Virginia to Michigan Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 793 miles from Virginia to Michigan ranges from $803 to $1,102. Expect the trip to take around two–seven days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
|
|
|
|
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Michigan 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 Michigan car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Virginia to Michigan:
- 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 Michigan:
- 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 Michigan
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Virginia to Michigan, 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.
|
|
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
|
Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 793 extra miles on your car to travel from Virginia to Michigan. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Virginia to Michigan is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
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!
Virginia to Michigan auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Virginia and Michigan. Average distances are close to 793 miles, with delivery usually taking two–seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Virginia Beach, VA to Michigan
| From Virginia to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Detroit, MI | $784 – $1,086 | 723 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Grand Rapids, MI | $802 – $1,151 | 853 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Warren, MI | $756 – $1,075 | 739 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Sterling Heights, MI | $794 – $1,042 | 743 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Ann Arbor, MI | $761 – $1,076 | 724 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chesapeake, VA to Michigan
| From Virginia to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake, VA to Detroit, MI | $709 – $1,054 | 721 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Grand Rapids, MI | $818 – $1,198 | 851 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Warren, MI | $748 – $1,108 | 737 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Sterling Heights, MI | $771 – $1,108 | 742 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Ann Arbor, MI | $754 – $1,076 | 722 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Arlington, VA to Michigan
| From Virginia to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington, VA to Detroit, MI | $646 – $857 | 526 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Arlington, VA to Grand Rapids, MI | $702 – $1,050 | 655 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Arlington, VA to Warren, MI | $646 – $929 | 540 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Arlington, VA to Sterling Heights, MI | $620 – $911 | 546 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Arlington, VA to Ann Arbor, MI | $640 – $902 | 525 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norfolk, VA to Michigan
| From Virginia to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk, VA to Detroit, MI | $724 – $1,033 | 715 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Grand Rapids, MI | $814 – $1,159 | 845 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Warren, MI | $726 – $1,086 | 732 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Sterling Heights, MI | $741 – $1,152 | 736 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Ann Arbor, MI | $769 – $1,119 | 716 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Richmond, VA to Michigan
| From Virginia to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA to Detroit, MI | $668 – $1,027 | 623 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Richmond, VA to Grand Rapids, MI | $787 – $1,162 | 753 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Richmond, VA to Warren, MI | $711 – $1,055 | 639 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Richmond, VA to Sterling Heights, MI | $682 – $984 | 644 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Richmond, VA to Ann Arbor, MI | $661 – $1,008 | 624 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia to Michigan
Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Virginia to Michigan you should expect to pay between $1,004 and $1,378.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Virginia to Michigan
When arranging car transport from the Old Dominion State to the Wolverine State, the following factors will determine your overall 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 rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Michigan than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The journey from Virginia to Michigan spans about 793 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Virginia more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Virginia and Michigan.
- 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, getting your car from Virginia to Michigan should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Michigan vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in Michigan, 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: Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
- Vehicle inspection: Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
- Driver’s license: Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
- Additional taxes: In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
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 Michigan
About 10.0 million people are living in the Wolverine State. Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Virginia and delivery in Michigan?
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 Michigan.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Virginia to Michigan?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Virginia to Michigan, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Michigan, 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.
Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from Virginia to Michigan?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Virginia to Michigan is about 793 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Virginia to Michigan.
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.
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
If I have a driver’s license in Virginia, will I need one in Michigan?
Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
If I bought a car in Virginia, will I be required to pay sales tax in Michigan after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Virginia to Michigan after purchasing it.
In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Virginia and Michigan to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Virginia to Michigan?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Virginia to Michigan 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 Michigan?
Shipping a car from Virginia to Michigan costs $803 to $1,102.
500 E Main St 16th floor, Norfolk, VA 23510 US
1518 Willow Lawn Dr, Richmond, VA 23230 US
2607 Wyoming Ave, Norfolk, VA 23513 US
20559 Meadow Island Pl, Sterling, VA 20165 US
10595 Furnace Rd # 140, Lorton, VA 22079 US