Maryland Car Shipping Services: 2026 Costs & Transit Times

Open carrier: $675 - $1,850, from Southeast runs to cross-country moves

Transit: 1 day to Atlanta, 5-7 days to the West Coast

Enclosed: 21.3% to 38.9% more, by distance

Carrier assigned: 1-3 business days from your first available date

Busiest months: June to August

Main highways: I-95, I-70 and I-83

New residents: title and register within 60 days

How Much Does Car Shipping Cost in Maryland?

Maryland car shipping runs $675 to $1,850 on an open carrier. Baltimore to Atlanta sits at the bottom, and Los Angeles to Baltimore sits at the top. For short trips to Virginia, Pennsylvania or New York, use our calculator for a route-specific price.

Direction changes the price. In our data, every California route costs more coming into Maryland, and most Texas routes cost more going out. Laurel to Los Angeles runs $1,225 to $1,350, for example, while the return trip runs $1,425 to $1,700.

What Affects Your Maryland Shipping Price

Distance sets the base, and the rest of the quote depends on timing, the vehicle and how easy both addresses are to reach.

Distance and route: longer trips cost more in total, though cross-country routes cost less per mile than short ones.
Direction and season: shipping with the crowd, such as south to Florida in the fall, costs more than shipping against it.
Vehicle size: a full-size SUV or pickup uses more deck space and weight than a sedan.
Open or enclosed: enclosed transport adds 21.3% to 38.9%, depending on distance.
Pickup access: Baltimore rowhouse streets, gated communities and rural addresses in Western Maryland or on the Eastern Shore take extra time.
Date flexibility: a pickup window of a few days lets a dispatcher fit your car onto a truck already passing through.
Fuel: diesel prices, tracked weekly by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), feed straight into every quote.

Maryland Car Shipping Prices by Route

Maryland routes run $675 to $1,850 on an open carrier, and the price often depends on direction. The table shows both the inbound and outbound routes Maryland customers book most.

Route	Distance (mi)	Transit time	Open price from Maryland	Open price to Maryland
Baltimore, MD - Los Angeles, CA	2,660	5-7 days	$1,275 - $1,450	$1,375 - $1,850
Baltimore, MD - Denver, CO	1,660	3-4 days	$1,350 - $1,450	$1,075 - $1,325
Baltimore, MD - Atlanta, GA	690	1 day	$675 - $800	$750 - $975
Baltimore, MD - Houston, TX	1,460	2-3 days	$1,025 - $1,175	$875 - $1,275
Baltimore, MD - Dallas, TX	1,380	2-3 days	$1,050 - $1,275	$900 - $1,350
Bethesda, MD - Los Angeles, CA	2,640	5-7 days	$1,250 - $1,400	$1,250 - $1,525
Annapolis, MD - San Diego, CA	2,650	5-7 days	$1,300 - $1,575	$1,475 - $1,725
Laurel, MD - Los Angeles, CA	2,650	5-7 days	$1,225 - $1,350	$1,425 - $1,700
Hagerstown, MD - Houston, TX	1,400	2-3 days	$1,275 - $1,350	$925 - $1,400
Silver Spring, MD - Fort Lauderdale, FL	1,040	2-3 days	$850 - $900	$725 - $950
Frederick, MD - San Diego, CA	2,580	5-7 days	$1,350	$1,475 - $1,625
Bethesda, MD - San Antonio, TX	1,610	3-4 days	$1,125 - $1,150	$1,225 - $1,275
Silver Spring, MD - Sacramento, CA	2,730	5-7 days	$1,450	$1,625 - $1,700
Silver Spring, MD - Phoenix, AZ	2,310	4-5 days	$1,325 - $1,450	$1,375
Bowie, MD - Phoenix, AZ	2,280	4-5 days	$1,225 - $1,375	$1,400
Frederick, MD - El Paso, TX	1,950	3-4 days	$1,300 - $1,375	$1,375
Upper Marlboro, MD - Houston, TX	1,450	2-3 days	$1,050 - $1,125	$875
Hyattsville, MD - Dallas, TX	1,350	2-3 days	$1,075 - $1,125	$975
Bethesda, MD - Miami, FL	1,070	2-3 days	$950 - $1,000	$950 - $1,000
Silver Spring, MD - Seattle, WA	2,750	5-7 days	$1,525 - $1,725	$1,450

_{Prices are open-carrier ranges from SGT bookings to and from Maryland from the last 6 months from the date of last modification, and include door-to-door service, carrier insurance, and fuel.}

Enclosed car shipping has a percentage premium over open car shipping because it's rarer. Each premium increase is based on distance. You can calculate the amount it would cost you to ship a car from or to Maryland by using the SGT Auto Transport smart calculator.

