Virginia to Pennsylvania Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 384 miles from Virginia to Pennsylvania ranges from $587 to $771 and takes one–four 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 Pennsylvania to Virginia car shipping guide.
The best Virginia to Pennsylvania car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Virginia to Pennsylvania:
- 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 Pennsylvania
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 384 miles on your car going from Virginia to Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 PA 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 Pennsylvania. The average travel distance is about 384 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .
Cost to ship a car from Virginia Beach, VA to Pennsylvania
| From Virginia to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Philadelphia, PA | $494 – $681 | 279 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Pittsburgh , PA | $598 – $854 | 444 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Erie, PA | $683 – $930 | 566 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Allentown, PA | $562 – $775 | 327 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Reading, PA | $503 – $687 | 303 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chesapeake, VA to Pennsylvania
| From Virginia to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake, VA to Philadelphia, PA | $465 – $648 | 281 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Pittsburgh , PA | $610 – $871 | 442 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Erie, PA | $704 – $979 | 564 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Allentown, PA | $557 – $775 | 329 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Reading, PA | $548 – $772 | 360 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Arlington, VA to Pennsylvania
| From Virginia to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington, VA to Philadelphia, PA | $358 – $526 | 145 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Arlington, VA to Pittsburgh , PA | $452 – $606 | 245 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Arlington, VA to Erie, PA | $536 – $757 | 367 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Arlington, VA to Allentown, PA | $442 – $541 | 193 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Arlington, VA to Reading, PA | $356 – $539 | 154 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norfolk, VA to Pennsylvania
| From Virginia to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk, VA to Philadelphia, PA | $465 – $668 | 277 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Pittsburgh , PA | $654 – $837 | 436 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Erie, PA | $669 – $950 | 559 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Allentown, PA | $539 – $680 | 324 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Reading, PA | $559 – $757 | 354 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Richmond, VA to Pennsylvania
| From Virginia to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA | $475 – $630 | 252 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Richmond, VA to Pittsburgh , PA | $562 – $753 | 344 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Richmond, VA to Erie, PA | $637 – $865 | 466 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Richmond, VA to Allentown, PA | $503 – $680 | 300 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Richmond, VA to Reading, PA | $430 – $617 | 262 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia to Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania you should expect to pay between $734 and $964.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from VA to PA
When transporting your vehicle from the Old Dominion State to the Keystone 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 Pennsylvania.
- Distance and route: The journey from Virginia to Pennsylvania spans approximately 384 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Pennsylvania vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance requirements: When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.
- Vehicle inspection: If you are moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
- Driver’s license: When moving to Pennsylvania, you will need to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and pass a written test, a vision test and a road test. You may also be required to surrender your out-of-state license.
- Additional taxes: New residents must apply for PA title and registration of their vehicle within 20 days of moving to PA, and must surrender the out-of-state title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when doing so.
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 Pennsylvania
About 22 million people are living in the Keystone State. Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Virginia and delivery in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Virginia to Pennsylvania?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Virginia to Pennsylvania, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Pennsylvania, 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.
When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.
How long does it take to ship a car from Virginia to Pennsylvania?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Virginia to Pennsylvania is about 384 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Virginia to Pennsylvania.
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.
If you are moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
If I have a driver’s license in Virginia, will I need one in Pennsylvania?
When moving to Pennsylvania, you will need to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and pass a written test, a vision test and a road test. You may also be required to surrender your out-of-state license.
If I bought a car in Virginia, will I be required to pay sales tax in Pennsylvania after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Virginia to Pennsylvania after purchasing it.
New residents must apply for PA title and registration of their vehicle within 20 days of moving to PA, and must surrender the out-of-state title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when doing so.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Virginia and Pennsylvania to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Virginia to Pennsylvania?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Virginia to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Shipping a car from Virginia to Pennsylvania costs $587 to $771.
