Rhode Island to Virginia Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 552 miles from Rhode Island to Virginia ranges from $675 to $919 and takes one–six days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Virginia to Rhode Island car shipping guide.

The best Rhode Island to Virginia car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Rhode Island to Virginia:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
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  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (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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Check prices (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Rhode Island to Virginia

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 552 miles on your car going from Rhode Island 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 need to ship your car from Rhode Island for a move to Virginia, 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.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from Rhode Island 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!

RI to VA auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Rhode Island and Virginia. The average travel distance is about 552 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days .

Cost to ship a car from Providence, RI to Virginia

From Rhode Island to Virginia Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Providence, RI to Virginia Beach, VA $657 – $927 542 miles 1 – 6 days
Providence, RI to Chesapeake, VA $684 – $880 547 miles 1 – 6 days
Providence, RI to Arlington, VA $569 – $812 411 miles 1 – 4 days
Providence, RI to Norfolk, VA $704 – $973 542 miles 1 – 6 days
Providence, RI to Richmond, VA $618 – $895 519 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Warwick, RI to Virginia

From Rhode Island to Virginia Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Warwick, RI to Virginia Beach, VA $677 – $899 536 miles 1 – 6 days
Warwick, RI to Chesapeake, VA $697 – $964 541 miles 1 – 6 days
Warwick, RI to Arlington, VA $617 – $836 405 miles 1 – 4 days
Warwick, RI to Norfolk, VA $697 – $917 536 miles 1 – 6 days
Warwick, RI to Richmond, VA $664 – $877 513 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Cranston, RI to Virginia

From Rhode Island to Virginia Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cranston, RI to Virginia Beach, VA $664 – $880 539 miles 1 – 6 days
Cranston, RI to Chesapeake, VA $691 – $880 544 miles 1 – 6 days
Cranston, RI to Arlington, VA $611 – $845 408 miles 1 – 4 days
Cranston, RI to Norfolk, VA $670 – $936 539 miles 1 – 6 days
Cranston, RI to Richmond, VA $664 – $931 516 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Pawtucket, RI to Virginia

From Rhode Island to Virginia Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Pawtucket, RI to Virginia Beach, VA $670 – $899 547 miles 1 – 6 days
Pawtucket, RI to Chesapeake, VA $668 – $977 552 miles 1 – 6 days
Pawtucket, RI to Arlington, VA $611 – $812 416 miles 1 – 4 days
Pawtucket, RI to Norfolk, VA $697 – $964 547 miles 1 – 6 days
Pawtucket, RI to Richmond, VA $651 – $850 524 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from East Providence, RI to Virginia

From Rhode Island to Virginia Cost Distance Estimated transit time
East Providence, RI to Virginia Beach, VA $637 – $880 543 miles 1 – 6 days
East Providence, RI to Chesapeake, VA $677 – $973 548 miles 1 – 6 days
East Providence, RI to Arlington, VA $617 – $795 412 miles 1 – 4 days
East Providence, RI to Norfolk, VA $657 – $899 543 miles 1 – 6 days
East Providence, RI to Richmond, VA $683 – $939 520 miles 1 – 6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Rhode Island to Virginia

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 Rhode Island to Virginia you should expect to pay between $844 and $1,149.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from RI to VA

When transporting your vehicle from the Ocean 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 Rhode Island to Virginia spans approximately 552 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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island to Virginia should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Virginia vehicle regulations you need to know

  • 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 Rhode Island

More than 39 million people call Rhode Island home. Nicknamed the Ocean State, Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.

Transporting your vehicle to Virginia

About 22 million people are living in the Old Dominion State. 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 you ship a car for pickup in Rhode Island and delivery in Virginia?

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Rhode Island and when dropping it off in Virginia.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Rhode Island to Virginia?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.

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 Rhode Island to Virginia?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Rhode Island to Virginia is about 552 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Rhode Island to Virginia.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed 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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island and Virginia to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Rhode Island to Virginia?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Rhode Island to Virginia 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 Rhode Island to Virginia?

Shipping a car from Rhode Island to Virginia costs $675 to $919.

Helpful Rhode Island resources