California → Maine
California to Maine Car Shipping
Coast-to-coast car shipping from anywhere in California to anywhere in Maine, from Kittery to Bangor and beyond. Final-price quote, $0 due at booking.
Shipment Details
20+ YEARS
of combined auto transportation experience.
10,000+
top-rated, vetted carriers within our network.
$0
due upfront. You only pay when we assign a carrier.
California to Maine Auto Transport
Shipping a Car From California to Maine
Los Angeles to Portland, Maine, is about 3,150 miles, close to the longest drive you can make in the Lower 48. It goes from one corner of the country nearly to the other. Driving it takes more than a week.
We ship cars on this route for Navy families moving from San Diego to Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where destroyers and submarines are built and serviced. We also ship for Californians who've bought a place on the Maine coast, remote workers trading the city for small-town New England, and students at Bowdoin, Colby, and the University of Maine.
Door-to-door, a final-price quote, and $0 due at booking.
Popular Routes
Popular California to Maine Routes
City pairs we see on this route, with approximate distances and typical transit times after pickup.
| From | To | Miles | Typical Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | Kittery, ME | ~3,100 | 8–10 days |
| Los Angeles, CA | Portland, ME | ~3,150 | 8–10 days |
| Los Angeles, CA | Lewiston, ME | ~3,185 | 8–11 days |
| San Diego, CA | Bath, ME | ~3,200 | 8–11 days |
| Los Angeles, CA | Augusta, ME | ~3,205 | 8–11 days |
| San Francisco, CA | Portland, ME | ~3,230 | 8–11 days |
| Los Angeles, CA | Bangor, ME | ~3,280 | 9–11 days |
Distances and transit times are estimates and can vary with weather, traffic, and the carrier's other stops.
The Route
How Cars Get From California to Maine
Southern California loads run I-40 and I-44 to St. Louis, then I-70 into Ohio. From there they cross upstate New York on the Thruway (I-90), go through Massachusetts, and head up I-95 into Maine. Bay Area loads take I-80 straight across to Chicago and join the same path.
Very few carriers go all the way from California to Maine, so loads are usually combined with Boston and New Hampshire stops. Downeast towns, the islands, and northern Maine take extra lead time, and island deliveries mean the car rides the ferry on its own.
Along the Way
- Los Angeles → Albuquerque~790 mi
- Albuquerque → Oklahoma City~545 mi
- Oklahoma City → St. Louis~500 mi
- St. Louis → Columbus~415 mi
- Columbus → Albany~625 mi
- Albany → Portland, ME~275 mi
Approximate distances. The exact route depends on the carrier's other stops.
Timing
When to Ship California to Maine
On a route this long, every season brings something.
Maine Winter
Snow and ice from December through March slow deliveries, especially north of Augusta. Snow in the Rockies and Midwest can slow the trip too.
Mud Season
Late March and April thaw makes some rural Maine roads soft, and some towns post weight limits. Paved meeting spots keep things simple.
Summer
The easiest time to ship, but coastal towns are packed. Weekday deliveries go smoother.
Fall
A good time to ship before winter sets in. Foliage weekends bring traffic to the coast and mountains.
Pricing
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car From California to Maine?
This is about as long as a route gets. Here's what affects the price.
Distance
At roughly 3,100 to 3,300 miles, this is one of the longest routes we run.
How Far Into Maine
Southern Maine near I-95 is easier to reach. Downeast, the County, and island towns cost more.
Season
Winter and mud season can affect timing and price. Summer and early fall are usually smoothest.
Open or Enclosed
Open is the standard. Enclosed keeps a nicer car protected across more than 3,000 miles.
Vehicle Size
Pickups and full-size SUVs take more trailer space than sedans, so they cost more to ship.
Date Flexibility
Few trucks run coast to coast to Maine. A flexible window gives us a real shot at the right one.
Your Quote Is Your Final Price
Coast-to-coast routes are where cheap quotes sit untaken for weeks. We price yours to actually move. It's your final price, with $0 due at booking.
