Virginia to Louisiana Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,019 miles from Virginia to Louisiana ranges from $794 to $1,295 and takes two–eight days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Louisiana to Virginia 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 Virginia to Louisiana car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Virginia to Louisiana:
- 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 Virginia
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Virginia who can get your vehicle to Louisiana:
- Safemile Auto Transport: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Richmond Auto Shipping Group: 3.62 out of 5 stars
- Speedy Car Shipping Norfolk: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Capital Exports Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Quality Services Moving: 3.5 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 Virginia to Louisiana
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Virginia for a move to Louisiana, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 1,019 miles to your vehicle on the route from Virginia to Louisiana. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Virginia to Louisiana, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
Virginia to Louisiana auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in Virginia and Louisiana. The typical distance is about 1,019 miles, with shipping times generally falling between two and eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Virginia Beach, VA to Louisiana
| From Virginia to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to New Orleans, LA | $770 – $1,334 | 1,051 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | $882 – $1,299 | 1,109 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Shreveport, LA | $873 – $1,408 | 1,178 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Metairie, LA | $794 – $1,257 | 1,055 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Lafayette, LA | $899 – $1,408 | 1,163 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chesapeake, VA to Louisiana
| From Virginia to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake, VA to New Orleans, LA | $786 – $1,219 | 1,036 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | $762 – $1,283 | 1,093 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Shreveport, LA | $847 – $1,408 | 1,163 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Metairie, LA | $786 – $1,270 | 1,040 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Lafayette, LA | $856 – $1,394 | 1,147 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Arlington, VA to Louisiana
| From Virginia to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington, VA to New Orleans, LA | $826 – $1,245 | 1,081 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | $899 – $1,421 | 1,138 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Shreveport, LA | $873 – $1,367 | 1,188 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Metairie, LA | $818 – $1,283 | 1,084 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA | $890 – $1,408 | 1,192 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norfolk, VA to Louisiana
| From Virginia to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk, VA to New Orleans, LA | $770 – $1,207 | 1,034 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | $754 – $1,283 | 1,092 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Shreveport, LA | $908 – $1,380 | 1,161 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Metairie, LA | $778 – $1,257 | 1,038 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Lafayette, LA | $908 – $1,286 | 1,146 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Richmond, VA to Louisiana
| From Virginia to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA | $826 – $1,232 | 1,000 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | $826 – $1,232 | 1,058 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Shreveport, LA | $839 – $1,394 | 1,127 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Metairie, LA | $778 – $1,257 | 1,004 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Lafayette, LA | $856 – $1,313 | 1,112 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia to Louisiana
Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
Shipping a larger vehicle from Virginia to Louisiana usually runs between $993 and $1,619.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Virginia to Louisiana
If you’re shipping a car from the Old Dominion State to the Pelican State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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 Louisiana.
- Distance and route: The journey from Virginia to Louisiana spans about 1,019 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- 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: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Virginia and Louisiana.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Virginia to Louisiana takes two–eight days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Louisiana vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Louisiana, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- Car insurance requirements: The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
- Vehicle inspection: In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Virginia
More than 8.7 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 Louisiana
About 4.6 million people are living in the Pelican State. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Virginia and delivery in Louisiana?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Virginia and when dropping it off in Louisiana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Virginia to Louisiana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Virginia to Louisiana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Louisiana, 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.
The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
How long does it take to ship a car from Virginia to Louisiana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Virginia to Louisiana is about 1,019 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Virginia to Louisiana.
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 Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
If I have a driver’s license in Virginia, will I need one in Louisiana?
New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in Virginia, will I be required to pay sales tax in Louisiana after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Virginia to Louisiana after purchasing it.
In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Virginia and Louisiana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Virginia to Louisiana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Virginia to Louisiana 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 Virginia to Louisiana?
Shipping a car from Virginia to Louisiana costs $794 to $1,295.
500 E Main St 16th floor, Norfolk, VA 23510 US
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