Car Shipping in Virginia: 2026 Costs & Routes

Our team has been in the car shipping industry for a long time. We worked for some of the largest brokers and knew there was a better way to do things.

So we set out to create a company that would be different. We want to walk you through how the process works and we guarantee to match any price you hear from a competitor.

We’re a scrappy team that looks forward to earning your business.

Before your car leaves Virginia, follow these quick steps to keep it safe and avoid delays:

• Clean and inspect. Wash the exterior and take photos of any existing dents or scratches. This helps you verify the vehicle’s condition when it arrives.
• Remove personal items. Take out all loose objects, toll tags, GPS units, and anything that could shift or break during transport.
• Check fluids and battery. Ensure the oil, coolant and windshield‑washer fluid are at proper levels, and that the battery is charged. A low battery can prevent the carrier from moving the car onto the trailer.
• Leave a little fuel. Fill the tank to about a quarter full. This is enough for the carrier to maneuver but not so much that extra weight becomes an issue.
• Secure accessories. Remove roof racks, bike racks, spoilers, and any aftermarket parts that aren’t bolted to the frame.
• Disable alarms and anti‑theft devices. Give the carrier a working key (or two) and turn off any alarm systems that could trigger during loading.
• Document the mileage. Write down the odometer reading and include it in your shipping paperwork.

For a full checklist, see our Vehicle Shipping Tips page.

Yes, your vehicle is insured when you ship it in Virginia with Sakaem Logistics. All carriers we work with must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Before a carrier is assigned, we verify that its policies are active and in good standing for the entire transit period. This coverage protects you against loss or damage while the vehicle is in the carrier’s care.

If you want additional protection, you can purchase optional supplemental insurance through us or your own insurer, but the basic coverage is already included in every quote.

We recommend booking your pickup at least 14 days ahead of time. This window lets carriers bundle your vehicle with other shipments in Virginia, which keeps costs low and ensures a spot on the truck. If you need a tighter schedule, let us know as soon as possible—last‑minute requests can be harder to fit and may carry a premium.

We accept all forms of payment. We can arrange credit cards or arrange for you to pay the carrier directly through cash/certified check. We even accept payment via Cash/Zelle/Venmo.

Your shipment with SAKAEM includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If your shipment includes ocean transit (Hawaii shipments), your vehicle must be emptied of all items. SAKAEM and your assigned carrier are not responsible for personal items left inside your vehicle. See our Auto Transport Process Article for more details.

A designated (adult) must be present at pickup and delivery. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle’s condition.

Open transport uses a standard multi‑car trailer with the vehicles exposed to the elements. It is the most common choice, costs about 30‑40% less than enclosed service, and is perfectly fine for everyday cars, trucks, or SUVs that are not collectors’ items. In Virginia, open carriers handle routes from the coastal ports to inland cities without extra weather protection.

Enclosed transport places each vehicle inside a fully covered trailer. The enclosure shields the car from rain, sun, dust, road debris, and potential vandalism. Because the trailer holds fewer cars, the price is typically 50% higher than open shipping. This option is best for classic cars, luxury models, vehicles with custom paint, or any high‑value auto that you cannot risk exposure.

Both open and enclosed services are insured and meet federal safety standards. The main trade‑off is cost versus protection: choose open for budget‑friendly, standard shipments, and choose enclosed when protecting a valuable or delicate vehicle outweighs the extra cost.

Yes, Sakaem Logistics provides door‑to‑door auto transport throughout Virginia. When you book, we ask for the exact pickup and delivery addresses you want. As long as the location can be reached by a transport truck, the carrier will collect the vehicle from your door and deliver it to the door at the destination.

If a driveway is too narrow, a street has weight limits, or another safety issue arises, we will work with you to choose a nearby safe spot such as a gas station or parking lot. This applies to both inbound and outbound shipments and covers all vehicle types, from compact cars to large trucks.

Our scrappy team started in 2012 to give you value and break the broker monopoly, and our high‑rating reviews show that customers trust us for reliable, transparent service.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, electric vehicles, vans and motorcycles across all 48 continental states + Hawaii. Our services even provide shipment for golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship vehicles that don’t run so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. The only exception is boats, which we do not transport.

Visit SAKAEM Logistics’ FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!