Route guide · NC → WA
Shipping a car from North Carolina to Washington
Shipping a running sedan from Charlotte to Seattle costs about $1,375–$1,950 on an open carrier and $2,050–$2,925 in an enclosed trailer, with 6–10 days in transit. It ranks #226 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,675
- Road miles
- 2,690
- Days in transit
- 6–10
- People moving a year
- 4.6K
- Companies at both ends
- 70
City to city
What it costs between North Carolina and Washington cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Fayetteville and Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver and Yakima — 2,430 to 2,800 road miles apart.
| From | Seattle | Spokane | Vancouver | Yakima |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $1,375–$1,9502,690 mi · 6–10 days | $1,275–$1,8502,430 mi · 5–9 days | $1,375–$1,9502,690 mi · 6–10 days | $1,325–$1,9002,590 mi · 6–9 days |
| Raleigh | $1,400–$2,0002,790 mi · 6–10 days | $1,325–$1,8752,520 mi · 6–9 days | $1,400–$2,0002,790 mi · 6–10 days | $1,375–$1,9502,680 mi · 6–10 days |
| Greensboro | $1,375–$1,9502,710 mi · 6–10 days | $1,300–$1,8502,440 mi · 5–9 days | $1,375–$1,9502,710 mi · 6–10 days | $1,350–$1,9252,600 mi · 6–9 days |
| Fayetteville | $1,400–$2,0002,800 mi · 6–10 days | $1,325–$1,8752,530 mi · 6–9 days | $1,400–$2,0002,800 mi · 6–10 days | $1,375–$1,9502,690 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 Seattle, 2,690 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 | $1,375–$1,950 | $2,050–$2,925 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,525–$2,175 | $2,300–$3,275 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,700–$2,450 | $2,550–$3,650 |
| Pickup truck | $1,775–$2,525 | $2,675–$3,800 |
| Motorcycle | $825–$1,175 | $1,225–$1,750 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in December (the holidays and winter weather up north), running about 10% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from North Carolina to Washington is March–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,650 Peak: about $1,825
About this route
Why so many cars go from North Carolina to Washington
About 4,558 people moved from North Carolina to Washington in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (6,383 in 2023, 2,733 in 2024). That is 1.9% of everyone who left North Carolina for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 3,910 people a year move from Washington back to North Carolina — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,650, shipping from North Carolina to Washington is among the most expensive routes out of North Carolina; California ($1,600) and Arizona ($1,450) cost less. That works out to about 61¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
At roughly 2,690 road miles, Charlotte to Seattle is a cross-country haul. Federal hours-of-service rules cap truck drivers at 11 hours behind the wheel a day, so plan on 6–10 days in transit once the car is loaded. The car heads northwest 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
- The route crosses mountain passes in the West; from November to March, snow and chain laws can hold trucks for a day or two.
- Winter storms in Washington can slow pickups and deliveries in December through February — leave slack in your schedule.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in North Carolina and Washington, 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 Washington
36 companies based in Washington: 36 carriers, 0 brokers, 237 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Diesel Auto Express Vancouver · 97 trucks · since 2009 · USDOT 1885300
- DC Trucking Enumclaw · 30 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 3001374
- U Save Auto Transport LLC Moxee · 8 trucks · since 2007 · USDOT 1625792
- DC Auto Carrier LLC Bonney Lake · 7 trucks · since 2022 · USDOT 3871099
- Advanced Auto Transport LLC Kelso · 6 trucks · since 2016 · USDOT 2943372
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Washington but not into it — or coming from somewhere near North Carolina? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From North Carolina to states near Washington
To Washington from states near North Carolina
FAQ
North Carolina to Washington car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Washington's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from North Carolina to Washington?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,375–$1,950 from Charlotte to Seattle (2,690 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,275–$2,000. An SUV costs about $1,525–$2,175, a pickup $1,775–$2,525, and an enclosed trailer $2,050–$2,925 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from North Carolina to Washington?
Transit is usually 6–10 days after pickup for the 2,690-mile trip from Charlotte to Seattle. 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 Washington?
March–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 10% 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 Washington after moving?
Washington requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. You need a Washington driver license before you can register the car.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from North Carolina to Washington?
Driving 2,690 miles takes about 6 days: roughly $340 in gas and 5 nights of hotels and meals (about $700). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,375–$1,950. 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 Washington?
Our directory lists 34 companies based in North Carolina and 36 based in Washington, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.