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Route guide · CA → MD
Car shipping from California to Maryland
Car transport from California to Maryland runs 2,740 road miles between the biggest metros. Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Baltimore costs about $1,375–$1,975 on an open carrier and $2,075–$2,950 in an enclosed trailer, with 6–10 days in transit. It ranks #84 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,675
- Road miles
- 2,740
- Days in transit
- 6–10
- People moving a year
- 10.6K
- Companies at both ends
- 131
City to city
Cost to ship a car from California to Maryland, city to city
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Baltimore, Frederick, Salisbury and Cumberland — 2,560 to 3,010 road miles apart.
| From | Baltimore | Frederick | Salisbury | Cumberland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,375–$1,9752,740 mi · 6–10 days | $1,375–$1,9502,690 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0002,810 mi · 6–10 days | $1,350–$1,9252,610 mi · 6–9 days |
| San Francisco | $1,450–$2,0502,930 mi · 6–10 days | $1,425–$2,0252,880 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,0753,010 mi · 7–11 days | $1,400–$2,0002,790 mi · 6–10 days |
| San Diego | $1,375–$1,9502,700 mi · 6–10 days | $1,350–$1,9252,650 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$1,9752,770 mi · 6–10 days | $1,325–$1,9002,560 mi · 6–9 days |
| San Jose | $1,425–$2,0252,870 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0002,810 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0502,950 mi · 6–10 days | $1,375–$1,9752,730 mi · 6–10 days |
Estimate, not a quote
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Los Angeles to Baltimore, 2,740 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $1,375–$1,975 | $2,075–$2,950 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,550–$2,200 | $2,325–$3,325 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,725–$2,475 | $2,600–$3,700 |
| Pickup truck | $1,800–$2,575 | $2,700–$3,850 |
| Motorcycle | $825–$1,175 | $1,250–$1,775 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from California to Maryland is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,675 Peak: about $1,800
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Maryland
About 10,565 people moved from California to Maryland in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (10,051 in 2023, 11,078 in 2024). That is 1.6% of everyone who left California for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 9,504 people a year move from Maryland back to California — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,675, shipping from California to Maryland costs more than sending a car to South Carolina ($1,625) and North Carolina ($1,600) but less than to Florida ($1,700) and Virginia ($1,700). That works out to about 61¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Count on 6–10 days on the truck for the 2,740 road miles from Los Angeles to Baltimore — federal rules cap drivers at 11 hours a day behind the wheel, and a full carrier makes several stops on the way. The car heads east-northeast and crosses 3 time zones — from Pacific to Eastern time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- The route crosses mountain passes in the West; from November to March, snow and chain laws can hold trucks for a day or two.
Companies
Car transport companies from California to Maryland
Companies headquartered at either end of the route usually run this lane often. Filter by services, company type and safety record — every listing is matched to its FMCSA record.
- Pickup end California 88 companies · 67 carriers · 24 brokers · 1,921 trucks · 12 yrs avg.
- Delivery end Maryland 43 companies · 43 carriers · 0 brokers · 164 trucks · 9 yrs avg.
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San Jose auto transport broker operating as CarHauler247, with instant online quotes and booking.
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Tempus Logix has a vast network of mandatory insured and bonded carriers with whom we continually work.
Cross-border car shipping between the USA and Canada with customs handling, in business since 1985.
H&
Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc
FMCSA verifiedLarge Los Alamitos, CA auto carrier with 30+ years of experience, moving new and remarketed vehicles coast to coast.
DA
Deluxe Auto Carriers
FMCSA verifiedSouthern California car carrier in the Proficient Auto Logistics group, moving finished vehicles to dealerships.
DA
DBN Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedWoman-owned Anaheim car carrier established in 2012, with soft-tie trailers and camera/GPS on every truck.
QC
Quality Car Shippers LLC
FMCSA verifiedFamily-owned Murrieta, CA car carrier serving dealers, rental companies, auctions and OEMs across the lower 48.
AL
Auto Line Express Inc
FMCSA verifiedGardena, CA car carrier moving thousands of finished vehicles a year across the U.S. and Canada since 2013.
RW
Right Way Auto Transport Inc
FMCSA verifiedMaryland auto carrier with 25+ years of experience, hauling vehicles for major car brands and dealers.
IL
Intercity Lines, Inc
FMCSA verifiedAP
A Plus Auto Shippers LLC
FMCSA verifiedLicensed and bonded auto carrier from the Phoenix and Palm Desert area shipping cars and trucks nationwide.
MT
Moveacar Transport
FMCSA verifiedMaryland car carrier for private customers, dealers and auctions, often with same-day pickup and next-day delivery.
BT
Borsuk Transport Inc
FMCSA verifiedFamily-owned Maryland car carrier established in 2019, serving OEMs, rental companies and auctions.
AS
All Star Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedChino, California auto carrier moving vehicles in California and Texas since 2005.
CA
CA Auto Express Inc
FMCSA verifiedSouthern California motor carrier shipping vehicles on its own trucks, coast to coast and within California.
ET
Econ Transport LLC
FMCSA verifiedMaryland vehicle transport company offering open and enclosed, door-to-door shipping of cars, motorcycles and RVs.
GK
Golden Key Express
FMCSA verifiedNo companies match these filters
Try fewer filters, or include companies from other states that serve this route.
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Maryland but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Maryland
To Maryland from states near California
FAQ
California to Maryland car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Maryland's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Maryland?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,375–$1,975 from Los Angeles to Baltimore (2,740 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,325–$2,075. An SUV costs about $1,550–$2,200, a pickup $1,800–$2,575, and an enclosed trailer $2,075–$2,950 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Maryland?
Transit is usually 6–10 days after pickup for the 2,740-mile trip from Los Angeles to Baltimore. The wait for pickup is separate: typically 1–5 days, or 1–2 days if you pay about 30% more for expedited service.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to Maryland?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in Maryland after moving?
Maryland requires new residents to register within 60 days of becoming a resident. Most cars need a Maryland safety inspection before they can be titled and registered.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to Maryland?
Driving 2,740 miles takes about 6 days: roughly $350 in gas and 5 nights of hotels and meals (about $700). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,375–$1,975. Add wear on the car and 6 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Maryland?
Our directory lists 88 companies based in California and 43 based in Maryland, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 190 that ship nationwide.