West Virginia to California Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 2,545 miles from West Virginia to California falls between $1,362 and $2,146. Delivery typically takes seven–fifteen 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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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to West 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 West Virginia to California car shipping companies
After logging over 400 hours of research in the car shipping industry, we found that these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from West Virginia to California:
- 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
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove 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 West Virginia
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in West Virginia who can get your vehicle to California:
- Applewood Motorcar Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Applewood Motorcar Transport
210 McGuire Ln, Gerrardstown, WV 25420 US
applewoodmotorcar.com
3.5 / 5.0
Applewood provides reliable and trustworthy car transport services. Customers appreciate their professionalism, punctual delivery, and exceptional handling of high-value vehicles. However, some reviews mentioned that the owner can be a bit stern under certain conditions.
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1007612
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 West Virginia to California
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from West Virginia to California, 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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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,545 miles on your car going from West Virginia to California. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from West Virginia to California 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
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.
West Virginia to California auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in West Virginia and California. The average travel distance is about 2,545 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from seven to fifteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Charleston, WV to California
| From West Virginia to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, WV to Los Angeles, CA | $1,244 – $1,960 | 2,330 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Charleston, WV to San Diego, CA | $1,244 – $2,104 | 2,315 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Charleston, WV to San Jose, CA | $1,297 – $2,002 | 2,586 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Charleston, WV to Bakersfield, CA | $1,244 – $2,063 | 2,346 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Charleston, WV to San Francisco, CA | $1,310 – $2,043 | 2,558 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Huntington, WV to California
| From West Virginia to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington, WV to Los Angeles, CA | $1,279 – $2,043 | 2,281 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Huntington, WV to San Diego, CA | $1,305 – $2,002 | 2,265 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Huntington, WV to San Jose, CA | $1,375 – $1,961 | 2,537 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Huntington, WV to Bakersfield, CA | $1,331 – $1,941 | 2,297 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Huntington, WV to San Francisco, CA | $1,375 – $2,085 | 2,508 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Morgantown, WV to California
| From West Virginia to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown, WV to Los Angeles, CA | $1,347 – $2,139 | 2,446 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Morgantown, WV to San Diego, CA | $1,257 – $2,014 | 2,430 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Morgantown, WV to San Jose, CA | $1,430 – $2,190 | 2,665 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Bakersfield, CA | $1,231 – $2,118 | 2,461 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Morgantown, WV to San Francisco, CA | $1,321 – $2,126 | 2,633 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Parkersburg, WV to California
| From West Virginia to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkersburg, WV to Los Angeles, CA | $1,361 – $1,960 | 2,353 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to San Diego, CA | $1,361 – $2,166 | 2,337 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to San Jose, CA | $1,270 – $1,961 | 2,573 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Bakersfield, CA | $1,283 – $2,001 | 2,369 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to San Francisco, CA | $1,297 – $2,146 | 2,541 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Wheeling, WV to California
| From West Virginia to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeling, WV to Los Angeles, CA | $1,296 – $2,084 | 2,369 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Wheeling, WV to San Diego, CA | $1,231 – $2,104 | 2,353 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Wheeling, WV to San Jose, CA | $1,270 – $2,146 | 2,588 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Bakersfield, CA | $1,270 – $2,166 | 2,384 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Wheeling, WV to San Francisco, CA | $1,257 – $2,023 | 2,556 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from West Virginia to California
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 West Virginia to California, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $1,703–$2,683.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from West Virginia to California
Transporting your vehicle from the Mountain State to the Golden State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- 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 West Virginia to California.
- Distance and route: Traveling from West Virginia to California involves roughly 2,545 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from West Virginia around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between West Virginia and California and the varying gas prices across the country.
- 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 West Virginia to California should take between seven and fifteen days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
California vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to California, 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 minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from West Virginia
More than 1.8 million people call West Virginia home. Nicknamed the Mountain State. West Virginia has warm to hot, humid summers and chilly winters. Be sure to check the weather during your move to avoid inclement weather.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 39.0 million people are living in the Golden State. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in West Virginia and delivery in California?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in West Virginia and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from West Virginia to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from West Virginia to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in West Virginia.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. West Virginia's required minimum insurance standards, encompassing liability coverage at $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
How long does it take to ship a car from West Virginia to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from West Virginia to California is about 2,545 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take seven to fifteen days to travel from West Virginia to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
New residents are given 10 days from the date they title a vehicle to have a West Virginia safety inspection at any official inspection station licensed by the West Virginia State Police.
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
If I have a driver’s license in West Virginia, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in West Virginia, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from West Virginia to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both West Virginia and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from West Virginia to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from West Virginia to California 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 West Virginia to California?
Shipping a car from West Virginia to California costs $1,362 to $2,146.
