California to Maine Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 3,243 miles from California to Maine ranges from $1,842 to $2,909 and takes 7–15 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Maine to California car shipping guide.
California to Maine auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and Maine. The average travel distance is about 3,243 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 7 to 15 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Maine
| From California to Maine | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Portland, ME | 3,081 miles | $1,918–$3,029 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Falmouth, ME | 3,088 miles | $1,937–$3,029 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Orono, ME | 3,217 miles | $1,994–$3,089 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Kennebunk, ME | 3,059 miles | $1,937–$2,939 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Wells, ME | 3,052 miles | $1,899–$2,999 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Maine
| From California to Maine | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Portland, ME | 3,099 miles | $1,899–$3,149 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Falmouth, ME | 3,104 miles | $1,899–$2,879 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Orono, ME | 3,234 miles | $1,861–$3,059 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Kennebunk, ME | 3,076 miles | $1,823–$3,059 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Wells, ME | 3,069 miles | $1,994–$2,879 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Maine
| From California to Maine | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Portland, ME | 3,229 miles | $1,918–$3,149 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Falmouth, ME | 3,237 miles | $1,880–$3,119 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Orono, ME | 3,366 miles | $1,804–$3,089 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Kennebunk, ME | 3,207 miles | $1,994–$2,999 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Wells, ME | 3,199 miles | $1,842–$3,119 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Maine
| From California to Maine | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Portland, ME | 3,197 miles | $1,937–$3,149 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Falmouth, ME | 3,202 miles | $1,861–$3,149 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Orono, ME | 3,332 miles | $1,861–$2,999 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Kennebunk, ME | 3,174 miles | $1,994–$3,089 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Wells, ME | 3,169 miles | $1,823–$3,089 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Maine
| From California to Maine | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Portland, ME | 3,204 miles | $1,918–$2,879 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Falmouth, ME | 3,212 miles | $1,804–$3,149 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Orono, ME | 3,341 miles | $1,994–$2,939 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Kennebunk, ME | 3,183 miles | $1,975–$2,909 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Wells, ME | 3,176 miles | $1,975–$2,849 | 7–15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Maine
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from California to Maine you should expect to pay between $2,303 and $3,636.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Maine
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Pine Tree State, these factors will influence your final price:
- 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 Maine.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Maine spans approximately 3,243 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of California, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between California and Maine and the varying gas prices across the country.
- 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 California to Maine should take between 7 and 15 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to Maine car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to Maine:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Maine
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 3,243 miles on your car going from California to Maine. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from California to Maine for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from California to Maine?
- 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 California
Over 39 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State, California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
Transporting your vehicle to Maine
About 22 million people are living in the Pine Tree State of Maine. 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 picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Maine?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Maine.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Maine?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California 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 California.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Maine?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Maine is about 3243 miles, and that’s as fast as about 7 days. However, most car transport companies will take 7-15 days to travel from California to Maine.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
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 California, 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 California, 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 California 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 California and Maine to avoid any hidden costs.
