Michigan to Virginia Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 798 miles from Michigan to Virginia ranges from $984 to $1,420 and takes 2–7 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 Michigan car shipping guide.
Michigan 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 Michigan and Virginia. The average travel distance is about 798 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 7 days.
Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Virginia
| From Michigan to Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Virginia Beach, VA | 723 miles | $989–$1,290 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Chesapeake, VA | 721 miles | $980–$1,399 | 1–6 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Arlington, VA | 524 miles | $800–$1,056 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Norfolk, VA | 715 miles | $961–$1,331 | 1–6 days |
| Flint, MI to Richmond, VA | 623 miles | $870–$1,235 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Virginia
| From Michigan to Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Virginia Beach, VA | 855 miles | $993–$1,438 | 2–7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Chesapeake, VA | 851 miles | $1,032–$1,423 | 2–7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Arlington, VA | 656 miles | $941–$1,365 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Norfolk, VA | 841 miles | $1,008–$1,478 | 2–7 days |
| Flint, MI to Richmond, VA | 754 miles | $994–$1,481 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Virginia
| From Michigan to Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Virginia Beach, VA | 722 miles | $905–$1,399 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Chesapeake, VA | 720 miles | $952–$1,344 | 1–6 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Arlington, VA | 523 miles | $800–$1,078 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Norfolk, VA | 708 miles | $989–$1,317 | 1–6 days |
| Flint, MI to Richmond, VA | 622 miles | $914–$1,223 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lansing, MI to Virginia
| From Michigan to Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Virginia Beach, VA | 793 miles | $974–$1,391 | 2–7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Chesapeake, VA | 790 miles | $935–$1,449 | 2–7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Arlington, VA | 594 miles | $868–$1,237 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Norfolk, VA | 779 miles | $1,013–$1,363 | 2–7 days |
| Flint, MI to Richmond, VA | 693 miles | $882–$1,330 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Flint, MI to Virginia
| From Michigan to Virginia | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Virginia Beach, VA | 777 miles | $994–$1,506 | 2–7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Chesapeake, VA | 775 miles | $994–$1,363 | 2–7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Arlington, VA | 578 miles | $834–$1,165 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Norfolk, VA | 763 miles | $994–$1,340 | 2–7 days |
| Flint, MI to Richmond, VA | 675 miles | $938–$1,369 | 1–6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan 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 Michigan to Virginia you should expect to pay between $1,230 and $1,775.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Michigan to Virginia
When transporting your vehicle from the Wolverine 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 Michigan to Virginia spans approximately 798 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan 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 Michigan to Virginia should take between 2 and 7 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan to Virginia
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 798 miles on your car going from Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan
Over 39 million people call Michigan home. Nicknamed the Wolverine State, Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
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 Michigan 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 Michigan and when dropping it off in Virginia.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to Virginia?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Michigan 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 Michigan.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
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 Michigan to Virginia?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to Virginia is about 798 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-7 days to travel from Michigan to Virginia.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
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 Michigan, 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan 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 Michigan and Virginia to avoid any hidden costs.
