California to Maryland Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for the cross-country journey from California to Maryland is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Clean and inspect your car: Wash your vehicle and take photos of any existing damage. This helps with insurance claims if needed.

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items. Carriers aren’t responsible for personal property.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and a working battery. Your car needs to start and drive onto the carrier.

Secure or remove accessories: Remove or tighten loose parts like spoilers, antennas, or bike racks that could get damaged during transport.

Have keys ready: You’ll need to give the driver a working key when they pick up your vehicle.

For complete preparation details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures your car arrives safely in Maryland.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from California to Maryland. Every carrier in our network must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before we assign your shipment, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy, giving you extra protection.

This insurance covers your vehicle from pickup in California all the way to delivery in Maryland. You can ship with confidence knowing your car is protected throughout the entire journey.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from California to Maryland at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you better options and pricing.

Here’s why advance booking helps:

• Better carrier availability – More transport trucks to choose from
• Lower costs – Carriers can plan efficient routes and offer competitive rates
• Flexible pickup dates – You’re not rushed into the first available slot

During busy seasons (summer and fall), consider booking 3-4 weeks ahead. If you need last-minute service, we can often accommodate rush orders, though expect higher rates and limited scheduling options.

Pro tip: California to Maryland is a popular route, so carriers run it regularly. This works in your favor for both scheduling and pricing when you book ahead.

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.

Open auto transport uses an open trailer where your car is exposed to weather and road debris. It costs less and is the most common method. Enclosed auto transport uses a covered trailer that fully protects your vehicle from the elements.

For shipping from California to Maryland, most people choose open transport because it’s 40-60% cheaper. The 2,700+ mile journey takes the same time either way – typically 7-10 days.

Choose enclosed transport if you have a luxury car, classic vehicle, or custom paint job that needs extra protection. Choose open transport if you want to save money and don’t mind minor dust or dirt that can be easily washed off.

Both options are safe and insured. See our complete open vs enclosed guide for detailed comparisons and photos.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door service for all California to Maryland car shipments. This means we pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or preferred location in California and deliver it directly to your new address in Maryland.

When you book your transport, simply provide us with your pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will coordinate with you to schedule convenient times for both pickup and delivery. This service eliminates the need for you to drive to a terminal or depot.

In some cases, large transport trucks cannot access certain residential areas due to narrow streets, low-hanging branches, or HOA restrictions. If this happens, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station. This ensures your vehicle is still picked up and delivered as close to your door as possible.

Door-to-door service is included in our standard California to Maryland shipping rates, making it both convenient and cost-effective for your cross-country move.

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!