California to Virginia Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,645 miles from California to Virginia ranges from $1,715 to $2,704 and takes 7–15 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Virginia to California car shipping guide.
California to Virginia auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and Virginia. The average travel distance is about 2,645 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 7 to 15 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Virginia
| From California to Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Virginia Beach, VA | 2,722 miles | $1,668–$2,644 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Chesapeake, VA | 2,720 miles | $1,685–$2,590 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Arlington, VA | 2,668 miles | $1,631–$2,704 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Norfolk, VA | 2,715 miles | $1,668–$2,671 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Richmond, VA | 2,617 miles | $1,732–$2,783 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Virginia
| From California to Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Virginia Beach, VA | 2,707 miles | $1,668–$2,590 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Chesapeake, VA | 2,705 miles | $1,807–$2,617 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Arlington, VA | 2,650 miles | $1,614–$2,624 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Norfolk, VA | 2,691 miles | $1,648–$2,571 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Richmond, VA | 2,600 miles | $1,682–$2,518 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Virginia
| From California to Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Virginia Beach, VA | 2,978 miles | $1,790–$2,812 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Chesapeake, VA | 2,976 miles | $1,899–$2,754 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Arlington, VA | 2,843 miles | $1,685–$2,659 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Norfolk, VA | 2,963 miles | $1,754–$3,015 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Richmond, VA | 2,872 miles | $1,845–$2,659 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Virginia
| From California to Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Virginia Beach, VA | 2,979 miles | $1,718–$2,783 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Chesapeake, VA | 2,984 miles | $1,736–$3,015 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Arlington, VA | 2,811 miles | $1,809–$2,883 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Norfolk, VA | 2,973 miles | $1,736–$2,783 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Richmond, VA | 2,882 miles | $1,721–$2,939 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Virginia
| From California to Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Virginia Beach, VA | 2,845 miles | $1,721–$2,771 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Chesapeake, VA | 2,845 miles | $1,756–$2,687 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Arlington, VA | 2,787 miles | $1,772–$2,780 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Norfolk, VA | 2,832 miles | $1,738–$2,827 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Richmond, VA | 2,740 miles | $1,668–$2,835 | 7–15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Virginia
Since vehicles like SUV, 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 California to Virginia you should expect to pay between $2,144 and $3,380.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Virginia
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Old Dominion State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Virginia.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Virginia spans approximately 2,645 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of California, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between California and Virginia 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 California to Virginia should take between 7 and 15 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to Virginia car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to Virginia:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Virginia
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,645 miles on your car going from California to Virginia. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from California to Virginia for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from California to Virginia?
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: To obtain a driver's license, individuals must pass written, vision, and driving tests. To be eligible, individuals must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner's permit for at least 9 months. Specialized license types such as motorcycle, commercial, and provisional for under 18 are also available. Drivers with a valid out-of-state license can convert it without taking the test. Driver's licenses are issued by the DMV and are valid for 8 years, and can be renewed online or in person.
- Additional taxes: When moving to Virginia, you will need to register your vehicle with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 30 days of establishing residency in the state. As part of the registration process, you will be required to pay various taxes and fees, including a personal property tax on your vehicle. The amount of tax you will need to pay will depend on the value of your vehicle and the county or city in which you reside. Additionally, you may also need to pay a one-time vehicle titling fee, depending on the age of your vehicle. You should check with the Virginia DMV for specific details and requirements.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from California
Over 39 million people call California home. Nicknamed 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.
Transporting your vehicle to Virginia
About 22 million people are living in the Old Dominion State of Virginia. 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Virginia?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Virginia.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Virginia?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Virginia, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Virginia, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Virginia?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Virginia is about 2645 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take 7-15 days to travel from California to Virginia.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Virginia?
To obtain a driver's license, individuals must pass written, vision, and driving tests. To be eligible, individuals must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner's permit for at least 9 months. Specialized license types such as motorcycle, commercial, and provisional for under 18 are also available. Drivers with a valid out-of-state license can convert it without taking the test. Driver's licenses are issued by the DMV and are valid for 8 years, and can be renewed online or in person.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Virginia after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Virginia after purchasing it.
When moving to Virginia, you will need to register your vehicle with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 30 days of establishing residency in the state. As part of the registration process, you will be required to pay various taxes and fees, including a personal property tax on your vehicle. The amount of tax you will need to pay will depend on the value of your vehicle and the county or city in which you reside. Additionally, you may also need to pay a one-time vehicle titling fee, depending on the age of your vehicle. You should check with the Virginia DMV for specific details and requirements.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Virginia to avoid any hidden costs.
