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Route guide · NC → CA
Car shipping from North Carolina to California
Car transport from North Carolina to California runs 2,510 road miles between the biggest metros. 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
- 113
City to city
Cost to ship a car from North Carolina to California, city to city
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 |
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
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 transport companies from North Carolina to California
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 North Carolina 25 companies · 25 carriers · 0 brokers · 87 trucks · 12 yrs avg.
- Delivery end California 88 companies · 67 carriers · 24 brokers · 1,921 trucks · 12 yrs avg.
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Founded in 2016 and headquartered in North Hollywood, California, BAH Logistics LLC is a federally licensed auto transport broker. We connect customers with a…
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San Jose auto transport broker operating as CarHauler247, with instant online quotes and booking.
LISCA Auto Transport is your trusted nationwide shipping solution. We specialize in transporting cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, and RVs safely and…
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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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 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 25 companies based in North Carolina and 88 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 190 that ship nationwide.