Best Car Shipping Companies In Virginia
While the best Virginia car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
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If you want to move to or from Virginia, whether temporarily or permanently, the process of shipping your car should be easy. In this article, we’ll provide a look at the five best auto transport companies in Virginia that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We will also simplify the shipping quotes for open and enclosed transport services, and provide clear instructions on how to easily ship your car.
The Gist:
- Our team found that Montway Auto Transport is the best Virginia car shipping company, though it’s best to compare rates with those from Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping and AmeriFreight.
- The average cost to ship a car to or from Virginia is $942 for open car shipping services and $1,318 for enclosed auto transport.
- Your car shipping cost in Virginia depends on factors like a city’s size, nearby traffic patterns, and weather conditions.
5 Best Car Shipping Companies In Virginia
We have dedicated more than 300 hours to learn about the auto transport industry. As a result, we can now give you an unbiased review of the top car shipping companies in the field. If you’re moving a car to or from Norfolk, Richmond, Virginia Beach, or beyond, check out our list of the best Virginia car shipping companies.
1. Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall
In 2024, we consider Montway Auto Transport to be the best choice among auto transport companies. While Montway may not have the lowest prices, their dependable service and rates that meet expectations make them stand out. Additionally, Montway outperforms the competition by offering excellent customer service and a wide variety of options.
Montway Auto Transport is a big and well-liked auto transportation company in the country. They serve all 50 states and also provide international shipping. Montway is able to offer customers prices that are lower than the average because they have a large network of carriers.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport review
2. Sherpa Auto Transport: Best For Locked-In Rates
According to our research team’s special rating scale, Sherpa Auto Transport gets a score of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars because of their fixed rates, high customer satisfaction, and different services. As an added bonus, Sherpa also gives customers a $20 reimbursement for a car wash with their Clean Car Guarantee.
Sherpa Auto Transport makes shipping simple and has a guarantee of reliable pricing. They promise that the price they initially quote you will be the final price. If needed, they will even cover up to $300 of any extra expenses so that your rate doesn’t go up.
Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport review
3. SGT Auto Transport: Best Price-Match Guarantee
We gave SGT Auto Transport a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars because it provides different shipping choices at affordable prices. The company received a high score for its services because it offers various options such as open, enclosed, and door-to-door auto transportation, as well as fast delivery and assured pickup dates.
You don’t have to pay with SGT Auto Transport until the carrier is sent to pick up your vehicle. If you find a lower price from another company, SGT Auto Transport will match it. Our team discovered that most customers have a good experience with this provider.
Read more: SGT Auto Transport review
4. American Auto Shipping: Best Service Availability
American Auto Shipping provides various services to transport your vehicle to its desired location. With an excellent rating of 5.0 in the service category, this provider offers door-to-door shipping, both open and enclosed auto transport options, shipping to Hawaii, motorcycle shipping, military vehicle shipping, heavy equipment transport, and more.
American Auto Shipping strives to offer customers a pleasant experience with perks like a covered rental car if your shipment is delayed over 14 days past the delivery date. Another benefit is your choice of pickup times from three different options–standard, priority, or expedited.
Read more: American Auto Shipping review
5. AmeriFreight: Best For Discounts
AmeriFreight has prices that are similar to other companies in the industry, but they also have discounts and pricing tiers that can help customers pay less. Some of the discounts they offer are for people who have used their services before, people who are shipping multiple vehicles, first responders and medical personnel, seniors, students, and more.
AmeriFreight is one of the best car shipping companies because they offer many discounts, match prices, and have great customer service. They work with over 10,000 car carriers and thoroughly check each one to make sure they are licensed and insured.
Read more: AmeriFreight review
Other Virginia Car Shipping Companies
Although we mentioned five well-known car shipping companies on a national level, there are also excellent regional choices for shipping cars in Virginia. Take a look below for an additional provider worth considering.
Safemile Auto Transport
Safemile Auto Transport is headquartered in Norfolk, VA. Learn more about this provider on the Safemile Auto Transport website.
Virginia Car Shipping Costs
The price of shipping cars in Virginia can change a lot based on a few things. Some factors that affect the price depend on what you need, like the kind of transport you choose. When you ship your car, you will probably use either an open or enclosed trailer. In the following sections, we have given the average costs for both methods of shipping to and from Virginia.
Open Car Shipping Costs In Virginia
Open car shipping is when multiple vehicles are transported at the same time using a trailer that doesn’t have walls or a roof. It is a cheaper way to ship cars, but it comes with more risks compared to enclosed transport services.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Virginia using open auto transport is $942, which is 7 percent cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Virginia car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Norfolk to New York | $489 |
| Norfolk to Los Angeles | $1,329 |
| Norfolk to Chicago | $769 |
| San Francisco to Norfolk | $1,399 |
| Miami to Norfolk | $899 |
| Richmond to New York | $539 |
| Richmond to Los Angeles | $1,199 |
| Richmond to Chicago | $669 |
| San Francisco to Richmond | $1,199 |
| Miami to Richmond | $1,179 |
| Virginia Beach to New York | $539 |
| Virginia Beach to Los Angeles | $1,179 |
| Virginia Beach to Chicago | $769 |
| San Francisco to Virginia Beach | $1,399 |
| Miami to Virginia Beach | $849 |
Enclosed Car Shipping Costs In Virginia
Enclosed auto shipping services utilize an enclosed carrier that provides the ultimate level of protection from road hazards during transport. While it makes Virginia car shipping much pricier than open auto transport services, owners of classic or luxury cars should consider it.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Virginia using enclosed auto transport is $1,318, which is 40 percent more than the average cost of open car shipping in Virginia. The table below has average costs of popular Virginia car shipping routes using enclosed transport.
