Route guide · VA → CA
Shipping a car from Virginia to California
Shipping a running sedan from Virginia Beach to Los Angeles costs about $1,400–$2,000 on an open carrier and $2,100–$3,000 in an enclosed trailer, with 6–10 days in transit. It ranks #44 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,700
- Road miles
- 2,800
- Days in transit
- 6–10
- People moving a year
- 17.0K
- Companies at both ends
- 150
City to city
What it costs between Virginia and California cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Virginia Beach, Richmond, Alexandria and Roanoke and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose — 2,490 to 3,020 road miles apart.
| From | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $1,400–$2,0002,800 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,1003,020 mi · 7–11 days | $1,375–$1,9752,750 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0502,950 mi · 6–10 days |
| Richmond | $1,375–$1,9502,700 mi · 6–10 days | $1,425–$2,0502,910 mi · 6–10 days | $1,350–$1,9252,650 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0252,840 mi · 6–10 days |
| Alexandria | $1,375–$1,9752,720 mi · 6–10 days | $1,425–$2,0502,910 mi · 6–10 days | $1,350–$1,9502,670 mi · 6–10 days | $1,425–$2,0252,850 mi · 6–10 days |
| Roanoke | $1,325–$1,8752,540 mi · 6–9 days | $1,400–$1,9752,760 mi · 6–10 days | $1,300–$1,8752,490 mi · 5–9 days | $1,375–$1,9502,690 mi · 6–10 days |
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Virginia Beach to Los Angeles, 2,800 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $1,400–$2,000 | $2,100–$3,000 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,575–$2,250 | $2,350–$3,350 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,750–$2,500 | $2,625–$3,750 |
| Pickup truck | $1,825–$2,600 | $2,725–$3,900 |
| Motorcycle | $850–$1,200 | $1,250–$1,800 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Virginia to California is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,700 Peak: about $1,825
About this route
Why so many cars go from Virginia to California
About 16,969 people moved from Virginia to California in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (15,837 in 2023, 18,100 in 2024). That is 6.6% of everyone who left Virginia for another state, making California its #4 destination.
Traffic runs both ways — about 20,976 people a year move from California back to Virginia — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,700, shipping from Virginia to California costs more than sending a car to Arizona ($1,550) and Colorado ($1,350) but less than to Washington ($1,725). That works out to about 61¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Count on 6–10 days on the truck for the 2,800 road miles from Virginia Beach to Los Angeles — federal rules cap drivers at 11 hours a day behind the wheel, and a full carrier makes several stops on the way. The car heads west and crosses 3 time zones — from Eastern to Pacific time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- Trucks usually take the southern route across the desert Southwest, which stays open all winter — one reason this lane runs on schedule year-round.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Virginia and California, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Virginia
28 companies based in Virginia: 26 carriers, 2 brokers, 107 trucks in total, 12 years in business on average.
- Prestige Auto Transport Mount Crawford · 28 trucks · since 2004 · USDOT 1306068
- Autova Auto Transport LLC Madison Hts · 7 trucks · since 2023 · USDOT 4122145
- Ata Centreville · 6 trucks · since 2012 · USDOT 2303078
- Cavalier Transport Inc Spotsylvania · 5 trucks · since 2018 · USDOT 3193540
- Helens Transportation LLC Frederickburg · 5 trucks · since 2008 · USDOT 1779934
Delivery end California
122 companies based in California: 91 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,809 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc Los Alamitos · 965 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568253
- Professional Auto Transport Inc Jurupa Valley · 257 trucks · since 2003 · USDOT 1130314
- Central Valley Auto Transport Inc Strathmore · 76 trucks · since 2001 · USDOT 978079
- DBN Auto Transport Anaheim · 75 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2979175
- Safe Auto Transport Inc N Highlands · 44 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2411467
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to California but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Virginia? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Virginia to states near California
To California from states near Virginia
FAQ
Virginia to California car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and California's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Virginia to California?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,400–$2,000 from Virginia Beach to Los Angeles (2,800 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,300–$2,100. An SUV costs about $1,575–$2,250, a pickup $1,825–$2,600, and an enclosed trailer $2,100–$3,000 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Virginia to California?
Transit is usually 6–10 days after pickup for the 2,800-mile trip from Virginia Beach to Los Angeles. The wait for pickup is separate: typically 1–5 days, or 1–2 days if you pay about 30% more for expedited service.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Virginia to California?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in California after moving?
California requires new residents to register within 20 days of becoming a resident. The car must pass a California smog check, and it has to meet California emission standards to be registered at all.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Virginia to California?
Driving 2,800 miles takes about 6 days: roughly $360 in gas and 5 nights of hotels and meals (about $700). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,400–$2,000. Add wear on the car and 6 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Virginia to California?
Our directory lists 28 companies based in Virginia and 122 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.