Pennsylvania to North Carolina Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 492 miles from Pennsylvania to North Carolina ranges from $649 to $900 and takes one–four days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • No deposit
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our North Carolina to Pennsylvania car shipping guide.

The best Pennsylvania to North Carolina car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Pennsylvania to North Carolina:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from Pennsylvania to North Carolina

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 492 miles on your car going from Pennsylvania 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 need to ship your car from Pennsylvania for a move to North Carolina, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from Pennsylvania 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!

PA to NC auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. The average travel distance is about 492 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

Cost to ship a car from Philadelphia, PA to North Carolina

From Pennsylvania to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Philadelphia, PA to Charlotte, NC $672 – $900 544 miles 1 – 6 days
Philadelphia, PA to Raleigh, NC $612 – $813 422 miles 1 – 4 days
Philadelphia, PA to Greensboro, NC $605 – $883 454 miles 1 – 4 days
Philadelphia, PA to Durham, NC $582 – $871 402 miles 1 – 4 days
Philadelphia, PA to Winston-Salem, NC $669 – $865 480 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Pittsburgh , PA to North Carolina

From Pennsylvania to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Pittsburgh , PA to Charlotte, NC $610 – $837 447 miles 1 – 4 days
Pittsburgh , PA to Raleigh, NC $659 – $906 500 miles 1 – 6 days
Pittsburgh , PA to Greensboro, NC $610 – $811 426 miles 1 – 4 days
Pittsburgh , PA to Durham, NC $636 – $900 477 miles 1 – 4 days
Pittsburgh , PA to Winston-Salem, NC $612 – $830 400 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Erie, PA to North Carolina

From Pennsylvania to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Erie, PA to Charlotte, NC $683 – $998 569 miles 1 – 6 days
Erie, PA to Raleigh, NC $731 – $976 621 miles 1 – 6 days
Erie, PA to Greensboro, NC $672 – $947 546 miles 1 – 6 days
Erie, PA to Durham, NC $729 – $1,039 597 miles 1 – 6 days
Erie, PA to Winston-Salem, NC $652 – $887 521 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Allentown, PA to North Carolina

From Pennsylvania to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Allentown, PA to Charlotte, NC $718 – $988 558 miles 1 – 6 days
Allentown, PA to Raleigh, NC $663 – $831 471 miles 1 – 4 days
Allentown, PA to Greensboro, NC $675 – $900 478 miles 1 – 4 days
Allentown, PA to Durham, NC $656 – $892 451 miles 1 – 4 days
Allentown, PA to Winston-Salem, NC $675 – $900 478 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Reading, PA to North Carolina

From Pennsylvania to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Reading, PA to Charlotte, NC $706 – $966 539 miles 1 – 6 days
Reading, PA to Raleigh, NC $654 – $888 431 miles 1 – 4 days
Reading, PA to Greensboro, NC $605 – $839 462 miles 1 – 4 days
Reading, PA to Durham, NC $594 – $813 411 miles 1 – 4 days
Reading, PA to Winston-Salem, NC $669 – $857 459 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Pennsylvania to North Carolina

Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Pennsylvania to North Carolina you should expect to pay between $811 and $1,125.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from PA to NC

When transporting your vehicle from the Keystone 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 Pennsylvania to North Carolina spans approximately 492 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to North Carolina should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

North Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know

  • 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 Pennsylvania

More than 39 million people call Pennsylvania home. Nicknamed the Keystone State, Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.

Transporting your vehicle to North Carolina

About 22 million people are living in the Tar Heel State. 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 you ship a car for pickup in Pennsylvania and delivery in North Carolina?

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Pennsylvania and when dropping it off in North Carolina.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Pennsylvania to North Carolina?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.

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 Pennsylvania to North Carolina?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Pennsylvania to North Carolina is about 492 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Pennsylvania to North Carolina.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

If you are moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania and North Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Pennsylvania to North Carolina?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Pennsylvania to North Carolina is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Pennsylvania to North Carolina?

Shipping a car from Pennsylvania to North Carolina costs $649 to $900.

Helpful Pennsylvania resources