Truck Dispatch Services in Maine
Maine serves as New England's gateway to Canada with Portland serving as a major freight hub. The state offers lobster and seafood freight, lumber products, and strategic positioning for cross-border trade.
Top Freight Lanes from Maine
I-95 corridor carrying lobster/seafood, consumer goods, and manufactured products. 105 miles with premium reefer rates of $4.00-$5.50/mile for seafood.
Cross-border corridor via I-95/Autoroute 55 hauling lumber, consumer goods, and seafood. 280 miles with premium international rates.
I-95 corridor moving lumber, paper products, and consumer goods. 250 miles with consistent demand.
I-95/I-84 corridor carrying seafood, consumer goods, and manufactured products. 180 miles with balanced freight flow.
Cross-country lane hauling lobster and seafood to West Coast markets. 3,150 miles with premium reefer rates for time-sensitive seafood.
Why Maine Carriers Choose FF Dispatch
We specialize in finding high-paying loads on these routes and more. Our dispatchers know the Maine freight market inside and out, including maine turnpike tolls and other state-specific requirements, ensuring you get the best rates and minimal deadhead miles.
Start Earning MoreWe Dispatch All Truck Types in Maine
Whether you run a dry van, reefer, flatbed, or specialized equipment, our dispatchers have the expertise and connections to find you profitable loads throughout Maine.
Maine Trucking Facts
Leading lobster state creates unique reefer opportunities
Paper and lumber industry provides flatbed demand
I-95 gateway to Montreal freight
What Maine Truckers Need to Know
Maine Turnpike Tolls
Maine Turnpike charges trucks $12-$25 for full-length travel. E-ZPass saves 20%. The turnpike is the primary route through Maine — avoiding it adds significant time. Budget for tolls on every Maine run.
Maine Winter Weight Increase
Maine allows a 10% weight increase (to 88,000 lbs) on certain routes from December through March when ground is frozen. This helps lumber and paper carriers maximize payload during winter months. No special permit needed on designated routes.
Cross-Border Requirements to Canada
Maine has multiple border crossings to Canada. Carriers need FAST cards, valid passports, and customs bonds. Calais crossing (I-95) is busiest. Processing takes 30-90 minutes without FAST. Lumber and seafood are primary cross-border commodities.
Maine freight peaks May through December with lobster season — reefer rates spike 25-35% for seafood loads. Summer brings tourism freight and construction materials. Lumber industry provides year-round flatbed demand with winter peaks (frozen ground allows better logging access). Winter is coldest but ground freeze allows heavier loads.
Frequently Asked Questions — Maine Trucking
How profitable is Maine lobster freight?
Maine produces 80% of US lobster. Lobster season runs May-December with peak July-October. Reefer loads of live lobster to NYC, Boston, or West Coast pay $4.00-$6.00/mile due to time sensitivity and specialty handling. Annual lobster transport is a $500M+ freight market.
What cross-border freight exists from Maine to Canada?
Maine has 3 major border crossings to Canada — Calais (busiest), Houlton, and Madawaska. Lumber, paper products, and seafood cross both directions. You need FAST cards, passports, and customs bonds. Cross-border loads pay 15-25% premiums over domestic rates.
Are there tolls in Maine?
Yes — Maine Turnpike charges trucks $12-$25 depending on distance and axle count. E-ZPass saves 20%. The turnpike (I-95/I-295) is the primary route through Maine. Avoiding it via US-1 or US-2 adds significant time and distance.
Does Maine allow heavier loads in winter?
Yes — Maine allows 10% weight increase (to 88,000 lbs) on designated routes from December through March when ground is frozen. This benefits lumber and paper carriers. No permit needed on approved routes — check Maine DOT for designated roads.
Major Trucking Hubs in Maine
Portland
Portland ME is northern New England's freight gateway, with a working port handling petroleum, seafood, and containerized cargo. I-95 connects the city to Boston (100 miles south). Seafood exports and lumber products drive unique freight opportunities.
Bangor
Bangor is the commercial hub of northern Maine and a critical supply point for rural communities. The timber and paper industries drive heavy flatbed demand, while cross-border freight to Canada's Maritime provinces flows through nearby Houlton.
Ready to Start Dispatching in Maine?
Join hundreds of Maine carriers earning more with FF Dispatch. No setup fees, no contracts, just results.