Virginia to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,645 miles from Virginia to California ranges from $1,614 to $2,571 and takes 7–15 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Virginia car shipping guide.
Virginia to California auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Virginia and California. The average travel distance is about 2,645 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 7 to 15 days.
Cost to ship a car from Virginia Beach, VA to California
| From Virginia to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,722 miles | $1,754–$2,835 | 7–15 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to San Diego, CA | 2,707 miles | $1,685–$2,862 | 7–15 days |
| Arlington, VA to San Jose, CA | 2,978 miles | $1,863–$2,812 | 7–15 days |
| Norfolk, VA to San Francisco, CA | 2,979 miles | $1,754–$2,812 | 7–15 days |
| Richmond, VA to Fresno, CA | 2,845 miles | $1,862–$2,799 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chesapeake, VA to California
| From Virginia to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,720 miles | $1,807–$2,617 | 7–15 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to San Diego, CA | 2,705 miles | $1,668–$2,617 | 7–15 days |
| Arlington, VA to San Jose, CA | 2,976 miles | $1,899–$3,015 | 7–15 days |
| Norfolk, VA to San Francisco, CA | 2,984 miles | $1,881–$2,783 | 7–15 days |
| Richmond, VA to Fresno, CA | 2,845 miles | $1,827–$2,939 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Arlington, VA to California
| From Virginia to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,668 miles | $1,648–$2,677 | 7–15 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to San Diego, CA | 2,650 miles | $1,648–$2,783 | 7–15 days |
| Arlington, VA to San Jose, CA | 2,843 miles | $1,774–$2,939 | 7–15 days |
| Norfolk, VA to San Francisco, CA | 2,811 miles | $1,809–$2,715 | 7–15 days |
| Richmond, VA to Fresno, CA | 2,787 miles | $1,685–$2,753 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norfolk, VA to California
| From Virginia to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,715 miles | $1,720–$2,644 | 7–15 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to San Diego, CA | 2,691 miles | $1,715–$2,757 | 7–15 days |
| Arlington, VA to San Jose, CA | 2,963 miles | $1,718–$2,870 | 7–15 days |
| Norfolk, VA to San Francisco, CA | 2,973 miles | $1,754–$2,957 | 7–15 days |
| Richmond, VA to Fresno, CA | 2,832 miles | $1,685–$2,911 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Richmond, VA to California
| From Virginia to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,617 miles | $1,715–$2,545 | 7–15 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to San Diego, CA | 2,600 miles | $1,715–$2,651 | 7–15 days |
| Arlington, VA to San Jose, CA | 2,872 miles | $1,862–$2,687 | 7–15 days |
| Norfolk, VA to San Francisco, CA | 2,882 miles | $1,827–$2,659 | 7–15 days |
| Richmond, VA to Fresno, CA | 2,740 miles | $1,650–$2,671 | 7–15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia to California
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Virginia to California you should expect to pay between $2,018 and $3,214.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Virginia to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Old Dominion State to the Golden State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Virginia to California spans approximately 2,645 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Virginia, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Virginia and California and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Virginia to California should take between 7 and 15 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Virginia to California car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Virginia to California:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Virginia to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,645 miles on your car going from Virginia to California. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Virginia to California for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Virginia to California?
- Car insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Virginia
Over 39 million people call Virginia home. Nicknamed the Old Dominion State, Virginia has humid hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have a strong effect on eastern and southeastern coastal areas of the Commonwealth, making the climate there warmer and more constant.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State of California. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Virginia and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Virginia and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Virginia to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Virginia to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Virginia.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. It's crucial for drivers to have liability insurance, meeting the state's minimum coverage requirements: $25,000 for individual injury or death, $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, and $20,000 for property damage. Elevate your road safety with mandatory uninsured motorist coverage, ensuring protection with matching limits. Stay road-ready by fulfilling these insurance obligations in Virginia.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
How long does it take to ship a car from Virginia to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Virginia to California is about 2645 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take 7-15 days to travel from Virginia to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
All vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspections at DMV-approved stations. Vehicles that fail can be re-inspected for free within 60 days. Upon passing, a sticker is issued to indicate the vehicle's compliance.
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
If I have a driver’s license in Virginia, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Virginia, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Virginia to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Virginia and California to avoid any hidden costs.
