Route guide · VA → WA
Shipping a car from Virginia to Washington
Shipping a running sedan from Virginia Beach to Seattle costs about $1,425–$2,025 on an open carrier and $2,150–$3,050 in an enclosed trailer, with 6–10 days in transit. It ranks #185 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,725
- Road miles
- 2,890
- Days in transit
- 6–10
- People moving a year
- 5.3K
- Companies at both ends
- 64
City to city
What it costs between Virginia and Washington cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Virginia Beach, Richmond, Alexandria and Roanoke and Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver and Yakima — 2,380 to 2,900 road miles apart.
| From | Seattle | Spokane | Vancouver | Yakima |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $1,425–$2,0252,890 mi · 6–10 days | $1,350–$1,9252,620 mi · 6–9 days | $1,425–$2,0502,900 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0002,790 mi · 6–10 days |
| Richmond | $1,400–$1,9752,770 mi · 6–10 days | $1,300–$1,8752,500 mi · 5–9 days | $1,400–$2,0002,790 mi · 6–10 days | $1,350–$1,9502,670 mi · 6–10 days |
| Alexandria | $1,375–$1,9752,740 mi · 6–10 days | $1,300–$1,8502,470 mi · 5–9 days | $1,400–$1,9752,760 mi · 6–10 days | $1,350–$1,9252,640 mi · 6–9 days |
| Roanoke | $1,350–$1,9252,650 mi · 6–10 days | $1,275–$1,8252,380 mi · 5–9 days | $1,350–$1,9502,660 mi · 6–10 days | $1,325–$1,8752,540 mi · 6–9 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 Seattle, 2,890 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 | $1,425–$2,025 | $2,150–$3,050 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,600–$2,275 | $2,400–$3,425 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,775–$2,550 | $2,675–$3,825 |
| Pickup truck | $1,850–$2,650 | $2,775–$3,975 |
| Motorcycle | $850–$1,225 | $1,275–$1,825 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in December (the holidays and winter weather up north), running about 10% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Virginia to Washington is March–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,725 Peak: about $1,900
About this route
Why so many cars go from Virginia to Washington
About 5,348 people moved from Virginia to Washington in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (6,092 in 2023, 4,604 in 2024). That is 2.1% of everyone who left Virginia for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 4,072 people a year move from Washington back to Virginia — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,725, shipping from Virginia to Washington is among the most expensive routes out of Virginia; California ($1,700) and Arizona ($1,550) cost less. That works out to about 60¢ 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 2,890 road miles from Virginia Beach to Seattle — 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-northwest 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
- The route crosses mountain passes in the West; from November to March, snow and chain laws can hold trucks for a day or two.
- Winter storms in Washington can slow pickups and deliveries in December through February — leave slack in your schedule.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Virginia and Washington, 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 Washington
36 companies based in Washington: 36 carriers, 0 brokers, 237 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Diesel Auto Express Vancouver · 97 trucks · since 2009 · USDOT 1885300
- DC Trucking Enumclaw · 30 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 3001374
- U Save Auto Transport LLC Moxee · 8 trucks · since 2007 · USDOT 1625792
- DC Auto Carrier LLC Bonney Lake · 7 trucks · since 2022 · USDOT 3871099
- Advanced Auto Transport LLC Kelso · 6 trucks · since 2016 · USDOT 2943372
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Washington but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Virginia? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Virginia to states near Washington
To Washington from states near Virginia
FAQ
Virginia to Washington car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Washington's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Virginia to Washington?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,425–$2,025 from Virginia Beach to Seattle (2,890 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,275–$2,050. An SUV costs about $1,600–$2,275, a pickup $1,850–$2,650, and an enclosed trailer $2,150–$3,050 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Virginia to Washington?
Transit is usually 6–10 days after pickup for the 2,890-mile trip from Virginia Beach to Seattle. 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 Washington?
March–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 10% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in Washington after moving?
Washington requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. You need a Washington driver license before you can register the car.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Virginia to Washington?
Driving 2,890 miles takes about 6 days: roughly $370 in gas and 5 nights of hotels and meals (about $700). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,425–$2,025. Add wear on the car and 6 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Virginia to Washington?
Our directory lists 28 companies based in Virginia and 36 based in Washington, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.