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Route guide · CA → NC
Car shipping from California to North Carolina
Car transport from California to North Carolina runs 2,510 road miles between the biggest metros. Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Charlotte costs about $1,300–$1,875 on an open carrier and $1,975–$2,800 in an enclosed trailer, with 6–9 days in transit. It ranks #35 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,600
- Road miles
- 2,510
- Days in transit
- 6–9
- People moving a year
- 19.8K
- Companies at both ends
- 113
City to city
Cost to ship a car from California to North Carolina, city to city
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Fayetteville — 2,450 to 2,880 road miles apart.
| From | Charlotte | Raleigh | Greensboro | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,300–$1,8752,510 mi · 6–9 days | $1,350–$1,9252,640 mi · 6–9 days | $1,325–$1,9002,560 mi · 6–9 days | $1,350–$1,9252,630 mi · 6–9 days |
| San Francisco | $1,375–$1,9752,750 mi · 6–10 days | $1,425–$2,0252,880 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0002,790 mi · 6–10 days | $1,425–$2,0252,870 mi · 6–10 days |
| San Diego | $1,300–$1,8502,450 mi · 5–9 days | $1,325–$1,9002,590 mi · 6–9 days | $1,300–$1,8752,510 mi · 6–9 days | $1,325–$1,9002,570 mi · 6–9 days |
| San Jose | $1,375–$1,9502,680 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0002,800 mi · 6–10 days | $1,375–$1,9752,720 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0002,800 mi · 6–10 days |
Estimate, not a quote
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
Los Angeles to Charlotte, 2,510 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 | $1,300–$1,875 | $1,975–$2,800 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,475–$2,100 | $2,200–$3,150 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,625–$2,350 | $2,450–$3,500 |
| Pickup truck | $1,700–$2,425 | $2,550–$3,650 |
| Motorcycle | $775–$1,125 | $1,175–$1,675 |
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 California to North Carolina is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,600 Peak: about $1,725
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to North Carolina
About 19,756 people moved from California to North Carolina in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (21,084 in 2023, 18,428 in 2024). That is 2.9% of everyone who left California for another state.
Traffic is lopsided: only about 8,898 people a year go the other way, North Carolina to California. Trucks heading into North Carolina fill up quickly, so pickups are usually fast — but carriers have less reason to discount in peak months.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,600, shipping from California to North Carolina costs more than sending a car to Michigan ($1,525) and Ohio ($1,525) but less than to South Carolina ($1,625) and Maryland ($1,675). That works out to about 64¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
At roughly 2,510 road miles, Los Angeles to Charlotte is a cross-country haul. Federal hours-of-service rules cap truck drivers at 11 hours behind the wheel a day, so plan on 6–9 days in transit once the car is loaded. The car heads east-northeast and crosses 3 time zones — from Pacific to Eastern 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 transport companies from California to North Carolina
Companies headquartered at either end of the route usually run this lane often. Filter by services, company type and safety record — every listing is matched to its FMCSA record.
- Pickup end California 88 companies · 67 carriers · 24 brokers · 1,921 trucks · 12 yrs avg.
- Delivery end North Carolina 25 companies · 25 carriers · 0 brokers · 87 trucks · 12 yrs avg.
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San Jose auto transport broker operating as CarHauler247, with instant online quotes and booking.
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We are a family owned and operated business. Our goal is to get your vehicle to its destination safely and on time. With our several years of pertinence we…
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At Nationwide United Auto Transport our goal is simple, provide fast, safe and reliable vehicle transport.
Revoway was founded for one reason: to revolutionize the industry and address existing gaps. Committed to constant growth, we have developed outstanding and…
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Shelby Auto Transport – the difference. In an industry as expansive as auto transport, a company’s reputation isn’t just built on efficiency but on a deeper…
Tempus Logix has a vast network of mandatory insured and bonded carriers with whom we continually work.
Cross-border car shipping between the USA and Canada with customs handling, in business since 1985.
H&
Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc
FMCSA verifiedLarge Los Alamitos, CA auto carrier with 30+ years of experience, moving new and remarketed vehicles coast to coast.
DA
Deluxe Auto Carriers
FMCSA verifiedSouthern California car carrier in the Proficient Auto Logistics group, moving finished vehicles to dealerships.
DA
DBN Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedWoman-owned Anaheim car carrier established in 2012, with soft-tie trailers and camera/GPS on every truck.
QC
Quality Car Shippers LLC
FMCSA verifiedFamily-owned Murrieta, CA car carrier serving dealers, rental companies, auctions and OEMs across the lower 48.
AL
Auto Line Express Inc
FMCSA verifiedGardena, CA car carrier moving thousands of finished vehicles a year across the U.S. and Canada since 2013.
IL
Intercity Lines, Inc
FMCSA verifiedRA
Reeves Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedFamily-run North Carolina car hauler serving rental fleets, auctions, dealers and OEMs throughout the Carolinas.
AP
A Plus Auto Shippers LLC
FMCSA verifiedLicensed and bonded auto carrier from the Phoenix and Palm Desert area shipping cars and trucks nationwide.
AS
All Star Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedChino, California auto carrier moving vehicles in California and Texas since 2005.
CA
CA Auto Express Inc
FMCSA verifiedSouthern California motor carrier shipping vehicles on its own trucks, coast to coast and within California.
GK
Golden Key Express
FMCSA verifiedLS
Lucky Star Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedFamily-owned San Jose car carrier offering open, door-to-door auto transport nationwide since 2012.
AC
ABC Car Shipping
FMCSA verifiedAt ABC Car Shipping, our objective is to make safe vehicle shipments across the U.S. affordable to everyone, regardless of their location or shipping distances
AW
All Wheelz Transport, INC.
FMCSA verifiedNo companies match these filters
Try fewer filters, or include companies from other states that serve this route.
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to North Carolina but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near North Carolina
To North Carolina from states near California
FAQ
California to North Carolina car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and North Carolina's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to North Carolina?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,300–$1,875 from Los Angeles to Charlotte (2,510 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,300–$2,025. An SUV costs about $1,475–$2,100, a pickup $1,700–$2,425, and an enclosed trailer $1,975–$2,800 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to North Carolina?
Transit is usually 6–9 days after pickup for the 2,510-mile trip from Los Angeles to Charlotte. Getting the car picked up takes another 1–5 days on a standard booking; expedited pickup within 1–2 days costs about 30% more.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to North Carolina?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. Whatever the month, a flexible pickup date booked 2–3 weeks out gets the best price.
How soon do I have to register my car in North Carolina after moving?
North Carolina requires new residents to register within 60 days of becoming a resident. Get your North Carolina driver license first; out-of-state insurance policies are not accepted.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to North Carolina?
Driving 2,510 miles takes about 6 days: roughly $320 in gas and 5 nights of hotels and meals (about $700). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,300–$1,875. Add wear on the car and 6 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to North Carolina?
Our directory lists 88 companies based in California and 25 based in North Carolina, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 190 that ship nationwide.