Get My California to Maine QuoteGood to Know
Before You Ship & After You Arrive
A few Maine-specific things worth knowing.
Registering in Maine
New residents have 30 days to register. You'll pay excise tax at your town office first, then register, and Maine requires an annual safety inspection. Check maine.gov/sos/bmv for current rules.
Moving With the Navy
We ship for sailors, shipyard workers, and families moving from San Diego to Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Island and Remote Deliveries
We can get your car to the ferry terminal or the nearest mainland town. The ferry crossing is up to you.
Get Winter-Ready
Coming from California? A Maine winter calls for real snow tires, a strong battery, and an ice scraper.
Our Services
Ways to Ship California to Maine
Choose the service that fits your vehicle, budget, and timeline.
Open Auto Transport
The most affordable way to ship a car from California to Maine.
Learn more →Enclosed Auto Transport
Full protection coast to coast for classic and luxury vehicles.
Learn more →Door-to-Door Shipping
From your California address to your Maine driveway, or the closest spot a truck can reach.
Learn more →Expedited Car Shipping
Report date coming up? We'll prioritize a faster pickup.
Learn more →The Process
How It Works
Simple, transparent, and nothing due until a carrier is on the way.
- 1
Request Your Quote
Give us your California pickup address, your Maine delivery address, the vehicle, and your dates. You get a final price, good for 7 days.
- 2
Book With $0 Down
Nothing is due when you book. We match your vehicle with a vetted carrier that has room on a truck headed to Maine.
- 3
Carrier Dispatched
Once a carrier is assigned, a deposit (or full payment, if you prefer) secures your spot. The driver inspects your car with you at pickup and notes its condition on the Bill of Lading.
- 4
Delivered & Inspected
Look your car over with the driver in Maine, sign off, and pay any remaining balance directly to the driver by cash or check.
Why NEXLogistix
Car Shipping You Can Trust
A licensed, bonded, and insured broker (DOT 4238940 | MC-1641261).
Family-Owned Broker
A small, family-owned team that answers the phone and stays with your shipment from quote to delivery.
20+ Years Combined Experience
Deep industry experience and a network of more than 10,000 vetted, insured carriers.
Final-Price Quotes
The price we quote is the price you pay. No bait-and-switch, no surprise fees.
$0 Due at Booking
You don't pay anything until a carrier is actually dispatched for your vehicle.
FAQ
California to Maine Car Shipping FAQs
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Maine?
Usually 8 to 11 days after pickup. Southern Maine is on the faster end. Remote towns and winter weather can add time.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Maine?
It depends on your exact pickup and delivery locations, vehicle size, open or enclosed transport, and the season. Request a free quote and you'll get a final price, good for 7 days.
Do you ship cars for Navy moves to Bath or Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?
Yes. We regularly ship for sailors and shipyard families moving from San Diego. Give us your report date when you request a quote.
Can you deliver to a Maine island?
We'll deliver to the ferry terminal or the nearest mainland town. From there, you or the ferry service take it across.
Is it cheaper to ship or drive from California to Maine?
Driving 3,100 miles means more than a week, six or seven hotel nights, gas, food, and tolls. For most people, shipping costs less.
Can you ship a car from Maine back to California?
Yes. Request a quote with your Maine pickup address and your California delivery address. It's door-to-door either way.
Is my car insured during transport?
Yes. Every carrier we work with is required to carry active cargo insurance. Your car's condition is documented on the Bill of Lading at pickup and checked again at delivery. Personal items left in the vehicle aren't covered.
Do I have to pay upfront?
No. There's $0 due at booking. Once a carrier is assigned, you can pay a deposit and the rest to the driver at delivery by cash or check, or pay in full at that point.
Keep Exploring
Related Routes & States
States on This Route
More Routes From California
More Routes to Maine
Don't see your route? We ship door-to-door between all 48 contiguous states. Browse all states we serve.
Ready to Ship Your Car From California to Maine?
Get a free, final-price quote today. Nothing is due until a carrier is on the way.
Prefer email? hello@nexlogistix.com
Licensed, bonded & insured broker · DOT 4238940 | MC-1641261