California to Maryland Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,785 miles from California to Maryland ranges from $1,772 to $2,590 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 Maryland to California car shipping guide.
California to Maryland 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 Maryland. The average travel distance is about 2,785 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 7 to 15 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Maryland
| From California to Maryland | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Washington DC, MD | 2,673 miles | $1,732–$2,571 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Baltimore, MD | 2,649 miles | $1,715–$2,651 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Frederick, MD | 2,602 miles | $1,732–$2,783 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Hagerstown, MD | 2,579 miles | $1,715–$2,625 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Aberdeen, MD | 2,682 miles | $1,783–$2,757 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Maryland
| From California to Maryland | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Washington DC, MD | 2,653 miles | $1,648–$2,651 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Baltimore, MD | 2,630 miles | $1,749–$2,677 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Frederick, MD | 2,582 miles | $1,601–$2,522 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Hagerstown, MD | 2,563 miles | $1,552–$2,676 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Aberdeen, MD | 2,667 miles | $1,732–$2,651 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Maryland
| From California to Maryland | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Washington DC, MD | 2,840 miles | $1,721–$2,687 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Baltimore, MD | 2,846 miles | $1,862–$2,715 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Frederick, MD | 2,798 miles | $1,737–$2,862 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Hagerstown, MD | 2,774 miles | $1,720–$2,835 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Aberdeen, MD | 2,878 miles | $1,738–$2,771 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Maryland
| From California to Maryland | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Washington DC, MD | 2,808 miles | $1,756–$2,687 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Baltimore, MD | 2,814 miles | $1,721–$2,687 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Frederick, MD | 2,766 miles | $1,720–$2,862 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Hagerstown, MD | 2,743 miles | $1,772–$2,808 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Aberdeen, MD | 2,846 miles | $1,862–$2,687 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Maryland
| From California to Maryland | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Washington DC, MD | 2,791 miles | $1,807–$2,699 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Baltimore, MD | 2,773 miles | $1,754–$2,671 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Frederick, MD | 2,725 miles | $1,754–$2,726 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Hagerstown, MD | 2,702 miles | $1,789–$2,780 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Aberdeen, MD | 2,805 miles | $1,862–$2,743 | 7–15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Maryland
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 Maryland you should expect to pay between $2,215 and $3,238.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Maryland
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Old Line 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 Maryland.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Maryland spans approximately 2,785 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 Maryland 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 Maryland should take between 7 and 15 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to Maryland car shipping companies
|
|
|
|
rating
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to Maryland:
- 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 Maryland
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,785 miles on your car going from California to Maryland. 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 Maryland 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 Maryland?
- Car insurance requirements: All vehicles in Maryland must maintain insurance coverage from a Maryland-licensed insurance company at all times, with mandatory minimum coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.
- Vehicle inspection: If you recently relocated to Maryland or bought a vehicle, you must get it inspected at an authorized inspection station before registering the vehicle. New residents are mandated to undergo a vehicle safety inspection before obtaining car registration.
- Driver’s license: As a new resident of Maryland, it's mandatory to obtain a Maryland driver's license within 60 days. You need to surrender your previous state's driver's license before obtaining a Maryland one.
- Additional taxes: The sales tax in Maryland is set at 6%. This applies to both new and used car purchases, adding an additional 6% to the cost. Fortunately for Maryland residents, there is no sales tax imposed by any other governing level in the state.
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 Maryland
About 22 million people are living in the Old Line State of Maryland. Maryland has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to water, and protection from colder weather due to downslope winds. The eastern half of Maryland — which includes the cities of Ocean City, Salisbury, Annapolis, and the southern and eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore — lies on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with flat topography and sandy or muddy soil. This region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a short, mild-to-cool winter
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Maryland?
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 Maryland.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Maryland?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Maryland, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Maryland, 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. All vehicles in Maryland must maintain insurance coverage from a Maryland-licensed insurance company at all times, with mandatory minimum coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Maryland?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Maryland is about 2785 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take 7-15 days to travel from California to Maryland.
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.
If you recently relocated to Maryland or bought a vehicle, you must get it inspected at an authorized inspection station before registering the vehicle. New residents are mandated to undergo a vehicle safety inspection before obtaining car registration.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Maryland?
As a new resident of Maryland, it's mandatory to obtain a Maryland driver's license within 60 days. You need to surrender your previous state's driver's license before obtaining a Maryland one.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Maryland after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Maryland after purchasing it.
The sales tax in Maryland is set at 6%. This applies to both new and used car purchases, adding an additional 6% to the cost. Fortunately for Maryland residents, there is no sales tax imposed by any other governing level in the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Maryland to avoid any hidden costs.
