Michigan to North Carolina Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 854 miles from Michigan to North Carolina ranges from $973 to $1,453 and takes 2–7 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 Michigan car shipping guide.
Michigan 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 Michigan and North Carolina. The average travel distance is about 854 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 7 days.
Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to North Carolina
| From Michigan to North Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Charlotte, NC | 625 miles | $879–$1,319 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Raleigh, NC | 680 miles | $966–$1,330 | 1–6 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Greensboro, NC | 605 miles | $853–$1,272 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Durham, NC | 657 miles | $904–$1,352 | 1–6 days |
| Flint, MI to Winston-Salem, NC | 580 miles | $877–$1,225 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to North Carolina
| From Michigan to North Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Charlotte, NC | 748 miles | $964–$1,357 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Raleigh, NC | 807 miles | $1,021–$1,399 | 2–7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Greensboro, NC | 725 miles | $964–$1,413 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Durham, NC | 773 miles | $965–$1,368 | 2–7 days |
| Flint, MI to Winston-Salem, NC | 700 miles | $905–$1,304 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to North Carolina
| From Michigan to North Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Charlotte, NC | 611 miles | $888–$1,272 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Raleigh, NC | 670 miles | $959–$1,339 | 1–6 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Greensboro, NC | 596 miles | $851–$1,237 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Durham, NC | 648 miles | $933–$1,294 | 1–6 days |
| Flint, MI to Winston-Salem, NC | 571 miles | $847–$1,118 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lansing, MI to North Carolina
| From Michigan to North Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Charlotte, NC | 684 miles | $957–$1,356 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Raleigh, NC | 734 miles | $1,002–$1,330 | 1–6 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Greensboro, NC | 660 miles | $868–$1,248 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Durham, NC | 713 miles | $989–$1,372 | 1–6 days |
| Flint, MI to Winston-Salem, NC | 636 miles | $924–$1,281 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Flint, MI to North Carolina
| From Michigan to North Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Charlotte, NC | 670 miles | $886–$1,287 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Raleigh, NC | 721 miles | $952–$1,304 | 1–6 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Greensboro, NC | 646 miles | $870–$1,256 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Durham, NC | 699 miles | $938–$1,303 | 1–6 days |
| Flint, MI to Winston-Salem, NC | 622 miles | $914–$1,272 | 1–6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan 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 Michigan to North Carolina you should expect to pay between $1,216 and $1,816.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Michigan to North Carolina
When transporting your vehicle from the Wolverine 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 Michigan to North Carolina spans approximately 854 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan 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 Michigan to North Carolina should take between 2 and 7 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Michigan to North Carolina car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Michigan 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 Michigan to North Carolina
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 854 miles on your car going from Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan
Over 39 million people call Michigan home. Nicknamed the Wolverine State, Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
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 Michigan 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 Michigan and when dropping it off in North Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to North Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Michigan 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 Michigan.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
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 Michigan to North Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to North Carolina is about 854 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-7 days to travel from Michigan to North Carolina.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
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 Michigan, 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan 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 Michigan and North Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
