Virginia to North Carolina Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 153 miles from Virginia to North Carolina usually costs between $360 and $484. Transit time is about one–four days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina:
- 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 North Carolina:
- 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 North Carolina
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Virginia to North Carolina, 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 straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 153 miles to your vehicle on the route from Virginia to North Carolina. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Virginia to North Carolina. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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 North Carolina auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Virginia and North Carolina. The average journey covers about 153 miles and takes roughly one to four days.
Cost to ship a car from Virginia Beach, VA to North Carolina
| From Virginia to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Charlotte, NC | $530 – $731 | 345 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Raleigh, NC | $414 – $543 | 201 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Greensboro, NC | $453 – $594 | 253 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Durham, NC | $444 – $543 | 201 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Winston-Salem, NC | $438 – $598 | 279 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chesapeake, VA to North Carolina
| From Virginia to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake, VA to Charlotte, NC | $525 – $668 | 329 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Raleigh, NC | $422 – $555 | 186 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Greensboro, NC | $428 – $583 | 237 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Durham, NC | $402 – $533 | 186 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Winston-Salem, NC | $431 – $564 | 264 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Arlington, VA to North Carolina
| From Virginia to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington, VA to Charlotte, NC | $531 – $772 | 398 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC | $466 – $598 | 275 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Arlington, VA to Greensboro, NC | $489 – $675 | 306 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Arlington, VA to Durham, NC | $427 – $570 | 255 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Arlington, VA to Winston-Salem, NC | $489 – $675 | 332 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norfolk, VA to North Carolina
| From Virginia to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk, VA to Charlotte, NC | $540 – $717 | 328 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Raleigh, NC | $382 – $533 | 184 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Greensboro, NC | $428 – $589 | 236 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Durham, NC | $406 – $528 | 184 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Winston-Salem, NC | $431 – $582 | 262 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Richmond, VA to North Carolina
| From Virginia to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA to Charlotte, NC | $461 – $636 | 294 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC | $375 – $507 | 170 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Richmond, VA to Greensboro, NC | $440 – $532 | 202 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Richmond, VA to Durham, NC | $363 – $519 | 150 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Richmond, VA to Winston-Salem, NC | $423 – $598 | 228 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia to North Carolina
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from Virginia to North Carolina, expect costs to range from $450 to $605.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Virginia to North Carolina
When moving your vehicle from the Old Dominion State to the Tar Heel 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: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Virginia to North Carolina.
- Distance and route: The journey from Virginia to North Carolina spans about 153 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: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Virginia to North Carolina, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes one–four days, while expedited service costs more.
North Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to North Carolina, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- Car insurance requirements: Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
- Vehicle inspection: Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
- Driver’s license: New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.
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 North Carolina
About 10.8 million people are living in the Tar Heel State. North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Virginia and delivery in North Carolina?
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 North Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Virginia to North Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Virginia to North Carolina, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to North Carolina, 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.
Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
How long does it take to ship a car from Virginia to North Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Virginia to North Carolina is about 153 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Virginia to North Carolina.
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.
Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
If I have a driver’s license in Virginia, will I need one in North Carolina?
New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in Virginia, will I be required to pay sales tax in North Carolina after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Virginia to North Carolina after purchasing it.
If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Virginia and North Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Virginia to North Carolina?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Virginia to North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Shipping a car from Virginia to North Carolina costs $360 to $484.
500 E Main St 16th floor, Norfolk, VA 23510 US
1518 Willow Lawn Dr, Richmond, VA 23230 US
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