Virginia to Louisiana Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,018 miles from Virginia to Louisiana ranges from $960 to $1,584 and takes 2–8 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 Louisiana to Virginia car shipping guide.
Virginia to Louisiana auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Virginia and Louisiana. The average travel distance is about 1,018 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Virginia Beach, VA to Louisiana
| From Virginia to Louisiana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to New Orleans, LA | 1,053 miles | $980–$1,520 | 2–8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | 1,109 miles | $1,121–$1,637 | 2–8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Shreveport, LA | 1,179 miles | $1,024–$1,654 | 2–8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Lafayette, LA | 1,163 miles | $1,121–$1,637 | 2–8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Lake Charles, LA | 1,233 miles | $1,199–$1,746 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chesapeake, VA to Louisiana
| From Virginia to Louisiana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to New Orleans, LA | 1,038 miles | $1,039–$1,504 | 2–8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | 1,093 miles | $1,029–$1,647 | 2–8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Shreveport, LA | 1,163 miles | $1,089–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Lafayette, LA | 1,148 miles | $1,110–$1,637 | 2–8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Lake Charles, LA | 1,218 miles | $1,141–$1,799 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Arlington, VA to Louisiana
| From Virginia to Louisiana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to New Orleans, LA | 1,081 miles | $1,039–$1,520 | 2–8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | 1,136 miles | $1,089–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Shreveport, LA | 1,189 miles | $1,089–$1,721 | 2–8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Lafayette, LA | 1,191 miles | $1,132–$1,620 | 2–8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Lake Charles, LA | 1,261 miles | $1,129–$1,693 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norfolk, VA to Louisiana
| From Virginia to Louisiana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to New Orleans, LA | 1,033 miles | $1,039–$1,584 | 2–8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | 1,092 miles | $1,029–$1,647 | 2–8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Shreveport, LA | 1,162 miles | $1,121–$1,654 | 2–8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Lafayette, LA | 1,146 miles | $1,078–$1,772 | 2–8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Lake Charles, LA | 1,217 miles | $1,141–$1,782 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Richmond, VA to Louisiana
| From Virginia to Louisiana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to New Orleans, LA | 1,002 miles | $1,010–$1,504 | 2–8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Baton Rouge, LA | 1,058 miles | $1,039–$1,584 | 2–8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Shreveport, LA | 1,128 miles | $1,121–$1,721 | 2–8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Lafayette, LA | 1,112 miles | $1,078–$1,772 | 2–8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Lake Charles, LA | 1,182 miles | $1,056–$1,772 | 2–8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia to Louisiana
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 Virginia to Louisiana you should expect to pay between $1,200 and $1,980.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Virginia to Louisiana
When transporting your vehicle from the Old Dominion State to the Pelican 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 Louisiana.
- Distance and route: The journey from Virginia to Louisiana spans approximately 1,018 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana should take between 2 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Virginia to Louisiana 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 Virginia to Louisiana:
- 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 Virginia to Louisiana
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,018 miles on your car going from Virginia to Louisiana. 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 Virginia to Louisiana 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 Virginia to Louisiana?
- Car insurance requirements: The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
- Vehicle inspection: In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Virginia
Over 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 Louisiana
About 22 million people are living in the Pelican State of Louisiana. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Virginia and when dropping off my car in Louisiana?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Virginia and when dropping it off in Louisiana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Virginia to Louisiana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Virginia to Louisiana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Louisiana, 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.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
How long does it take to ship a car from Virginia to Louisiana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Virginia to Louisiana is about 1018 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-8 days to travel from Virginia to Louisiana.
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.
In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
If I have a driver’s license in Virginia, will I need one in Louisiana?
New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in Virginia, will I be required to pay sales tax in Louisiana after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Virginia to Louisiana after purchasing it.
In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Virginia and Louisiana to avoid any hidden costs.
