Route guide · CA → MD
Shipping a car from California to Maryland
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
- 174
City to city
What it costs between California and Maryland cities
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 |
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 carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in California and Maryland, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end California
122 companies based in California: 91 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,809 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc Los Alamitos · 965 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568253
- Professional Auto Transport Inc Jurupa Valley · 257 trucks · since 2003 · USDOT 1130314
- Central Valley Auto Transport Inc Strathmore · 76 trucks · since 2001 · USDOT 978079
- DBN Auto Transport Anaheim · 75 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2979175
- Safe Auto Transport Inc N Highlands · 44 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2411467
Delivery end Maryland
52 companies based in Maryland: 52 carriers, 0 brokers, 187 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Right Way Auto Transport Inc Elkton · 37 trucks · since 1989 · USDOT 355181
- Always Auto Transport LLC Joppa · 8 trucks · since 2011 · USDOT 2191536
- Moveacar Transport Hanover · 7 trucks · since 2019 · USDOT 3249253
- Borsuk Transport Inc Bel Air · 6 trucks · since 2019 · USDOT 3244362
- Apex Auto Transport LLC Fallston · 5 trucks · since 2000 · USDOT 877305
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
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 122 companies based in California and 52 based in Maryland, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.