Distance	Enclosed premium	Example routes
Under 500 miles	+21.3%	Virginia, Pennsylvania
500-999 miles	+28.0%	Atlanta
1,000-1,499 miles	+34.1%	Houston, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Miami
1,500-1,999 miles	+38.9%	Denver, San Antonio, El Paso
2,000+ miles	+37.3%	Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Phoenix, Seattle

Car shipping to or from Maryland takes up to 7 days in transit, depending on distance. Add 1 to 3 business days to assign a carrier, the step called dispatch.

Route type	Example	Transit time
Mid-Atlantic and Northeast	Brooklyn, Charlotte, Cleveland	Up to 1 day
Southeast and Midwest	Atlanta, Columbia, Chicago	1 day
Central Florida and the Gulf South	Tampa, Orlando, Montgomery	1-2 days
East Texas and South Florida	Houston, Dallas, Miami	2-3 days
Mountain West and West Texas	Denver, San Antonio, El Paso, Albuquerque	3-4 days
Southwest	Phoenix, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City	4-5 days
West Coast	Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland	5-7 days

A loaded truck can't drive around the clock. Federal hours-of-service rules limit drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour workday, so a carrier covers about 500 to 700 miles a day. The driver also stops to load and unload other cars on the same truck.

If your ship-by date is fixed, and you need to get your car on a trailer sooner than 3 days, then consider our express auto transport service. It cuts dispatch to 1 to 2 business days, and Guaranteed Pick-up sets a 24-hour pickup window. Keep in mind that neither shortens the drive.

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Spring (March to May): college move-out in May starts the moving season, and snowbirds return north from Florida.

Summer (June to August): PCS orders, family moves, federal and contractor job moves in the DC suburbs and August college move-in keep trucks full. Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead.

Fall (September to December): snowbirds head south on I-95, so Maryland to Florida prices rise while trucks coming back north have room.

Winter (January to February): demand is lighter, but snow and ice can delay pickups on I-68 and I-70 in Garrett and Allegany counties.

Open carriers are the standard choice for most cars, and they cost less. Enclosed transport costs 21.3% to 38.9% more, depending on distance, and keeps the car inside a covered trailer for the whole trip.

An open carrier holds 8 to 10 cars on two uncovered decks. An enclosed trailer holds 1 to 6, so spots are limited, and you should book 2 to 4 weeks ahead.

Enclosed transport is worth the extra cost for:

Classic, exotic, luxury and collector cars that shouldn't sit in the open for days. Check out our classic & exotic car transport service page for more details.
New or low-clearance cars. Many enclosed trailers use a hydraulic lift gate, a platform that raises the car level so a low front end never scrapes a ramp.
Winter trips and summer storms. Maryland treats its roads with salt and brine in winter, and summer storms bring hail and heavy rain.

Compare the details on our open car transport and enclosed auto transport pages.

SGT arranges pickup and delivery at your address whenever a large carrier can reach it safely. When it can't, the driver meets you at a nearby open lot, usually only a few minutes away.

Door-to-door means the truck comes to you, so you never drive to a terminal. A full car carrier can run 75 to 80 feet long, though, and some Maryland streets can't take one.

Baltimore City rowhouse blocks. Narrow streets in Canton, Fells Point, Federal Hill and Hampden usually mean a meeting point at a larger lot nearby.
The DC suburbs. Many HOA and townhouse communities in Montgomery and Prince George's counties ban large trucks.
Baltimore truck routes since the Key Bridge collapse. The I-695 crossing of the Patapsco River has been gone since March 2024, so trucks use the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95), the Harbor Tunnel (I-895) or the western side of the Beltway. The Maryland Transportation Authority is rebuilding the bridge, with opening expected in late 2030.
The Eastern Shore and Ocean City. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge (US-50/301) backs up on summer weekends, so weekday pickups are the better choice.
Rural Western Maryland. Fewer carriers pass through, so pickup windows can run longer.

