Virginia to North Carolina Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 153 miles from Virginia to North Carolina falls between $374 and $545. Delivery typically takes one–four days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
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  • Door-to-door service
  • No upfront payment

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our North Carolina to Virginia car shipping guide.

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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

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The best Virginia to North Carolina car shipping companies

Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Virginia to North Carolina:

Best for Real-Time Tracking
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.7 / 5
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking
  • Instant online quotes
  • Economy option
  • Ships nationwide
  • Easy online scheduling
read our full review
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best for safety & reliability
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote 224-206-5633
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote 224-206-5633
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
read our full review
Get a quote (864) 492-1221

Top local car shippers in Virginia

Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Virginia ready to move your vehicle to North Carolina:

  1. Safemile Auto Transport: 3.66 out of 5 stars
  2. Richmond Auto Shipping Group: 3.62 out of 5 stars
  3. Speedy Car Shipping Norfolk: 3.56 out of 5 stars
  4. Capital Exports Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  5. Quality Services Moving: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Safemile Auto Transport

500 E Main St 16th floor, Norfolk, VA 23510 US

starstarstarstarstar3.66 / 5.0

Customers frequently commend Safemile for their excellent communication, professional service, and timely deliveries. However, some express initial anxiety about trust in the shipping process before experiencing the service firsthand.

Get a Quote (888) 277-8212

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Shipment tracking
  • Expedited delivery
  • Multi-car transport
  • Classic cars
  • ATVs
  • Motorcycles
  • Heavy equipment
  • Boats
  • Electric vehicles
  • Inoperable cars

Discounts

  • Military
  • Senior

Additional Information

Richmond Auto Shipping Group

1518 Willow Lawn Dr, Richmond, VA 23230 US

starstarstarstarstar3.62 / 5.0

Auto Shipping Group receives praise for its excellent communication, punctual delivery, and strong customer service. Customers appreciated the timely pickup and careful handling of their vehicles, with specific commendations for staff members like Jason and Ali. However, there were few instances of confusion initially concerning the moving process, which was clarified through good support.

Get a Quote (804) 655-0807

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • International shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Expedited delivery
  • Multi-car transport
  • Classic cars
  • RVs
  • Trailers
  • Motorcycles
  • Boats
  • Electric vehicles
  • Inoperable cars

Additional Information

Speedy Car Shipping Norfolk

2607 Wyoming Ave, Norfolk, VA 23513 US

starstarstarstarstar3.56 / 5.0
Get a Quote (757) 654-4855

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • International shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Expedited delivery
  • Multi-car transport
  • Classic cars
  • ATVs
  • Motorcycles
  • Boats
  • Electric vehicles
  • Inoperable cars

Discounts

  • Military
  • Senior

Additional Information

Capital Exports Inc

20559 Meadow Island Pl, Sterling, VA 20165 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 5.0
Get a Quote (703) 406-4720

Services Offered

  • Door-to-door service
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • International shipping
  • Shipment tracking
  • Multi-car transport
  • Storage solutions
  • Classic cars
  • RVs
  • ATVs
  • Trailers
  • Motorcycles
  • Heavy equipment
  • Boats

Additional Information

Quality Services Moving

10595 Furnace Rd # 140, Lorton, VA 22079 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 5.0

Customers commend the professionalism, teamwork, and efficient service of the moving teams, highlighting their care in packing and communication. However, some report significant issues, including poor customer service, damage to property, and unprofessional behavior during the move.

Get a Quote (888) 776-6846

Services Offered

  • International shipping
  • Storage solutions

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Quality Midwestern Holdings, Inc.

How we chose the best car shipping companiestoggle

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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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts

Drive it yourself

This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 153 miles on your car going from Virginia to North Carolina. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.

Hire a driver

You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Virginia to North Carolina. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.

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

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Virginia and North Carolina. The average travel distance is about 153 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days.

Cost to ship a car from Virginia Beach, VA to North Carolinatoggle

From Virginia to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Virginia Beach, VA to Charlotte, NC $567 – $753 345 miles 1 – 4 days
Virginia Beach, VA to Raleigh, NC $462 – $576 201 miles 1 – 4 days
Virginia Beach, VA to Greensboro, NC $439 – $593 253 miles 1 – 4 days
Virginia Beach, VA to Durham, NC $444 – $594 201 miles 1 – 4 days
Virginia Beach, VA to Winston-Salem, NC $494 – $681 279 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Chesapeake, VA to North Carolinatoggle

From Virginia to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Chesapeake, VA to Charlotte, NC $530 – $746 329 miles 1 – 4 days
Chesapeake, VA to Raleigh, NC $405 – $571 186 miles 1 – 4 days
Chesapeake, VA to Greensboro, NC $454 – $606 237 miles 1 – 4 days
Chesapeake, VA to Durham, NC $414 – $571 186 miles 1 – 4 days
Chesapeake, VA to Winston-Salem, NC $430 – $587 264 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Arlington, VA to North Carolinatoggle

From Virginia to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Arlington, VA to Charlotte, NC $616 – $803 398 miles 1 – 4 days
Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC $475 – $668 275 miles 1 – 4 days
Arlington, VA to Greensboro, NC $509 – $666 306 miles 1 – 4 days
Arlington, VA to Durham, NC $444 – $599 255 miles 1 – 4 days
Arlington, VA to Winston-Salem, NC $562 – $746 332 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Norfolk, VA to North Carolinatoggle

From Virginia to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Norfolk, VA to Charlotte, NC $535 – $775 328 miles 1 – 4 days
Norfolk, VA to Raleigh, NC $443 – $543 184 miles 1 – 4 days
Norfolk, VA to Greensboro, NC $435 – $582 236 miles 1 – 4 days
Norfolk, VA to Durham, NC $422 – $543 184 miles 1 – 4 days
Norfolk, VA to Winston-Salem, NC $439 – $587 262 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Richmond, VA to North Carolinatoggle

From Virginia to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Richmond, VA to Charlotte, NC $484 – $668 294 miles 1 – 4 days
Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC $402 – $549 170 miles 1 – 4 days
Richmond, VA to Greensboro, NC $444 – $570 202 miles 1 – 4 days
Richmond, VA to Durham, NC $389 – $513 150 miles 1 – 4 days
Richmond, VA to Winston-Salem, NC $477 – $616 228 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia to North Carolinatoggle

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 North Carolina usually runs between $468 and $681.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from Virginia to North Carolina

When arranging car transport from the Old Dominion State to the Tar Heel State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:

  • Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed 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 North Carolina.
  • Distance and route: Traveling from Virginia to North Carolina involves roughly 153 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
  • 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: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Virginia and North Carolina.
  • Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Virginia to North Carolina takes one–four days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.

North Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know

After relocating to North Carolina, 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: 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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

Shipping a car from Virginia to North Carolina costs $374 to $545.

Helpful Virginia resources