West Virginia to California Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 2,545 miles from West Virginia to California falls between $1,315 and $2,157. 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
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 West Virginia to California:
- 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
- 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
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 need to ship your car from West Virginia for a move to California, 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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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 2,545 extra miles on your car to travel from West Virginia to California. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from West Virginia to California for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
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!
West Virginia to California 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 West Virginia and California. The trip typically spans 2,545 miles and takes about seven–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 | $1,355 – $2,114 | 2,330 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Charleston, WV to San Diego, CA | $1,262 – $2,008 | 2,315 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Charleston, WV to San Jose, CA | $1,356 – $2,136 | 2,586 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Charleston, WV to Bakersfield, CA | $1,355 – $2,008 | 2,346 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Charleston, WV to San Francisco, CA | $1,302 – $2,115 | 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 | $1,351 – $2,010 | 2,281 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Huntington, WV to San Diego, CA | $1,390 – $2,052 | 2,265 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Huntington, WV to San Jose, CA | $1,409 – $2,136 | 2,537 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Huntington, WV to Bakersfield, CA | $1,377 – $2,010 | 2,297 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Huntington, WV to San Francisco, CA | $1,329 – $2,199 | 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 | $1,274 – $2,234 | 2,446 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Morgantown, WV to San Diego, CA | $1,314 – $2,043 | 2,430 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Morgantown, WV to San Jose, CA | $1,396 – $2,287 | 2,665 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Bakersfield, CA | $1,314 – $2,192 | 2,461 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Morgantown, WV to San Francisco, CA | $1,424 – $2,069 | 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 | $1,355 – $2,199 | 2,353 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to San Diego, CA | $1,262 – $2,199 | 2,337 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to San Jose, CA | $1,275 – $2,136 | 2,573 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Bakersfield, CA | $1,288 – $2,199 | 2,369 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to San Francisco, CA | $1,315 – $2,073 | 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 | $1,302 – $2,220 | 2,369 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Wheeling, WV to San Diego, CA | $1,302 – $2,156 | 2,353 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Wheeling, WV to San Jose, CA | $1,342 – $2,199 | 2,588 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Bakersfield, CA | $1,328 – $2,093 | 2,384 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Wheeling, WV to San Francisco, CA | $1,315 – $2,009 | 2,556 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from West Virginia to California
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 West Virginia to California you should expect to pay between $1,644 and $2,696.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from West Virginia to California
When arranging car transport from the Mountain State to the Golden State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to California.
- Distance and route: The trip from West Virginia to California covers roughly 2,545 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- 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: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from West Virginia to California, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is seven–fifteen days, but you can pay for expedited service.
California vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to California, 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: 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 $1,315 to $2,157.
