California to Maryland Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,783 miles from California to Maryland ranges from $1,514 to $2,375 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.

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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 tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and Maryland. The average travel distance is about 2,783 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 Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Los Angeles, CA to Washington DC, MD $1,421 – $2,263 2,669 miles 7 – 15 days
Los Angeles, CA to Baltimore, MD $1,450 – $2,263 2,645 miles 7 – 15 days
Los Angeles, CA to Columbia, MD $1,465 – $2,286 2,637 miles 7 – 15 days
Los Angeles, CA to Germantown, MD $1,465 – $2,217 2,617 miles 7 – 15 days
Los Angeles, CA to Silver Spring, MD $1,539 – $2,286 2,635 miles 7 – 15 days

Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Maryland

From California to Maryland Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Diego, CA to Washington DC, MD $1,495 – $2,194 2,690 miles 7 – 15 days
San Diego, CA to Baltimore, MD $1,450 – $2,217 2,630 miles 7 – 15 days
San Diego, CA to Columbia, MD $1,480 – $2,379 2,659 miles 7 – 15 days
San Diego, CA to Germantown, MD $1,465 – $2,194 2,636 miles 7 – 15 days
San Diego, CA to Silver Spring, MD $1,480 – $2,194 2,654 miles 7 – 15 days

Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Maryland

From California to Maryland Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Jose, CA to Washington DC, MD $1,468 – $2,463 2,847 miles 7 – 15 days
San Jose, CA to Baltimore, MD $1,623 – $2,512 2,852 miles 7 – 15 days
San Jose, CA to Columbia, MD $1,484 – $2,512 2,845 miles 7 – 15 days
San Jose, CA to Germantown, MD $1,530 – $2,317 2,820 miles 7 – 15 days
San Jose, CA to Silver Spring, MD $1,592 – $2,488 2,841 miles 7 – 15 days

Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Maryland

From California to Maryland Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Francisco, CA to Washington DC, MD $1,623 – $2,390 2,814 miles 7 – 15 days
San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD $1,515 – $2,536 2,820 miles 7 – 15 days
San Francisco, CA to Columbia, MD $1,545 – $2,439 2,810 miles 7 – 15 days
San Francisco, CA to Germantown, MD $1,483 – $2,470 2,790 miles 7 – 15 days
San Francisco, CA to Silver Spring, MD $1,468 – $2,439 2,809 miles 7 – 15 days

Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Maryland

From California to Maryland Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Fresno, CA to Washington DC, MD $1,544 – $2,375 2,792 miles 7 – 15 days
Fresno, CA to Baltimore, MD $1,544 – $2,375 2,769 miles 7 – 15 days
Fresno, CA to Columbia, MD $1,514 – $2,328 2,761 miles 7 – 15 days
Fresno, CA to Germantown, MD $1,559 – $2,351 2,741 miles 7 – 15 days
Fresno, CA to Silver Spring, MD $1,498 – $2,304 2,759 miles 7 – 15 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Maryland

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 California to Maryland you should expect to pay between $1,893 and $2,969.

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 2,783 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

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • No deposit
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to Maryland:

Best for Accurate Pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • 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
At A Glance
  • 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 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
Best for Discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • 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
At A Glance
  • 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

Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Maryland

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.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

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 2783 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.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to Maryland?

The cheapest way to ship a car from California to Maryland is to ship it on a train or to choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pick-up dates.

How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Maryland?

Shipping a car from California to Maryland costs $1,514 to $2,375.

Helpful California resources