Virginia to Tennessee Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 552 miles from Virginia to Tennessee ranges from $796 to $1,188 and takes 1–6 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 Tennessee to Virginia car shipping guide.
Virginia to Tennessee 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 Tennessee. The average travel distance is about 552 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 6 days.
Cost to ship a car from Virginia Beach, VA to Tennessee
| From Virginia to Tennessee | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Nashville, TN | 719 miles | $933–$1,331 | 1–6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Memphis, TN | 930 miles | $1,008–$1,470 | 2–7 days |
| Arlington, VA to Clarksville, TN | 764 miles | $936–$1,368 | 2–7 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Knoxville, TN | 541 miles | $800–$1,094 | 1–6 days |
| Richmond, VA to Chattanooga, TN | 651 miles | $932–$1,274 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chesapeake, VA to Tennessee
| From Virginia to Tennessee | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Nashville, TN | 715 miles | $989–$1,412 | 1–6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Memphis, TN | 926 miles | $968–$1,594 | 2–7 days |
| Arlington, VA to Clarksville, TN | 760 miles | $1,004–$1,354 | 2–7 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Knoxville, TN | 536 miles | $857–$1,161 | 1–6 days |
| Richmond, VA to Chattanooga, TN | 647 miles | $852–$1,243 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Arlington, VA to Tennessee
| From Virginia to Tennessee | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Nashville, TN | 661 miles | $904–$1,287 | 1–6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Memphis, TN | 872 miles | $983–$1,468 | 2–7 days |
| Arlington, VA to Clarksville, TN | 706 miles | $980–$1,426 | 1–6 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Knoxville, TN | 483 miles | $741–$1,051 | 1–4 days |
| Richmond, VA to Chattanooga, TN | 593 miles | $885–$1,189 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norfolk, VA to Tennessee
| From Virginia to Tennessee | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Nashville, TN | 711 miles | $980–$1,385 | 1–6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Memphis, TN | 923 miles | $958–$1,578 | 2–7 days |
| Arlington, VA to Clarksville, TN | 757 miles | $1,013–$1,439 | 2–7 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Knoxville, TN | 533 miles | $783–$1,105 | 1–6 days |
| Richmond, VA to Chattanooga, TN | 644 miles | $915–$1,294 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Richmond, VA to Tennessee
| From Virginia to Tennessee | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Nashville, TN | 613 miles | $879–$1,235 | 1–6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Memphis, TN | 824 miles | $982–$1,486 | 2–7 days |
| Arlington, VA to Clarksville, TN | 658 miles | $877–$1,287 | 1–6 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Knoxville, TN | 435 miles | $726–$1,067 | 1–4 days |
| Richmond, VA to Chattanooga, TN | 546 miles | $775–$1,116 | 1–6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia to Tennessee
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 Tennessee you should expect to pay between $995 and $1,485.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Virginia to Tennessee
When transporting your vehicle from the Old Dominion State to the Volunteer 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 Tennessee.
- Distance and route: The journey from Virginia to Tennessee spans approximately 552 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee should take between 1 and 6 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Virginia to Tennessee 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 Tennessee:
- 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 Tennessee
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 552 miles on your car going from Virginia to Tennessee. 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
- Car insurance requirements: Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.
- Vehicle inspection: In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
- Driver’s license: To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.
- Additional taxes: When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.
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 Tennessee
About 22 million people are living in the Volunteer State of Tennessee. Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Virginia and when dropping off my car in Tennessee?
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 Tennessee.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Virginia to Tennessee?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Virginia to Tennessee, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Tennessee, 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. Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from Virginia to Tennessee?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Virginia to Tennessee is about 552 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 1-6 days to travel from Virginia to Tennessee.
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.
In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
If I have a driver’s license in Virginia, will I need one in Tennessee?
To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.
If I bought a car in Virginia, will I be required to pay sales tax in Tennessee after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Virginia to Tennessee after purchasing it.
When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Virginia and Tennessee to avoid any hidden costs.