Large retail lots near I-95, I-695 or I-270 exits are common meeting points, and your driver confirms the exact spot by phone. If you fly in or out, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport sits right off I-195 near I-95.

Most long-distance loads leave Maryland on I-95, heading north to New York and New England or south to Florida, or on I-70 heading west to the Midwest and beyond.

Northeast and Southeast: I-95.
Midwest and West: I-70 from Baltimore through Frederick and Hagerstown, with some trucks turning onto I-68 at Hancock toward Cumberland and West Virginia.
Pennsylvania: I-83 north to Harrisburg.
Southwest and Texas: I-81 from Hagerstown down the Shenandoah Valley.
Local roads: I-695 (Baltimore Beltway), I-495 (Capital Beltway), I-270, MD-200 (Intercounty Connector), US-50 and US-301.

The Port of Baltimore also shapes the market. It handled 728,225 autos and light trucks in 2025, the second-highest among U.S. ports, bringing steady dealer and import traffic to the area.

SGT Auto Transport serves all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City, from the Chesapeake Bay to the Allegheny Mountains. Any address a carrier can reach safely gets door-to-door service.

Baltimore and the Metro

Baltimore City, Towson, Dundalk, Catonsville, Glen Burnie, Columbia, Ellicott City, Bel Air and Aberdeen, across Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard and Harford counties.

The Washington, DC Suburbs

Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, College Park, Bowie, Laurel, Hyattsville, Upper Marlboro and Waldorf, mostly in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

Annapolis and Southern Maryland

Annapolis, Severna Park, Odenton, Lexington Park, Prince Frederick and La Plata, along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

Western Maryland

Frederick, Hagerstown, Cumberland, Frostburg and Oakland, in Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties. Pickups west of Hagerstown can take longer to schedule, especially in winter.

The Eastern Shore

Salisbury, Ocean City, Easton, Cambridge, Kent Island and Elkton, including Worcester and Wicomico counties. Ocean City's seasonal residents who ship a car in for the summer should book early for June deliveries across the Bay Bridge.

See Baltimore car shipping for more information and details.

Below you can find all zip code areas we serve in Maryland.

We operate in all states and can transport your vehicle to any location across the US. Our most popular are: Annapolis, Baltimore, Bowie, College Park, Cumberland, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt, Hagerstown, Laurel, Rockville, Salisbury, Silver Spring, Westminster

Contact our team to get more information on the prices and delivery time to or from Tennessee or any other state or ZIP code area.

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For short trips to New York, Philadelphia, Virginia or North Carolina, driving is often the sensible choice for one car and one driver. For Florida, Texas or the West, shipping usually makes more sense.

On those longer routes, count fuel, hotel nights, meals, wear on the car and a flight back. The costs add up fast, and you lose days you could spend settling in. Shipping also helps two-car households, since nobody has to make the long drive alone.

Some Maryland snowbirds compare shipping with the Amtrak Auto Train, which carries you and your car from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida. It only runs between those two stations, so you still drive to Lorton and from Sanford. A carrier picks up at your door and delivers to your Florida address.

1

Get a quote.

Enter both addresses, your vehicle and your first available date in the car shipping calculator. Your quote holds for 7 business days.

2

Book.

Choose open or enclosed transport and confirm your pickup window. We assign a vetted carrier and send you the driver's contact details.

3

Pickup and inspection.

You and the driver record the car's condition on the Bill of Lading, the inspection report and receipt you sign at pickup and again at delivery.

4

Delivery and final inspection.

Check for new damage and missing items before you sign the Bill of Lading, then complete payment.

Wash and photograph. Shoot every side, the roof and the odometer with the date visible, and note any existing damage.

Fuel: a quarter tank or less is enough to drive on and off the truck.

EVs: leave a 30% to 50% charge, since carriers don't charge cars in transit.

