasonality. Prices fluctuate throughout the year, and busy seasons may lead to slightly higher costs. In order to get the most accurate quote, you should provide the following information: your car's type and specifications, origin and destination cities, flexible shipping dates (if possible), and preferred trailer type (open or enclosed).

• How long does it take to ship a car to or from Maine?

  Most pickup windows are 24 to 72 hours from when the vehicle is ready to be picked up. In remote areas, it could take up to 5 days. Here are some estimated transit times based on distance: under 1,000 miles, 2 to 3 days. 1,000 to 1,750 miles, 4 to 6 days. 1,750 to 2,500 miles, 7 to 10 days.

• What types of vehicles can I transport to or from Maine?

  Number 1 Auto Transport handles all your vehicle relocation needs, from everyday cars and trucks like coupes, sedans, SUVs, and pickups to minivans and passenger vans. We've got you covered for specialty vehicles too, including electric cars, motorcycles, and all-terrain rides like ATVs and UTVs. Need your golf cart or a John Deere Tractor shipped? If it has wheels, we can ship it!

• Can I transport a car to or from Maine if it's not running?

  Yes, carriers in our network are equipped with a winch to help pull the vehicle onto the trailer. Please let your dedicated shipping agent know if the car breaks, rolls, and steers.

• Can I pack my car when transporting it to or from Maine?

  While some personal belongings can be transported inside your vehicle for your convenience, there are restrictions. The total weight must be under 100 pounds, and for security reasons, they should be stored in the trunk or back seat, remaining below the window line. It's important to note that any personal belongings shipped within the car are not covered by the standard transport insurance in case of damage or loss.

• Does my vehicle need to have plates when shipping it to or from Maine?

  No, but sometimes a carrier will have to meet in a parking lot due to the size of his truck and the destination street layout. If so, you will most likely have to drive the car a few blocks.

• How should I prep my car before shipping it?

  It's recommended to wash your car so the transport carrier can do a proper inspection at pickup. Remove any toll tags so you don't incur fees while in transit. It's also best to remove any loose parts to prevent any damage during transport.

• What is the cheapest way to transport a car to or from Maine?

  The cheapest way to ship a car to or from Maine is on an open car trailer.

• Should I drive or ship my car to Maine?

  If the trip is a short distance, you should consider driving it to save money. Shipping is ideal for long distances, valuable cars, or if you don't want the hassle of driving yourself.

• Is my vehicle insured when using a Maine car shipping service?

  Yes, all the carriers in our network are vetted and screened with the DOT and FMCSA to make sure they have up to date and adequate cargo coverage to fully protect your car during transport.

• How do I get a quote for shipping my car to Maine?

  Most car shipping carriers request a 3-day (weekday) window for pickup. Once you have your desired pickup window, provide us with the year, make, model, and we will be able to provide you with a Maine car shipping rate.

• How do I pay for my Maine auto transport service?

  Number 1 Auto Transport offers a variety of convenient payment methods to ensure a smooth transaction for our customers. We accept all major credit cards for your convenience. Additionally, we facilitate secure electronic transfers through established platforms (Zelle, Venmo, Cashapp, Paypal) as well as ACH and wire transfers. For alternative payment preferences, certified and bank checks are also accepted.

• What documents do I need to provide to ship my car?

  You do not need to provide any documents to ship your car. However, it is recommended to sign a Bill of Lading before the carrier leaves.

• What happens upon pick-up and delivery of my car?

  The transport carrier will conduct a thorough inspection with you at the predetermined pickup location, noting any existing dents or scratches. The same inspection will be done upon delivery.

• How far in advance do I need to schedule my Maine car shipping service?

  To ensure we can fulfill your preferred delivery timeframe, scheduling your car shipment with ample lead time is highly recommended. Ideally, booking your transport at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance allows for optimal planning and execution.

• Do I have to register my car in Maine after it arrives?

  Yes, if you are moving here. Maine gives you 30 days after you establish residency to switch your registration and title. Pay the excise tax at your town office first, then register there or at a BMV branch. A car you bought and used while living in another state owes no Maine sales tax, and Maine requires a safety inspection every year. You also have 30 days to get a Maine driver's license.