Maine Car Shipping: 2026 Costs & Routes

Our team has been in the car shipping industry for a long time. We worked for some of the largest brokers and knew there was a better way to do things.

So we set out to create a company that would be different. We want to walk you through how the process works and we guarantee to match any price you hear from a competitor.

We're a scrappy team that looks forward to earning your business.

Preparing your vehicle for transit in Maine requires a few key steps to protect it during shipping. Here's what you need to do:

Remove toll transponders and passes. If you have a Maine EZPass or any toll transponder in your vehicle, remove it before shipping. Toll transponders can malfunction during transit and may incur unexpected charges.

Clear winter-related items. Maine winters are harsh, so remove snow chains, ice scrapers, and winter emergency kits from your vehicle. Check for salt and road treatment residue on the undercarriage and exterior—while you can't remove all of it, letting your carrier know about heavy salt buildup helps them take extra care during loading and unloading.

Remove personal items and accessories. Take out any interior items like phone chargers, air fresheners, or personal belongings. Remove exterior accessories such as roof racks, antennas, or custom mirrors that could be damaged in transit.

Ensure you have a key available. Provide your carrier with a working key or keyless entry code so they can move your vehicle safely during pickup and delivery.

Check your vehicle's condition. Maine requires all registered vehicles to pass an inspection. Before shipping, make sure your vehicle is in safe operating condition with working brakes, lights, and steering. This helps prevent issues during transport.

Document your vehicle's condition. Take photos of your car before pickup to record its condition. This protects you and helps with any potential claims.

For more details about the car shipping process, see our Vehicle Shipping Tips.

Yes, your vehicle is protected with insurance during shipment. All carriers we work with carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Before your shipment begins, we verify that each carrier's insurance is valid and active for the full duration of your transport.

This means your car is covered if damage occurs during transit. We take insurance seriously because we know how important your vehicle is to you. That's why we've always required carriers to meet these insurance standards—it's one of the ways we help you get real value when shipping your car.

We recommend scheduling your pickup at least two to three weeks in advance for Maine shipments. This gives carriers time to find compatible loads heading to or from the state and get you the best rates.

Winter is critical: From November through March, Maine's harsh weather can cause delays. Snow, ice, and winter storms frequently impact carrier schedules and road conditions. If you're shipping during these months, aim for three to four weeks advance notice to account for potential weather disruptions.

Summer and fall are your best windows. April through October typically see faster pickups because weather is more predictable and more carriers run Maine routes. Two weeks' notice is usually sufficient during these months.

Peak seasonal demand matters: Maine's tourism season (June through September) and college move-in periods (August and early September for schools like University of Maine) can tighten carrier availability. If shipping during these times, book earlier rather than later.

The bottom line: Maine is a lower-volume state for carriers compared to major shipping corridors. Fewer carriers regularly service the state, especially for rural areas. This means you'll want more lead time than you might for shipping from states like Massachusetts or New York. Booking sooner helps us find carriers with Maine expertise and gets you better pricing.

Post your shipment as soon as possible so we can bundle your vehicle with others heading the same direction. The earlier you book, the more options we have to find you a reliable carrier at the best rate.

We accept all forms of payment. We can arrange credit cards or arrange for you to pay the carrier directly through cash/certified check. We even accept payment via Cash/Zelle/Venmo.

Your shipment with SAKAEM includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If your shipment includes ocean transit (Hawaii shipments), your vehicle must be emptied of all items. SAKAEM and your assigned carrier are not responsible for personal items left inside your vehicle. See our guide on shipping a car with personal items for more details.

A designated (adult) must be present at pickup and delivery. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle's condition. Learn more about designating someone else to pick up your car.

Open Auto Transport is the most common and affordable option. Your car travels on an open trailer with other vehicles. It's quick, cost-effective, and works great for most cars. The main downside is that your vehicle is exposed to weather, road debris, and dust during transit.

Enclosed Auto Transport means your car is loaded into a fully enclosed trailer. This protects your vehicle from all weather conditions and road hazards. It costs significantly more—typically 50% to 100% higher than open transport—but it's the right choice if you're shipping a high-value vehicle, classic car, luxury model, or one with a custom paint job that you want to protect.

How to choose: If you need affordable shipping and your car can handle some exposure, open transport is the smart pick. If you're shipping something you can't afford to risk, enclosed transport is worth the extra cost. Most people in Maine ship their daily drivers with open transport and save the enclosed option for special vehicles.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service throughout Maine. When you book with us, we'll ask for your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our carriers will pick up and deliver your vehicle directly to those locations whenever possible.

We're transparent about what can happen: if there are transportation restrictions or safety concerns—like narrow roads or limited access—our carrier will work with you to find an alternative nearby location, such as a gas station or parking lot. We'll never surprise you with unexpected changes.

Since 2012, we've been committed to breaking the monopoly that large brokers had on car shipping. Our highly rated reviews show that our scrappy approach to helping people get real value from their shipping needs actually works. We handle Maine shipments with the same care we give to every route.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, electric vehicles, vans and motorcycles across all 48 continental states + Hawaii. Our services even provide shipment for golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship vehicles that don't run so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. The only exception is boats, which we do not transport.

Visit SAKAEM Logistics' FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!