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Norfolk to New York | $679 |
| Norfolk to Los Angeles | $1,859 |
| Norfolk to Chicago | $1,079 |
| San Francisco to Norfolk | $1,959 |
| Miami to Norfolk | $1,259 |
| Richmond to New York | $749 |
| Richmond to Los Angeles | $1,679 |
| Richmond to Chicago | $939 |
| San Francisco to Richmond | $1,679 |
| Miami to Richmond | $1,649 |
| Virginia Beach to New York | $749 |
| Virginia Beach to Los Angeles | $1,649 |
| Virginia Beach to Chicago | $1,079 |
| San Francisco to Virginia Beach | $1,959 |
| Miami to Virginia Beach | $1,189 |
What Affects Car Shipping Costs In Virginia?
Your exact auto transport expenses for Virginia will likely depend on various factors. When you ship a car, factors like the type of transportation, where it’s being delivered, fuel costs, the distance it needs to be shipped, the type of vehicle, and the condition of the car can all impact the amount you have to pay.
How To Ship A Car To And From Virginia
Do you want to send a car in Virginia but don’t know where to begin? We’ve explained the process of transporting your vehicle below to make it easy and stress-free.
Choose Your Shipping Method
To start, you must choose how you want to transport your vehicle. As previously mentioned, enclosed and open carrier car shipping are the most common types used across the industry. Both have their pros and cons, so comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping will help you determine which best fits your needs.
Compare Virginia Car Shipping Quotes
After you have chosen a way of getting your vehicle transported, it’s time to compare the quotes for auto transport in Virginia. It’s easy to get car shipping quotes online, and we recommend providing vehicle details to various car shipping companies to find the best price.
Remember that although certain companies promise to honor the price you were quoted for transporting your car in Virginia, other companies may raise their rates because of changes in the market. If having a guaranteed price for shipping your car in Virginia is important to you, make sure to select a provider that offers this assurance.
Select A Transport Provider
After comparing prices from different providers, you’ll probably narrow down your options for Virginia car shipping services. Now it’s time to choose whether you prefer a car shipping broker or an online shipping marketplace. Brokers will find a car carrier for you, whereas shipping marketplaces let you deal with carriers yourself.
Make sure you do your research online by checking out reviews and talking to others on discussion boards. It’s really important to hear from other people who have used shipping providers in Virginia when deciding on one for your car.
Prepare Your Car And Meet The Carrier
After you have arranged for a vehicle transport service, it is important to prepare your car for the shipment. Remove all personal belongings from your vehicle, as the cost might be affected by the weight of the car according to most transporters in Virginia. It’s also wise to leave your gas tank no more than a quarter full.
It’s now time to meet your carrier at a predetermined time and location. Whether you opted for door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping, you’ll inspect your vehicle for prior damages such as dents, scratches, and dings. Make sure to take pictures of your car before it gets put on the trailer so you have the right records. All you need to do now is sign the bill of lading, which is a receipt that follows your vehicle as it travels to or from Virginia.
Pick Your Car Up
If the vehicle transport company you select has GPS tracking, you can track your car’s journey to or from Virginia as it happens. If the carrier does not have GPS tracking, they will still notify you about when they will pick up your vehicle.
When you meet your carrier at the specified place and time to pick up your vehicle, make sure to carefully check for any damages. This is especially crucial if you choose open auto transport. If you find any damages, report them on the bill of lading and take photos for potential claims. However, if everything looks good, you’ll just sign the bill of lading one last time and drive the car away.
What To Expect With Virginia Car Shipping
When you send a car to or from Virginia, there are certain things about the state that could affect your experience with shipping. These include the size of the city, how many people live there, the traffic patterns, and the bad weather. It’s a good idea to know about these things in advance so you won’t be surprised when you ship your car.
Population density can also have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. Virginia is less densely populated than other states in the U.S., which may make door-to-delivery less of a hassle. However, availability may differ in major cities such as Norfolk and Richmond.
In addition, many cities in Virginia have higher-than-average rainfall and greater chances of extreme weather. Bad weather conditions like storms or flooding might cause delays in shipping Virginia auto transport. Therefore, it is important to prepare in advance and remain adaptable with delivery schedules throughout the shipping process.
Virginia Car Shipping: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions customers have about Virginia car shipping.
Why would a person want to ship their car?
If you’re moving more than a few hundred miles away, a long-distance road trip might not be worth it. Cross-country car shipping can provide peace of mind while offering protection from risks associated with long drives, such as mechanical breakdowns and car accidents. Getting your car to Virginia from far away states is much easier with auto transport.
What are the benefits of car shipping?
Car shipping is a safe way to get your car to and from Virginia without wasting the time and expenses associated with a long road trip. Choosing to ship your car rather than drive it will also protect your car from the wear and tear that comes along with extended driving periods.
How do I ship a car to Virginia?
You’ll start the shipping process by researching various car shipping companies and getting free quotes online. Next, you’ll choose a provider, book your shipment, and prepare the car for transport. Once your car has made it to or from Virginia, you’ll meet the car carrier for pickup.
How We Rate Virginia Auto Shippers
Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car shipping companies. While there are multiple qualities that make an auto transport provider successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:
- Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact auto shipping rates. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and routes.
- Services: Our team of experts looks at the types of services available, as well as insurance coverage and the ability to guarantee pickup and dropoff dates. Ratings also take into account whether the transport company is a broker or a carrier.
- Reputation: It’s important that a car shipping provider is able to deliver your vehicle in a safe and timely manner. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
- Customer Experience: We comb through consumer reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Car transport companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
*Read more about our methodology.