E-ZPass: remove the transponder. A tag left in the car can be charged at toll points in every E-ZPass state along the route, and Maryland's tolls are fully cashless.

Personal items: up to 100 lbs can stay in the trunk or on the back seat below the window line, and the front seats must be empty.

Basics: check for leaks, turn off the alarm and hand over one key.

Winter pickups: clear snow and ice from the car and the driveway before the truck arrives.

After a winter trip: rinse road salt and brine off the underbody.

Rowhouses and townhouses: tell dispatch in advance if you live on a narrow Baltimore block or in a DC-area townhouse community, so they can plan a meeting point.

The carrier's cargo insurance covers your car from pickup to delivery. Every carrier SGT assigns is registered with the FMCSA, and the policy limit covers all customer vehicles on the load together, not each car individually.

Open carriers carry $100,000 to $150,000 per load, and enclosed carriers carry $250,000 to $3,000,000 per load. You pay no deductible, and you can ask us for the carrier's certificate of insurance before pickup.

Personal items left in the car are not covered by cargo insurance. If you find new damage at delivery, write it on the Bill of Lading before you sign, because that note supports a claim.

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New residents must title and register their car with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) within 60 days of moving. Your Maryland driver's license is due in the same 60 days.

Get Maryland insurance first. The minimum liability coverage is 30/60/15. That means $30,000 for one injured person, $60,000 for all injuries in one accident and $15,000 for property damage.
Pass a Maryland safety inspection. Only stations licensed by the Maryland State Police can do it, and the certificate is valid for 90 days.
Visit an MVA branch. Bring your out-of-state title, form VR-005 (Application for Certificate of Title) if you didn't pre-apply online, your Maryland insurance details and the inspection certificate.
Watch for your emissions notice. After you register, cars in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's and Washington counties and Baltimore City need a Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) test every 2 years.

Maryland's titling excise tax has been 6.5% since July 1, 2025. How it applies to a new resident depends on the car's age. For a car 6 model years old or newer, titling within 60 days of moving gives you credit for tax paid in your previous state, with a $100 minimum. Older cars follow a separate rule. The MVA gives you an estimate when you pre-apply.

Maryland also enforces its plate rules more strictly now. Since October 1, 2026, residents still driving on out-of-state plates get an official notice and a 60-day grace period. After that, fines run $7 a day, up to $420 per vehicle.

Military Car Shipping in Maryland

SGT ships cars for service members moving to or from Maryland bases. On moves within the continental U.S., the military does not usually ship a personal vehicle, so many families drive one car and ship the second. PCS season, from May to August, fills carriers early, so book 2 to 4 weeks ahead.

We serve Fort Meade, Joint Base Andrews, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, the U.S. Naval Academy and Naval Support Activity Annapolis, Walter Reed (NSA Bethesda) and Fort Detrick. On-base delivery needs base access, so most handoffs happen at the gate or just off base. Share your report date when you book, and Guaranteed Pick-up can lock in a 24-hour pickup window. See our military car shipping page for PCS details.

College Car Shipping in Maryland

Students and parents ship cars to Maryland campuses for fall move-in and back home in May. It saves a long drive during the busiest weeks on campus.

We deliver near the University of Maryland in College Park, Johns Hopkins, Towson, UMBC, Morgan State and Salisbury University. Naval Academy midshipmen follow the academy's own car rules. Check campus parking permits before delivery, and ship a few days after move-in weekend to skip campus traffic. Out-of-state students keep their home registration, but a car kept in Maryland for 30 days or more needs a nonresident permit (form VR-111) from the MVA. See college student car shipping for more.

Open car transport is a practical and budget-friendly choice for vehicle shipping. With fast transit times, flexible scheduling, and trusted service, it's no surprise that it's the preferred option for many of our customers.

Our cross-country car transport service offers a simple and convenient way to relocate your vehicle. From short interstate moves to coast-to-coast deliveries, we ensure your car reaches its destination safely and efficiently.

Choose our enclosed auto transport service when your vehicle deserves the highest level of protection. Enclosed trailers shield your car from weather, road debris, dust, and dirt, ensuring it arrives in pristine condition.

