Maryland to Washington Car Shipping

Getting your car ready for transport from Maryland to Washington is simple! Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth, damage-free shipment:

• Clean your vehicle: Wash your car before pickup so the carrier can clearly document its condition during the inspection.
• Document existing damage: Take photos of your vehicle from all angles before handing it over. This protects you if any disputes arise.
• Remove personal belongings: Clear out any personal items from the interior. Most carriers are not insured to cover personal property.
• Remove toll passes and parking tags: Devices like E-ZPass can accidentally scan and charge you during transit. Take them out before shipping.
• Remove exterior accessories: Detach roof racks, spoilers, or bike racks that could be damaged or cause damage during transport.
• Keep the fuel tank low: Aim for about a quarter tank of gas. Enough to load and unload, but not so much that it adds unnecessary weight.
• Check for leaks and mechanical issues: Make sure your vehicle is in good working order. Notify your carrier of any known issues ahead of time.
• Disable car alarms: An alarm that goes off during transit can be a major hassle for your driver. Disable it or provide instructions to turn it off.
• Leave a spare key: Provide the carrier with a key so they can safely load and unload your vehicle.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Since Maryland and Washington are relatively close, your transit time will be short — but proper preparation still makes a big difference!

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Maryland to Washington with Sherpa Auto Transport. Every carrier in our network is required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your car ever leaves Maryland, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing. We don’t just take their word for it — we check it ourselves.

Every contracted carrier is also required to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy. This gives us an added layer of oversight to protect you and your vehicle throughout the entire trip to Washington.

Our quotes are all-inclusive, so there are no hidden fees or surprise charges. The price you see covers everything, including that peace of mind. If you have questions about coverage, our team is happy to walk you through the details before you book.

The sooner you schedule, the better. We recommend booking your car shipment from Maryland to Washington at least two weeks in advance. However, if your move date is flexible, posting your shipment even earlier gives carriers more time to bundle your vehicle with others heading in the same direction — which can also help lower your overall cost.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Book 2–4 weeks out for the best carrier availability and rates.
• Peak seasons matter. Summer months and holidays see higher demand, so schedule even further in advance during those times.
• Last-minute shipments are possible, but they may cost more and offer fewer carrier options.

Since Maryland and Washington are close in proximity, transit times are short — but carrier scheduling still requires lead time. Get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today and lock in your pickup date before your spot fills up.

No payment is due at the time of booking. We do require a payment method on file so that it is available to charge once a carrier is secured. We accept all major debit and credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. The most convenient option is to pay for your shipment in full by credit card at the time a carrier is secured.

We also allow you to pay for your Initial Payment via credit or debit card and then pay the outstanding balance on delivery day via cash or a certified check made out to the carrier.

Your Sherpa shipment includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If you are shipping to or from a port or your shipment includes ocean transit, your vehicle must be emptied of all items. Sherpa and your assigned carrier cannot be responsible for personal items left inside the vehicle. See our Vehicle Shipping Tips for more details.

Yes. It is important that you, or another adult that you trust, is there for pickup and delivery of your vehicle. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle’s condition.

When shipping your car from Maryland to Washington, you have two options: open transport and enclosed transport.

Open transport is the most popular and affordable choice. Your vehicle rides on an open-air trailer — the same kind used to deliver new cars to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and gets the job done for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 50% more, but offers extra protection. Your car travels inside a fully covered trailer, shielded from road debris, weather, and other elements. This is the best choice if you’re shipping a:

• Classic or vintage car
• Luxury or exotic vehicle
• Car with a custom paint job or low ground clearance

For most everyday vehicles making the Maryland to Washington trip, open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice. But if your car holds significant monetary or sentimental value, the added peace of mind from enclosed transport is well worth it.

Not sure which is right for you? Check out our in-depth open vs. enclosed auto transport guide to make the best decision for your vehicle.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments from Maryland to Washington. This is the most convenient and popular option for our customers.

Here’s how it works: when you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Maryland and your delivery address in Washington. Your assigned carrier will come directly to you — no need to drop your vehicle off at a terminal.

Keep in mind that carriers drive large trucks, so tight residential streets or low-clearance areas can sometimes be a challenge. If your address is difficult to access, your driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby alternative — such as a local parking lot or gas station. This is rare, but it’s good to know ahead of time.

Door-to-door service saves you time and keeps the process simple. It’s just one of the ways Sherpa Auto Transport makes shipping your car from Maryland to Washington as stress-free as possible.

Many Auto Transport companies try to tease customers with lower rates, only to surprise you with “hidden costs” later. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we do things differently. We provide one locked-in price upfront and stick to it. If unexpected costs arise, we pay them out of our own pocket.

While we may not always be the cheapest option at first glance, our commitment to transparency and reliability offers exceptional value. As a premium service, we ensure an stress-free experience from start to finish.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles across the nation, including service to Alaska and Hawaii. At this time, we do not service boats, golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship both operable and inoperable vehicles so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. We can also ship electric vehicles.

Visit Sherpa’s FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!