Car shipping from Los Angeles, CA to Baltimore, MD

Our team has been in the car shipping industry for a long time. We worked for some of the largest brokers and knew there was a better way to do things.

So we set out to create a company that would be different. We want to walk you through how the process works and we guarantee to match any price you hear from a competitor.

We're a scrappy team that looks forward to earning your business.

Properly preparing your vehicle for the cross-country journey from Los Angeles to Baltimore is essential for a smooth shipping experience. Here's what you need to do:

Clean and Document: Wash your car thoroughly, inside and out. This makes it easier to spot any existing damage during the pre-shipping inspection. Take photos from multiple angles and note any scratches, dents, or other imperfections.

Remove Personal Items: Carriers are not insured to transport personal belongings, so remove all items from the interior, trunk, and glove compartment. This includes toll passes, GPS devices, garage door openers, and any fragile items that could shift during transit.

Check Fluids and Battery: Ensure your gas tank is between 1/4 and 1/2 full to keep the vehicle light while providing enough fuel for loading and unloading. Check that your battery is charged and all fluid levels are adequate.

Disable Alarms: Turn off or disconnect any car alarms to prevent them from going off during the 2,600+ mile journey across the country.

Secure or Remove Accessories: Take off or secure any custom accessories like spoilers, bike racks, or antennas that could be damaged or come loose in transit. If you're using enclosed transport, you'll have more protection, but it's still wise to remove loose items.

Provide a Key: Make sure you have a working key available for the driver. The carrier will need to load and unload your vehicle at both pickup and delivery.

For a complete preparation checklist and more details, see our How To Ship A Car guide.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Los Angeles, CA to Baltimore, MD. At Sakaem Logistics, we require all our carriers to maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Before your cross-country shipment begins, we verify that the carrier's insurance policy is current, valid, and in good standing.

This coverage protects your vehicle against damage that may occur during loading, transit, and unloading. The insurance remains active for the entire journey from the West Coast to the East Coast, giving you peace of mind throughout the approximately 2,700-mile trip.

We recommend reviewing your carrier's insurance certificate before transport and taking photos of your vehicle's condition at pickup and delivery. For more detailed information about coverage requirements and what's protected, visit our guide on vehicle shipping insurance.

All our quotes are all-inclusive, meaning insurance costs are already factored into your price—no hidden fees or surprise charges when shipping your car across the country.

We recommend scheduling your pickup service from Los Angeles at least 7-14 days in advance for the best results. However, the sooner you book, the better your chances of securing competitive pricing and flexible pickup windows.

Booking early allows carriers to efficiently plan their routes and bundle your vehicle with other shipments heading east toward Baltimore. This cross-country route is popular, but carrier availability can fluctuate based on seasonal demand and current loads. If you need your vehicle shipped on a tight timeline, consider our Expedited Car Shipping Services for faster placement with a carrier.

During peak moving seasons (summer months and end-of-month periods), we suggest booking even earlier—ideally 2-3 weeks out—to ensure you get your preferred dates. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible, but they may come with limited carrier options or higher costs.

We accept all forms of payment. We can arrange credit cards or arrange for you to pay the carrier directly through cash/certified check. We even accept payment via Cash/Zelle/Venmo.

Your shipment with SAKAEM includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If your shipment includes ocean transit (Hawaii shipments), your vehicle must be emptied of all items. SAKAEM and your assigned carrier are not responsible for personal items left inside your vehicle. See our car shipping guide for more details.

A designated (adult) must be present at pickup and delivery. 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 vehicle from Los Angeles to Baltimore, you'll choose between two main transport methods: open and enclosed carriers. Understanding the difference helps you make the right decision for your vehicle and budget.

Open Auto Transport is the most common and economical option. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air trailer alongside other cars, similar to what you see transporting new vehicles to dealerships. While your car is exposed to weather and road debris during the cross-country journey, this method is safe, reliable, and costs significantly less. Most vehicles shipped across the country use open transport without any issues.

Enclosed Auto Transport provides maximum protection by housing your vehicle inside a covered trailer, shielding it from weather, dust, and road debris. This option typically costs 50-60% more than open transport. It's the preferred choice for luxury vehicles, classic cars, exotic sports cars, or any vehicle with custom paint, modifications, or high value where even minor exposure risks aren't acceptable.

For the 2,700-mile trip from Los Angeles to Baltimore, most standard vehicles do perfectly fine with open transport. However, if you're shipping a high-value or collectible vehicle, the added cost of enclosed transport provides peace of mind. Our team at Sakaem Logistics can help you evaluate which option makes the most sense for your specific vehicle and situation.

Yes! We offer door to door car shipping from Los Angeles, CA to Baltimore, MD. This is our most popular service because it's designed for maximum convenience.

Here's how it works: When you book your shipment, we'll ask for your preferred pickup address in Los Angeles and your delivery address in Baltimore. Our assigned carrier will come directly to your location to pick up your vehicle and deliver it right to your door on the other end—no need to drive to a terminal or meet at a warehouse.

In most cases, carriers can access residential driveways and street locations without issue. However, if your street has low-hanging trees, narrow roads, weight restrictions, or other obstacles that make it unsafe for a large car carrier truck, the driver will contact you to arrange a convenient nearby meeting spot. This might be a nearby parking lot, shopping center, or gas station that's easier for the truck to navigate.

Our goal is to make your cross-country vehicle transport as hassle-free as possible. The carrier will work directly with you to ensure a smooth pickup and delivery experience from Los Angeles to Baltimore.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, electric vehicles, vans and motorcycles across all 48 continental states + Hawaii. Our services even provide shipment for golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship vehicles that don't run so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. The only exception is boats, which we do not transport.

See our car shipping guide to learn more about car shipping!