Whether you're relocating, buying, or selling a motorcycle, our reliable shipping service makes the process simple. We offer convenient door-to-door transport to ensure your bike arrives safely at its destination.

Need your vehicle picked up on a specific date? Our guaranteed car transport service is designed for customers with strict timelines, ensuring your vehicle is collected as scheduled and delivered with care.

Our college student car transport service makes it easy to bring your vehicle to campus. We pick up your car from your home and deliver it directly to your college, giving you the freedom and convenience of having your own transportation while you study.

Need to ship your vehicle on short notice? Our expedited car shipping service is designed for urgent situations, with vehicle pick-up available in as little as 1-2 business days, helping you stay on schedule.

Military relocations often happen with little notice, making dependable vehicle transport essential. Our military auto transport service supports active and retired military members by providing fast, secure shipping for PCS moves and other assignments.

SGT Auto Transport averages 4.6 out of 5 across Google, the BBB, Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs, from 16,877 reviews. We have shipped cars for 128,940+ customers through a network of 26,000+ vetted carriers.

Licensed broker: registered with the FMCSA under USDOT 2521690 and MC 873392.
Price Match Guarantee: we match a lower quote.
No upfront payment: no deposit, and nothing is charged until a carrier is assigned.
Platform ratings: 4.7 on Google, 4.44 with the BBB, 4.1 on Trustpilot and 3.8 on ConsumerAffairs.

Maryland Car Shipping FAQs

How much does it cost to ship a car to or from Maryland?

It costs $675 to $1,850 on an open carrier, based on SGT bookings over the last 6 months. Baltimore to Atlanta sits at the low end, and Los Angeles to Baltimore at the top. Enclosed adds 21.3% to 38.9%.

How long does it take to ship a car from Maryland to Florida?

North Florida is about 970 miles and 1 to 2 days in transit, while South Florida runs about 1,040 to 1,070 miles and 2 to 3 days. With 1 to 3 business days to assign a carrier, most cars arrive 2 to 6 days after your first available date.

What is the cheapest time to ship a car in Maryland?

Late fall and winter, outside the holiday weeks, are usually cheapest. Summer costs the most because of moving season and PCS orders. For Florida trips, shipping north in the fall is easier than shipping south.

Can a car carrier deliver to my street in Baltimore City?

Often not to the door. Rowhouse blocks in Canton, Fells Point, Federal Hill and Hampden are too narrow for a 75-foot carrier. The driver will call ahead and meet you at a nearby open lot.

How far ahead should I book Maryland car shipping?

Book 1 to 2 weeks ahead in most months and 2 to 4 weeks ahead from May to August. Enclosed transport needs 2 to 4 weeks year-round, because covered trailers have fewer spots.

Is my car insured during transport?

Yes. The carrier's cargo insurance covers your car from pickup to delivery, and you pay no deductible. The limit covers all customer vehicles on the load together, not each car individually. Personal items aren't covered.

Can I pack personal items in my car?

Yes, up to 100 lbs in the trunk or on the back seat below the window line. Keep the front seats empty. Cargo insurance doesn't cover personal items, so remove valuables and your E-ZPass before pickup.

Do I need to be there at pickup and delivery?

You or an adult you choose must be there at both ends. That person inspects the car with the driver and signs the Bill of Lading. Give us the contact's name and phone number when you book.

How long do I have to register my car after moving to Maryland?

You have 60 days to title and register with the Maryland MVA. Since October 1, 2026, residents still on out-of-state plates get a notice, 60 more days, then fines of $7 a day, up to $420.

Do I need an emissions test after moving to Maryland?

Yes, if you live in one of the 13 VEIP counties or Baltimore City. Those include Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Montgomery and Prince George's. Tests repeat every 2 years, and the MVA mails a notice when yours is due.

These routes and city pages cover the most common Maryland moves.

Route	Distance (mi)	Transit time
Maryland to Florida	970 miles	1-2 days
Maryland to California	2,660 miles	5-7 days
Maryland to Texas	1,450 miles	2-3 days
New York to Maryland	320 miles	Up to 1 day
Maryland to Virginia	160 miles	Up to 1 day
Maryland to Pennsylvania	240 miles	Up to 1 day