California to West Virginia Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,543 miles from California to West Virginia ranges from $1,649 to $2,573 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 West Virginia to California car shipping guide.
California to West 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 West Virginia. The average travel distance is about 2,543 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 7 to 15 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to West Virginia
| From California to West Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Charleston, WV | 2,330 miles | $1,632–$2,624 | 5–13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Huntington, WV | 2,281 miles | $1,692–$2,624 | 5–13 days |
| San Jose, CA to St. Albans, WV | 2,321 miles | $1,649–$2,650 | 5–13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Vienna, WV | 2,354 miles | $1,567–$2,702 | 5–13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Cheat Lake, WV | 2,467 miles | $1,566–$2,537 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to West Virginia
| From California to West Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Charleston, WV | 2,315 miles | $1,583–$2,624 | 5–13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Huntington, WV | 2,266 miles | $1,627–$2,676 | 5–13 days |
| San Jose, CA to St. Albans, WV | 2,305 miles | $1,567–$2,468 | 5–13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Vienna, WV | 2,338 miles | $1,632–$2,546 | 5–13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Cheat Lake, WV | 2,451 miles | $1,664–$2,720 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to West Virginia
| From California to West Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Charleston, WV | 2,586 miles | $1,732–$2,469 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Huntington, WV | 2,536 miles | $1,633–$2,573 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to St. Albans, WV | 2,576 miles | $1,616–$2,495 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Vienna, WV | 2,586 miles | $1,715–$2,547 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Cheat Lake, WV | 2,694 miles | $1,647–$2,677 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to West Virginia
| From California to West Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Charleston, WV | 2,558 miles | $1,715–$2,573 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Huntington, WV | 2,508 miles | $1,715–$2,521 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to St. Albans, WV | 2,548 miles | $1,715–$2,703 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Vienna, WV | 2,554 miles | $1,732–$2,573 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Cheat Lake, WV | 2,662 miles | $1,630–$2,811 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to West Virginia
| From California to West Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Charleston, WV | 2,455 miles | $1,631–$2,615 | 5–13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Huntington, WV | 2,406 miles | $1,550–$2,667 | 5–13 days |
| San Jose, CA to St. Albans, WV | 2,446 miles | $1,615–$2,510 | 5–13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Vienna, WV | 2,479 miles | $1,697–$2,537 | 5–13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Cheat Lake, WV | 2,592 miles | $1,699–$2,677 | 7–15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to West 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 West Virginia you should expect to pay between $2,061 and $3,216.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to West Virginia
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Mountain 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 West Virginia.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to West Virginia spans approximately 2,543 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 West 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 West Virginia should take between 7 and 15 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to West 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 West 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 West Virginia
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,543 miles on your car going from California to West 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 West 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 West Virginia?
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: If you are moving to West Virginia and you have a valid, non-expired out-of-state license, you are eligible to transfer the license. If your out-of-state license has expired, you are required to take all tests and obtain a certified driving record, dated no more than 30 days from the date of the application, from the state in which you were previously licensed.
- Additional taxes: New residents with a vehicle already titled in their name in another state do not need to pay sales taxes in West Virginia for it.
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 West Virginia
About 22 million people are living in the Mountain State of West Virginia. West Virginia has warm to hot, humid summers and chilly winters. Be sure to check the weather during your move to avoid inclement weather.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in West 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 West Virginia.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to West Virginia?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to West 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 West 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. West Virginia's required minimum insurance standards, encompassing liability coverage at $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to West Virginia?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to West Virginia is about 2543 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 West 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.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in West Virginia?
If you are moving to West Virginia and you have a valid, non-expired out-of-state license, you are eligible to transfer the license. If your out-of-state license has expired, you are required to take all tests and obtain a certified driving record, dated no more than 30 days from the date of the application, from the state in which you were previously licensed.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in West Virginia after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to West Virginia after purchasing it.
New residents with a vehicle already titled in their name in another state do not need to pay sales taxes in West Virginia for it.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and West Virginia to avoid any hidden costs.
