Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from San Jose, California to Hagerstown, Maryland

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,780 miles from California to Maryland ranges from $1,323 to $2,142 and takes seven–fifteen days depending on factors like the transport type and season.

It's usually cheaper to drive for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, shipping can become competitive or even cheaper when you factor in the "hidden" costs of driving (gas, hotels, food, wear-and-tear) versus the upfront shipping fee, especially if you're moving with others or have an unreliable car.

Shipping a car by train is generally cheaper, especially for long distances (500+ miles), due to higher capacity and lower cost-per-mile, but trucks offer door-to-door convenience, while trains require drop-off/pickup at terminals, adding costs and time, making trucks better for flexibility and short hauls, and trains better for budget and long cross-country trips.