California to Virginia Car Shipping (With 2023 Costs)
Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car from California to Virginia ranges from $1,598 to $2,493.
| Estimated Cost | Distance of Shipment | Estimated transit time |
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| $1,598 - $2,493 | 2650 miles | 7 - 15 days |
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Shipping a Car from California to Virginia
Use the following resources for more information on your auto transportation needs:
- The best car shipping companies: Don’t run the risk. Reliable auto transport companies will save you from many headaches. These are our picks for your route.
- Best California to Virginia movers: Moving too? We’ve handpicked the best moving companies between California and Virginia
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate of moving costs.
- California to Virginia movers cost: Everything you should know about moving from California to Virginia.
Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and California car shippers you should use.
The best California to Virginia car shippers
A good car shipping company should cover the basics. These are the things to look out for in a quality transport company:
- Insurance: Make sure the insurance covers both the company and the hauler the company contracts with to ship the car.
- Experience: Look for a company that has multiple years of experience and a good track record.
- Shipping options: Good car shipping companies will offer open and closed transport, expedited delivery, shipment tracking, and more.
- Added Perks: Damage coverage, no initial deposits, rental car assistance, free car wash, and guaranteed pricing are some additional options great car shippers offer.
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The average cost to ship a car from California to Virginia
| Estimated Cost | Distance of Shipment | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|
| $1,598 - $2,493 | 2650 miles | 7 - 15 days |
Because the distance between California to Virginia is about 2650 miles, it’ll take from 7 to 15 days to complete your car shipment.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Virginia
- Los Angeles to Virginia Beach: $1,634 to $2,564
- Los Angeles to Chesapeake: $1,634 to $2,564
- Los Angeles to Arlington: $1,598 to $2,493
- Los Angeles to Norfolk: $1,634 to $2,564
- Los Angeles to Richmond: $1,598 to $2,493
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Virginia
- San Diego to Virginia Beach: $1,634 to $2,564
- San Diego to Chesapeake: $1,634 to $2,564
- San Diego to Arlington: $1,598 to $2,493
- San Diego to Norfolk: $1,634 to $2,564
- San Diego to Richmond: $1,598 to $2,493
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Virginia
- San Jose to Virginia Beach: $1,701 to $2,727
- San Jose to Chesapeake: $1,701 to $2,727
- San Jose to Arlington: $1,668 to $2,633
- San Jose to Norfolk: $1,701 to $2,727
- San Jose to Richmond: $1,668 to $2,633
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Virginia
- San Francisco to Virginia Beach: $1,701 to $2,727
- San Francisco to Chesapeake: $1,701 to $2,727
- San Francisco to Arlington: $1,668 to $2,633
- San Francisco to Norfolk: $1,701 to $2,727
- San Francisco to Richmond: $1,668 to $2,633
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Virginia
- Fresno to Virginia Beach: $1,668 to $2,633
- Fresno to Chesapeake: $1,668 to $2,633
- Fresno to Arlington: $1,634 to $2,564
- Fresno to Norfolk: $1,668 to $2,633
- Fresno to Richmond: $1,634 to $2,564
Shipping an SUV or Truck from California to Virginia
Since vehicles such as 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 California to Virginia you should expect to pay between $1,998 and $3,116.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Virginia
- Open Carrier or Enclosed Trailer – Most new cars from ports and factories are moved on open auto carriers, while race cars, vintage collector’s cars, and high-dollar luxury cars get enclosed transport
- Time of the year – Due to demand, prices tend to be a little higher in the summer.
- Size, Weight, and Type of Vehicle – The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more shipping will cost.
- 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, this delivery should take between 7 and 15 days.
- Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal at origin and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.
How car shipping from California to Virginia works
- After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from California to Virginia.
- Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in California where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
- Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in Virginia on your delivery date.
What else should you know about shipping a car from California to Virginia?
- Car Insurance requirements: In Virginia, all drivers must have liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for one person's injury or death, $50,000 for multiple person's injury or death and $20,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is also required with the same limits.
- Vehicle Inspection: 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.
- Driver’s License: To obtain a driver's license, individuals must pass written, vision, and driving tests. To be eligible, individuals must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner's permit for at least 9 months. Specialized license types such as motorcycle, commercial, and provisional for under 18 are also available. Drivers with a valid out-of-state license can convert it without taking the test. Driver's licenses are issued by the DMV and are valid for 8 years, and can be renewed online or in person.
- Additional Taxes: When moving to Virginia, you will need to register your vehicle with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 30 days of establishing residency in the state. As part of the registration process, you will be required to pay various taxes and fees, including a personal property tax on your vehicle. The amount of tax you will need to pay will depend on the value of your vehicle and the county or city in which you reside. Additionally, you may also need to pay a one-time vehicle titling fee, depending on the age of your vehicle. You should check with the Virginia DMV for specific details and requirements.
Alternative ways to ship your car
- Drive it yourself: Straightforward but not always an option and it will put a lot of miles on your car.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a reputable mover, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Drivewaway: Hire someone to drive the car for you. It’s an option…
- 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!
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Shipping Your Car from California to Virginia FAQs
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Virginia?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18-years-old to be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Virginia.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Virginia?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Virginia, it’s not required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Virginia, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
