Maryland to California Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for shipping from Maryland to California is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Clean your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage during the inspection.

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

Check fluids and battery: Make sure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and coolant. Ensure your battery is charged.

Remove accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, or loose parts that could get damaged during transport.

Have keys ready: Provide a working key to the driver for loading and unloading.

Document everything: Take photos of your car from all angles before shipping.

For a complete checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures your car arrives safely in California and helps avoid any issues during pickup or delivery.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Maryland to California. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before we ship your car, we check that your carrier’s insurance is active and valid for your entire trip. We also require all carriers to list Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy for extra protection.

What this means for you: If any damage happens during your Maryland to California shipment, you’re covered. Our insurance requirements exceed industry standards to give you peace of mind on this cross-country journey.

You’ll receive your carrier’s insurance details before pickup, so you have all the information you need for your records.

For Maryland to California car shipping, we recommend booking your pickup service at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and your preferred pickup dates.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better carrier availability: Popular routes like Maryland to California fill up quickly
• Lower costs: Early bookings allow carriers to plan efficient multi-car loads
• Flexible scheduling: More time means more pickup window options

Peak season tip: During summer months (May-September), book 3-4 weeks ahead as demand is highest for cross-country moves.

Need to ship on short notice? We can often accommodate rush orders within 3-7 days, though rates may be higher and pickup times less flexible.

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 transport is the most common and budget-friendly option. Your car rides on an open trailer alongside other vehicles. It’s safe and reliable for most cars, but your vehicle is exposed to weather and road debris during the Maryland to California journey.

Enclosed transport costs 40-60% more but provides complete protection. Your car travels inside a covered trailer, shielded from weather, dust, and debris. This is ideal for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.

For most Maryland to California moves, open transport works great and saves money. Choose enclosed if your car is worth over $50,000 or has sentimental value. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for more details.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service from Maryland to California. This means we pick up your car from your home or office and deliver it directly to your new address.

When you book with Sherpa Auto Transport, simply provide your pickup address in Maryland and delivery address in California. Our carrier will come to these exact locations whenever possible.

Sometimes, large trucks cannot access narrow streets or areas with low bridges. In these cases, we will arrange a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station. We always work with you to find the most convenient alternative location.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle during your Maryland to California move. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or arrange extra transportation.

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!