California to West Virginia Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 2,543 miles from California to West Virginia falls between $1,331 and $2,033. Delivery typically takes seven–fifteen days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our West Virginia to California car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best California to West Virginia car shipping companies
Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from California to West Virginia:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in California
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in California can deliver your vehicle to West Virginia:
- Jp Logistics & Motorsports: 3.94 out of 5 stars
- Auto Express Inc.: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- King Of The Road Transport Inc: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- A To Z Auto Shipping: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.: 3.78 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to West Virginia
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from California to West Virginia, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 2,543 extra miles on your car to travel from California to West Virginia. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from California to West Virginia. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
Ship by train
Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
California to West Virginia auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in California and West Virginia. The average journey covers about 2,543 miles and takes roughly seven to fifteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to West Virginia
| From California to West Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Charleston, WV | $1,331 – $2,033 | 2,328 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Huntington, WV | $1,300 – $2,140 | 2,279 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Morgantown, WV | $1,317 – $2,175 | 2,444 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Parkersburg, WV | $1,277 – $2,225 | 2,351 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Wheeling, WV | $1,411 – $2,161 | 2,367 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to West Virginia
| From California to West Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA to Charleston, WV | $1,304 – $2,075 | 2,312 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Huntington, WV | $1,327 – $2,098 | 2,263 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Morgantown, WV | $1,357 – $2,261 | 2,428 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Parkersburg, WV | $1,317 – $2,204 | 2,334 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Wheeling, WV | $1,291 – $2,182 | 2,351 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to West Virginia
| From California to West Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to Charleston, WV | $1,399 – $2,205 | 2,592 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Huntington, WV | $1,331 – $2,226 | 2,543 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Morgantown, WV | $1,427 – $2,227 | 2,664 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Parkersburg, WV | $1,331 – $2,226 | 2,570 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Wheeling, WV | $1,399 – $2,055 | 2,587 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bakersfield, CA to West Virginia
| From California to West Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA to Charleston, WV | $1,277 – $2,118 | 2,344 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Huntington, WV | $1,273 – $2,077 | 2,295 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Morgantown, WV | $1,317 – $2,197 | 2,460 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Parkersburg, WV | $1,358 – $2,054 | 2,367 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Wheeling, WV | $1,358 – $2,097 | 2,383 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to West Virginia
| From California to West Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Charleston, WV | $1,426 – $2,033 | 2,560 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Huntington, WV | $1,290 – $2,162 | 2,511 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Morgantown, WV | $1,455 – $2,315 | 2,632 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Parkersburg, WV | $1,304 – $2,183 | 2,538 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Wheeling, WV | $1,358 – $2,140 | 2,555 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to West Virginia
Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
Shipping a larger vehicle from California to West Virginia usually runs between $1,664 and $2,541.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from California to West Virginia
When moving your vehicle from the Golden State to the Mountain State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- 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: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to West Virginia.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to West Virginia spans about 2,543 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of California in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from California to West Virginia, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from California to West Virginia takes seven–fifteen days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
West Virginia vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to West Virginia, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance requirements: West Virginia's required minimum insurance standards, encompassing liability coverage at $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
- Vehicle inspection: New residents are given 10 days from the date they title a vehicle to have a West Virginia safety inspection at any official inspection station licensed by the West Virginia State Police.
- Driver’s license: If you are moving to West Virginia and you have a valid, non-expired out-of-state license, you are eligible to transfer the license. If your out-of-state license has expired, you are required to take all tests and obtain a certified driving record, dated no more than 30 days from the date of the application, from the state in which you were previously licensed.
- Additional taxes: New residents with a vehicle already titled in their name in another state do not need to pay sales taxes in West Virginia for it.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from California
More than 39.0 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State. 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.
Transporting your vehicle to West Virginia
About 1.8 million people are living in the Mountain State. West Virginia has warm to hot, humid summers and chilly winters. Be sure to check the weather during your move to avoid inclement weather.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in West Virginia?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in West Virginia.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to West Virginia?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to West Virginia, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to West Virginia, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
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.
West Virginia's required minimum insurance standards, encompassing liability coverage at $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to West Virginia?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to West Virginia is about 2,543 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take seven to fifteen days to travel from California to West Virginia.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
New residents are given 10 days from the date they title a vehicle to have a West Virginia safety inspection at any official inspection station licensed by the West Virginia State Police.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in West Virginia?
If you are moving to West Virginia and you have a valid, non-expired out-of-state license, you are eligible to transfer the license. If your out-of-state license has expired, you are required to take all tests and obtain a certified driving record, dated no more than 30 days from the date of the application, from the state in which you were previously licensed.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in West Virginia after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to West Virginia after purchasing it.
New residents with a vehicle already titled in their name in another state do not need to pay sales taxes in West Virginia for it.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and West Virginia to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to West Virginia?
The cheapest way to ship a car from California to West Virginia is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to West Virginia?
Shipping a car from California to West Virginia costs $1,331 to $2,033.
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