Maine to North Carolina Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 958 miles from Maine to North Carolina ranges from $852 to $1,219 and takes two–seven 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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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our North Carolina to Maine car shipping guide.

The best Maine to North Carolina car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Maine to North Carolina:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
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  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
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  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Maine to North Carolina

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 958 miles on your car going from Maine to North Carolina. 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 need to ship your car from Maine for a move to North Carolina, 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.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from Maine to North Carolina 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!

ME to NC auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Maine and North Carolina. The average travel distance is about 958 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days .

Cost to ship a car from Portland, ME to North Carolina

From Maine to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Portland, ME to Charlotte, NC $828 – $1,322 944 miles 2 – 7 days
Portland, ME to Raleigh, NC $799 – $1,197 821 miles 2 – 7 days
Portland, ME to Greensboro, NC $791 – $1,218 853 miles 2 – 7 days
Portland, ME to Durham, NC $815 – $1,149 802 miles 2 – 7 days
Portland, ME to Winston-Salem, NC $778 – $1,208 880 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Lewiston, ME to North Carolina

From Maine to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Lewiston, ME to Charlotte, NC $801 – $1,228 976 miles 2 – 7 days
Lewiston, ME to Raleigh, NC $824 – $1,218 854 miles 2 – 7 days
Lewiston, ME to Greensboro, NC $851 – $1,208 885 miles 2 – 7 days
Lewiston, ME to Durham, NC $771 – $1,251 835 miles 2 – 7 days
Lewiston, ME to Winston-Salem, NC $853 – $1,297 912 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Bangor, ME to North Carolina

From Maine to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Bangor, ME to Charlotte, NC $838 – $1,288 1,072 miles 2 – 8 days
Bangor, ME to Raleigh, NC $852 – $1,219 951 miles 2 – 7 days
Bangor, ME to Greensboro, NC $776 – $1,357 982 miles 2 – 7 days
Bangor, ME to Durham, NC $804 – $1,246 931 miles 2 – 7 days
Bangor, ME to Winston-Salem, NC $805 – $1,275 1,008 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from South Portland, ME to North Carolina

From Maine to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
South Portland, ME to Charlotte, NC $861 – $1,233 945 miles 2 – 7 days
South Portland, ME to Raleigh, NC $791 – $1,209 823 miles 2 – 7 days
South Portland, ME to Greensboro, NC $808 – $1,292 854 miles 2 – 7 days
South Portland, ME to Durham, NC $815 – $1,197 803 miles 2 – 7 days
South Portland, ME to Winston-Salem, NC $802 – $1,283 881 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Auburn, ME to North Carolina

From Maine to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Auburn, ME to Charlotte, NC $860 – $1,296 974 miles 2 – 7 days
Auburn, ME to Raleigh, NC $857 – $1,292 851 miles 2 – 7 days
Auburn, ME to Greensboro, NC $835 – $1,246 883 miles 2 – 7 days
Auburn, ME to Durham, NC $771 – $1,215 831 miles 2 – 7 days
Auburn, ME to Winston-Salem, NC $779 – $1,209 910 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Maine to North Carolina

Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Maine to North Carolina you should expect to pay between $1,065 and $1,524.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from ME to NC

When transporting your vehicle from the Pine Tree State to the Tar Heel 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 North Carolina.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Maine to North Carolina spans approximately 958 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 Maine, 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 Maine and North Carolina 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 Maine to North Carolina should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

North Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
  • Vehicle inspection: Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
  • Driver’s license: New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
  • Additional taxes: If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Maine

More than 39 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 North Carolina

About 22 million people are living in the Tar Heel State. North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Maine and delivery in North Carolina?

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 North Carolina.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Maine to North Carolina?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Maine to North Carolina, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to North Carolina, 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.

Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.

How long does it take to ship a car from Maine to North Carolina?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Maine to North Carolina is about 958 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Maine to North Carolina.

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.

Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.

If I have a driver’s license in Maine, will I need one in North Carolina?

New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.

If I bought a car in Maine, will I be required to pay sales tax in North Carolina after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Maine to North Carolina after purchasing it.

If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Maine and North Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Maine to North Carolina?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Maine to North Carolina 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 North Carolina?

Shipping a car from Maine to North Carolina costs $852 to $1,219.

Helpful Maine resources