Virginia to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,647 miles from Virginia to California ranges from $1,342 to $2,227 and takes seven–fifteen 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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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Virginia car shipping guide.
The best Virginia to California car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Virginia to California:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No upfront payment
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Competitive pricing
- Door-to-door shipping
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
- Competitive pricing
- Last-minute car shipments
- Guaranteed & expedited shipments
- Gap insurance coverage
- Multiple discounts
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Alternative ways to ship your car from Virginia to California
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,647 miles on your car going from Virginia to California. 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 Virginia for a move to California, 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 Virginia to California 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!
VA to CA auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Virginia and California. The average travel distance is about 2,647 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from seven to fifteen days .
Cost to ship a car from Virginia Beach, VA to California
| From Virginia to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,401 – $2,199 | 2,723 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to San Diego, CA | $1,517 – $2,176 | 2,745 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to San Jose, CA | $1,579 – $2,387 | 2,978 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to San Francisco, CA | $1,534 – $2,532 | 2,984 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Fresno, CA | $1,460 – $2,235 | 2,847 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chesapeake, VA to California
| From Virginia to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,445 – $2,358 | 2,720 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to San Diego, CA | $1,416 – $2,244 | 2,705 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to San Jose, CA | $1,504 – $2,411 | 2,975 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to San Francisco, CA | $1,504 – $2,459 | 2,981 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Fresno, CA | $1,549 – $2,375 | 2,844 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Arlington, VA to California
| From Virginia to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington, VA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,413 – $2,249 | 2,664 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Arlington, VA to San Diego, CA | $1,356 – $2,094 | 2,686 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Arlington, VA to San Jose, CA | $1,475 – $2,328 | 2,848 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Arlington, VA to San Francisco, CA | $1,446 – $2,305 | 2,816 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Arlington, VA to Fresno, CA | $1,416 – $2,290 | 2,788 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norfolk, VA to California
| From Virginia to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk, VA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,474 – $2,244 | 2,709 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Norfolk, VA to San Diego, CA | $1,474 – $2,335 | 2,704 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Norfolk, VA to San Jose, CA | $1,564 – $2,291 | 2,964 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Norfolk, VA to San Francisco, CA | $1,549 – $2,315 | 2,970 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Fresno, CA | $1,475 – $2,258 | 2,833 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Richmond, VA to California
| From Virginia to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,441 – $2,271 | 2,616 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Richmond, VA to San Diego, CA | $1,384 – $2,271 | 2,638 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Richmond, VA to San Jose, CA | $1,505 – $2,421 | 2,871 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Richmond, VA to San Francisco, CA | $1,534 – $2,351 | 2,877 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Richmond, VA to Fresno, CA | $1,387 – $2,176 | 2,740 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia to California
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 Virginia to California you should expect to pay between $1,678 and $2,784.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from VA to CA
When transporting your vehicle from the Old Dominion State to the Golden 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 California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Virginia to California spans approximately 2,647 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia and California 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 Virginia to California should take between seven and fifteen days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
California vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Virginia
More than 39 million people call Virginia home. Nicknamed 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.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 22 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Virginia and delivery in California?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Virginia and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Virginia to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Virginia to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Virginia.
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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Virginia to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Virginia to California is about 2,647 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take seven to fifteen days to travel from Virginia to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in Virginia, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Virginia, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Virginia to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Virginia and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Virginia to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Virginia to California 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 Virginia to California?
Shipping a car from Virginia to California costs $1,342 to $2,227.
