Virginia to Louisiana Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 1,019 miles from Virginia to Louisiana typically falls between $782 and $1,278. The process usually takes two–eight days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit 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
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Virginia to Louisiana:
- 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 Virginia
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Virginia that can relocate 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
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 1,019 miles to your car on the trip from Virginia to Louisiana. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Virginia to Louisiana. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
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
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in Virginia and Louisiana. The trip typically spans 1,019 miles and takes about two–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 | $823 – $1,291 | 1,051 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | $923 – $1,390 | 1,109 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Shreveport, LA | $861 – $1,446 | 1,178 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Metairie, LA | $831 – $1,251 | 1,055 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Lafayette, LA | $870 – $1,375 | 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 | $848 – $1,357 | 1,036 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | $790 – $1,343 | 1,093 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Shreveport, LA | $914 – $1,333 | 1,163 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Metairie, LA | $790 – $1,251 | 1,040 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Lafayette, LA | $870 – $1,446 | 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 | $848 – $1,370 | 1,081 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | $896 – $1,432 | 1,138 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Shreveport, LA | $852 – $1,333 | 1,188 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Metairie, LA | $848 – $1,330 | 1,084 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA | $923 – $1,347 | 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 | $831 – $1,343 | 1,034 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | $840 – $1,317 | 1,092 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Shreveport, LA | $905 – $1,375 | 1,161 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Metairie, LA | $799 – $1,291 | 1,038 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Lafayette, LA | $870 – $1,375 | 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 | $790 – $1,251 | 1,000 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | $782 – $1,357 | 1,058 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Shreveport, LA | $852 – $1,390 | 1,127 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Metairie, LA | $815 – $1,291 | 1,004 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Lafayette, LA | $932 – $1,460 | 1,112 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia to Louisiana
Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.
For this route from Virginia to Louisiana, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $978–$1,598.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Virginia to Louisiana
When moving your vehicle from the Old Dominion State to the Pelican State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- 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: 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 approximately 1,019 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from Virginia in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Virginia and Louisiana.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes two–eight days, while expedited service costs more.
Louisiana vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Louisiana, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- 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 $782 to $1,278.
500 E Main St 16th floor, Norfolk, VA 23510 US
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