Route guide · MD → CA
Shipping a car from Maryland to California
Shipping a running sedan from Baltimore to Los Angeles 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 #95 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
- 9.5K
- Companies at both ends
- 174
City to city
What it costs between Maryland and California cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Baltimore, Frederick, Salisbury and Cumberland and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose — 2,560 to 3,010 road miles apart.
| From | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $1,375–$1,9752,740 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0502,930 mi · 6–10 days | $1,375–$1,9502,700 mi · 6–10 days | $1,425–$2,0252,870 mi · 6–10 days |
| Frederick | $1,375–$1,9502,690 mi · 6–10 days | $1,425–$2,0252,880 mi · 6–10 days | $1,350–$1,9252,650 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0002,810 mi · 6–10 days |
| Salisbury | $1,400–$2,0002,810 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,0753,010 mi · 7–11 days | $1,400–$1,9752,770 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0502,950 mi · 6–10 days |
| Cumberland | $1,350–$1,9252,610 mi · 6–9 days | $1,400–$2,0002,790 mi · 6–10 days | $1,325–$1,9002,560 mi · 6–9 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
Baltimore to Los Angeles, 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 Maryland to California 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 Maryland to California
About 9,504 people moved from Maryland to California in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (10,107 in 2023, 8,901 in 2024). That is 5.3% of everyone who left Maryland for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 10,564 people a year move from California back to Maryland — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,675, shipping from Maryland to California is among the most expensive routes out of Maryland; Texas ($1,200) and Florida ($1,100) cost less. 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
At roughly 2,740 road miles, Baltimore to Los Angeles is a cross-country haul. Federal hours-of-service rules cap truck drivers at 11 hours behind the wheel a day, so plan on 6–10 days in transit once the car is loaded. The car heads west and crosses 3 time zones — from Eastern to Pacific 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 Maryland and California, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup 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
Delivery 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
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to California but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Maryland? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Maryland to states near California
To California from states near Maryland
FAQ
Maryland to California car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and California's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Maryland to California?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,375–$1,975 from Baltimore to Los Angeles (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 Maryland to California?
Transit is usually 6–10 days after pickup for the 2,740-mile trip from Baltimore to Los Angeles. Getting the car picked up takes another 1–5 days on a standard booking; expedited pickup within 1–2 days costs about 30% more.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Maryland to California?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. Whatever the month, a flexible pickup date booked 2–3 weeks out gets the best price.
How soon do I have to register my car in California after moving?
California requires new residents to register within 20 days of becoming a resident. The car must pass a California smog check, and it has to meet California emission standards to be registered at all.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Maryland to California?
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 Maryland to California?
Our directory lists 52 companies based in Maryland and 122 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.