California to West Virginia Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 2,543 miles from California to West Virginia ranges from $1,332 to $1,998. Expect the trip to take around seven–fifteen days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use 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
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from California to West Virginia:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- 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
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
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
When moving from California to West Virginia, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 2,543 miles on your car to travel between California and West Virginia. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from California to West Virginia for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves 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!
California to West Virginia auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in California and West Virginia. The typical distance is about 2,543 miles, with shipping times generally falling between seven and 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 – $2,038 | 2,328 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Huntington, WV | $1,315 – $1,957 | 2,279 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Morgantown, WV | $1,254 – $2,153 | 2,444 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Parkersburg, WV | $1,216 – $1,936 | 2,351 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Wheeling, WV | $1,331 – $1,936 | 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 | $1,306 – $1,997 | 2,312 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Huntington, WV | $1,251 – $2,119 | 2,263 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Morgantown, WV | $1,318 – $1,969 | 2,428 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Parkersburg, WV | $1,267 – $2,038 | 2,334 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Wheeling, WV | $1,242 – $2,058 | 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 | $1,345 – $2,120 | 2,592 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Huntington, WV | $1,281 – $1,936 | 2,543 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Morgantown, WV | $1,345 – $2,121 | 2,664 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Parkersburg, WV | $1,242 – $1,977 | 2,570 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Wheeling, WV | $1,345 – $1,977 | 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 | $1,280 – $1,997 | 2,344 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Huntington, WV | $1,327 – $1,978 | 2,295 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Morgantown, WV | $1,292 – $2,092 | 2,460 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Parkersburg, WV | $1,280 – $1,976 | 2,367 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Wheeling, WV | $1,344 – $2,058 | 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 | $1,307 – $1,957 | 2,560 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Huntington, WV | $1,332 – $1,957 | 2,511 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Morgantown, WV | $1,305 – $2,142 | 2,632 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Parkersburg, WV | $1,332 – $2,059 | 2,538 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Wheeling, WV | $1,307 – $2,140 | 2,555 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to West Virginia
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from California to West Virginia, the price usually falls between $1,665 and $2,498.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from California to West Virginia
If you’re shipping a car from the Golden State to the Mountain State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to West Virginia.
- Distance and route: The route from California to West Virginia is about 2,543 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- 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: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between California and West Virginia.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is seven–fifteen days, but you can pay for expedited service.
West Virginia vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in West Virginia, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- 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 $1,332 to $1,998.
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