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 24 companies based in Virginia and 34 based in Washington, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 190 that ship nationwide.

Virginia to Washington Car Shipping: Cost & Time (2026)

Car shipping from Virginia to Washington

Car transport from Virginia to Washington runs 2,890 road miles between the biggest metros. 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.

Prices updated October 2026 · Estimates, not quotes · Calculate for your car →

Open carrier, sedan

$1,725

Road miles

2,890

Days in transit

6–10

People moving a year

5.3K

Companies at both ends

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

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

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

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.