West Virginia to Louisiana Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 1,035 miles from West Virginia to Louisiana falls between $762 and $1,334. Delivery typically takes two–eight 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
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  • Price matching
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Louisiana to West 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 West Virginia to Louisiana 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 Louisiana:

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
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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 Exact Pickup Dates
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (864) 492-1221
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  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Get a quote (864) 492-1221
Best Insurance Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Get a quote (866) 563-0804
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  • Damage-free guarantee
  • $500 damage or loss coverage
  • No deposit
  • Rental car assistance
  • Inoperable car shipping
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Get a quote (866) 563-0804

Top local car shippers in West Virginia

If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in West Virginia that can relocate your vehicle to Louisiana:

  1. Applewood Motorcar Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Applewood Motorcar Transport

210 McGuire Ln, Gerrardstown, WV 25420 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 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.

Get a Quote (304) 229-3784

Services Offered

  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping

Additional Information

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 Louisiana

Ship it with your movers

When moving from West Virginia to Louisiana, 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.

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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 option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 1,035 miles on your car to travel between West Virginia and Louisiana. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.

Hire a driver

Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from West Virginia to Louisiana. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.

Ship by train

Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.

West Virginia to Louisiana auto transport costs and transit times

Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in West Virginia and Louisiana. The average journey covers about 1,035 miles and takes roughly two to eight days.

Cost to ship a car from Charleston, WV to Louisiana

From West Virginia to Louisiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Charleston, WV to New Orleans, LA $816 – $1,253 906 miles 2 – 7 days
Charleston, WV to Baton Rouge, LA $791 – $1,252 963 miles 2 – 7 days
Charleston, WV to Shreveport, LA $776 – $1,179 945 miles 2 – 7 days
Charleston, WV to Metairie, LA $816 – $1,167 910 miles 2 – 7 days
Charleston, WV to Lafayette, LA $833 – $1,295 1,017 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Huntington, WV to Louisiana

From West Virginia to Louisiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Huntington, WV to New Orleans, LA $772 – $1,165 870 miles 2 – 7 days
Huntington, WV to Baton Rouge, LA $768 – $1,241 927 miles 2 – 7 days
Huntington, WV to Shreveport, LA $815 – $1,228 897 miles 2 – 7 days
Huntington, WV to Metairie, LA $756 – $1,201 874 miles 2 – 7 days
Huntington, WV to Lafayette, LA $789 – $1,224 982 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Morgantown, WV to Louisiana

From West Virginia to Louisiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Morgantown, WV to New Orleans, LA $818 – $1,207 1,019 miles 2 – 8 days
Morgantown, WV to Baton Rouge, LA $794 – $1,245 1,076 miles 2 – 8 days
Morgantown, WV to Shreveport, LA $908 – $1,299 1,100 miles 2 – 8 days
Morgantown, WV to Metairie, LA $786 – $1,321 1,023 miles 2 – 8 days
Morgantown, WV to Lafayette, LA $864 – $1,367 1,130 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Parkersburg, WV to Louisiana

From West Virginia to Louisiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Parkersburg, WV to New Orleans, LA $791 – $1,252 970 miles 2 – 7 days
Parkersburg, WV to Baton Rouge, LA $770 – $1,207 1,039 miles 2 – 8 days
Parkersburg, WV to Shreveport, LA $773 – $1,325 996 miles 2 – 7 days
Parkersburg, WV to Metairie, LA $783 – $1,239 974 miles 2 – 7 days
Parkersburg, WV to Lafayette, LA $802 – $1,245 1,093 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Wheeling, WV to Louisiana

From West Virginia to Louisiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Wheeling, WV to New Orleans, LA $770 – $1,219 1,035 miles 2 – 8 days
Wheeling, WV to Baton Rouge, LA $762 – $1,232 1,092 miles 2 – 8 days
Wheeling, WV to Shreveport, LA $770 – $1,308 1,061 miles 2 – 8 days
Wheeling, WV to Metairie, LA $778 – $1,232 1,039 miles 2 – 8 days
Wheeling, WV to Lafayette, LA $882 – $1,421 1,146 miles 2 – 8 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from West Virginia to Louisiana

SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.

For a larger vehicle going from West Virginia to Louisiana, the price usually falls between $953 and $1,668.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from West Virginia to Louisiana

Transporting your vehicle from the Mountain State to the Pelican State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:

  • 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 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 Louisiana.
  • Distance and route: Traveling from West Virginia to Louisiana involves roughly 1,035 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
  • Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of West Virginia, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
  • Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between West Virginia and Louisiana.
  • Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes two–eight days, while expedited service costs more.

Louisiana vehicle regulations you need to know

After relocating to Louisiana, 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 insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
  • Vehicle inspection: In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
  • Driver’s license: New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
  • Additional taxes: In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.

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 Louisiana

About 4.6 million people are living in the Pelican State. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in West Virginia and delivery in Louisiana?

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 Louisiana.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from West Virginia to Louisiana?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from West Virginia to Louisiana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Louisiana, 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 insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.

How long does it take to ship a car from West Virginia to Louisiana?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from West Virginia to Louisiana is about 1,035 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from West Virginia to Louisiana.

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.

In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.

If I have a driver’s license in West Virginia, will I need one in Louisiana?

New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.

If I bought a car in West Virginia, will I be required to pay sales tax in Louisiana after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from West Virginia to Louisiana after purchasing it.

In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both West Virginia and Louisiana to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from West Virginia to Louisiana?

The cheapest way to ship a car from West Virginia to Louisiana 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 Louisiana?

Shipping a car from West Virginia to Louisiana costs $762 to $1,334.

Helpful West Virginia resources