Route guide · NC → CA
Shipping a car from North Carolina to California
Shipping a running sedan from Charlotte to Los Angeles 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 #105 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
- 8.9K
- Companies at both ends
- 156
City to city
What it costs between North Carolina and California cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Fayetteville and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose — 2,450 to 2,880 road miles apart.
| From | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $1,300–$1,8752,510 mi · 6–9 days | $1,375–$1,9752,750 mi · 6–10 days | $1,300–$1,8502,450 mi · 5–9 days | $1,375–$1,9502,680 mi · 6–10 days |
| Raleigh | $1,350–$1,9252,640 mi · 6–9 days | $1,425–$2,0252,880 mi · 6–10 days | $1,325–$1,9002,590 mi · 6–9 days | $1,400–$2,0002,800 mi · 6–10 days |
| Greensboro | $1,325–$1,9002,560 mi · 6–9 days | $1,400–$2,0002,790 mi · 6–10 days | $1,300–$1,8752,510 mi · 6–9 days | $1,375–$1,9752,720 mi · 6–10 days |
| Fayetteville | $1,350–$1,9252,630 mi · 6–9 days | $1,425–$2,0252,870 mi · 6–10 days | $1,325–$1,9002,570 mi · 6–9 days | $1,400–$2,0002,800 mi · 6–10 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
Charlotte to Los Angeles, 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 North Carolina to California 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 North Carolina to California
About 8,899 people moved from North Carolina to California in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (8,924 in 2023, 8,873 in 2024). That is 3.8% of everyone who left North Carolina for another state.
This is the lighter direction: about 19,756 people a year move California to North Carolina. Carriers that bring cars into North Carolina need loads back toward California, so it's worth asking for a backhaul price on this leg.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,600, shipping from North Carolina to California costs more than sending a car to Arizona ($1,450) and Colorado ($1,275) but less than to Washington ($1,650). 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, Charlotte to Los Angeles 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 west 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
- 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 carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in North Carolina and California, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end North Carolina
34 companies based in North Carolina: 34 carriers, 0 brokers, 150 trucks in total, 10 years in business on average.
- Bulla Transportation Inc Charlotte · 55 trucks · since 2023 · USDOT 4029519
- Rhodes Brothers Trucking LLC Selma · 9 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2446705
- Frank Pless Auto Transport Inc Concord · 6 trucks · since 2009 · USDOT 1979139
- K-Dot Auto Transport Servicesllc Charlotte · 6 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2997038
- Dragon Haul Inc Mooresville · 4 trucks · since 2026 · USDOT 4527691
Delivery end California
122 companies based in California: 91 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,809 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc Los Alamitos · 965 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568253
- Professional Auto Transport Inc Jurupa Valley · 257 trucks · since 2003 · USDOT 1130314
- Central Valley Auto Transport Inc Strathmore · 76 trucks · since 2001 · USDOT 978079
- DBN Auto Transport Anaheim · 75 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2979175
- Safe Auto Transport Inc N Highlands · 44 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2411467
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to California but not into it — or coming from somewhere near North Carolina? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From North Carolina to states near California
To California from states near North Carolina
FAQ
North Carolina to California car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and California's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from North Carolina to California?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,300–$1,875 from Charlotte to Los Angeles (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 North Carolina to California?
Transit is usually 6–9 days after pickup for the 2,510-mile trip from Charlotte to Los Angeles. 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 North Carolina to California?
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 California after moving?
California requires new residents to register within 20 days of becoming a resident. The car must pass a California smog check, and it has to meet California emission standards to be registered at all.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from North Carolina to California?
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 North Carolina to California?
Our directory lists 34 companies based in North Carolina and 122 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.