California to North Carolina Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,648 miles from California to North Carolina ranges from $1,665 to $2,651 and takes 7–15 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our North Carolina to California car shipping guide.
California to North Carolina auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and North Carolina. The average travel distance is about 2,648 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 7 to 15 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to North Carolina
| From California to North Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Charlotte, NC | 2,411 miles | $1,535–$2,486 | 5–13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Raleigh, NC | 2,541 miles | $1,617–$2,599 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Greensboro, NC | 2,467 miles | $1,648–$2,641 | 5–13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Durham, NC | 2,523 miles | $1,584–$2,522 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Winston-Salem, NC | 2,440 miles | $1,615–$2,512 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to North Carolina
| From California to North Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Charlotte, NC | 2,384 miles | $1,536–$2,650 | 5–13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Raleigh, NC | 2,548 miles | $1,568–$2,599 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Greensboro, NC | 2,471 miles | $1,599–$2,719 | 5–13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Durham, NC | 2,524 miles | $1,715–$2,573 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Winston-Salem, NC | 2,422 miles | $1,535–$2,538 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to North Carolina
| From California to North Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Charlotte, NC | 2,666 miles | $1,715–$2,704 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Raleigh, NC | 2,801 miles | $1,791–$2,827 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Greensboro, NC | 2,722 miles | $1,737–$2,617 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Durham, NC | 2,774 miles | $1,650–$2,617 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Winston-Salem, NC | 2,694 miles | $1,648–$2,545 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to North Carolina
| From California to North Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Charlotte, NC | 2,710 miles | $1,702–$2,644 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Raleigh, NC | 2,843 miles | $1,827–$2,743 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Greensboro, NC | 2,765 miles | $1,772–$2,808 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Durham, NC | 2,817 miles | $1,721–$2,799 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Winston-Salem, NC | 2,737 miles | $1,668–$2,862 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to North Carolina
| From California to North Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Charlotte, NC | 2,534 miles | $1,650–$2,625 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Raleigh, NC | 2,670 miles | $1,648–$2,651 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Greensboro, NC | 2,592 miles | $1,698–$2,573 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Durham, NC | 2,643 miles | $1,682–$2,677 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Winston-Salem, NC | 2,562 miles | $1,666–$2,599 | 7–15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to North Carolina
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from California to North Carolina you should expect to pay between $2,081 and $3,314.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to North Carolina
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Tar Heel State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to North Carolina.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to North Carolina spans approximately 2,648 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of California, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between California and North Carolina and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from California to North Carolina should take between 7 and 15 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to North Carolina car shipping companies
|
|
|
|
rating
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to North Carolina:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to North Carolina
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,648 miles on your car going from California to North Carolina. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from California to North Carolina for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from California to North Carolina?
- Car insurance requirements: Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
- Vehicle inspection: Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
- Driver’s license: New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from California
Over 39 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State, California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
Transporting your vehicle to North Carolina
About 22 million people are living in the Tar Heel State of North Carolina. North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in North Carolina?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in North Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to North Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to North Carolina, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to North Carolina, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to North Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to North Carolina is about 2648 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take 7-15 days to travel from California to North Carolina.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in North Carolina?
New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in North Carolina after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to North Carolina after purchasing it.
If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and North Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
