Car Shipping from Raleigh, NC to San Diego, CA

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Distance
2,680 mi
Transit Time
7-10 days
Estimated Cost
$1350–$1650
Solid Market

Shipping from Raleigh, NC

Raleigh is a solid and growing auto transport market. The Research Triangle is one of the fastest-growing relocation destinations in the country right now. Companies like IBM, Cisco, SAS, and a wave of biotech and pharma firms have been pulling professionals in from California, New York, and the Northeast for years. That means a steady stream of cars moving in and out. I-40 is the main artery connecting Raleigh west to Durham, Chapel Hill, and all the way to Asheville. I-85 gives carriers a direct shot up to Charlotte and the Virginia border. ADESA Raleigh services the market and Manheim North Carolina operates out of Kenly, about 50 miles east. The auction density is not Dallas-level but it is enough to keep carriers moving through consistently.

Most pickups in Raleigh happen within 2 to 4 days. The Research Triangle has enough consistent volume that carriers plan routes through here regularly. If your car is out in Cary, Apex, or Morrisville near the I-40 corridor, pickup is smooth. If you are inside the beltline near downtown you may need a quick meetup near a more accessible lot but it is not a problem. Late August sees a spike in demand around NC State and UNC move-in season, and May gets busy with graduations, so give a little extra lead time then. Get a quote to see what your specific route looks like.

High Volume

Arriving in San Diego, CA

San Diego is a strong and active auto transport market with some unique advantages. I-5 runs straight through the city connecting it to Los Angeles 120 miles north and to the Mexican border at San Ysidro. I-15 heads inland and north toward Riverside and Las Vegas. Carriers running the LA to San Diego corridor are constant because there is always demand in both directions. Auction activity is real here. Manheim San Diego operates out of Oceanside at the north end of the county. ADESA San Diego is located near the border in Otay Ranch. Copart and IAA both have San Diego locations as well. Add in the military presence from Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar, and NAS Coronado and you have a steady drumbeat of military relocation shipments year round. This is a solid, dependable market.

Deliveries to San Diego are generally smooth. Carriers on I-5 from the north have a natural endpoint here, and many load up in LA to fill the last slots with San Diego cars. Neighborhoods with wide streets and good access are easiest. If you are in downtown or near the Gaslamp Quarter, carriers may ask to deliver nearby rather than navigate the parking situation. Hillcrest and North Park are manageable. The North County cities like Escondido, Vista, and Oceanside are easy delivers and often match up with carrier routes heading back north.

Pricing on This Route

Shipping a standard sedan from Raleigh to San Diego on open carrier currently estimates between $1350 and $1650. That is based on the 2,680-mile distance and current market conditions.

Raleigh runs right around the national average on most routes, sometimes slightly above on lanes that do not have heavy carrier traffic in both directions. Routes to and from Charlotte, Atlanta, and the DC area are well-serviced and competitive. Long haul routes to Texas, the Midwest, or the West Coast cost a bit more simply because Raleigh is not a major hub. The relocation market helps keep prices fair though because there is consistent two-way demand. Get a quote to see your exact price.

San Diego runs close to the national average on most routes. The LA to San Diego lane is one of the most competitive short hauls in the country because carriers are constantly running it. Longer routes like San Diego to Phoenix, Las Vegas, or the Pacific Northwest are very active and priced well. Routes to the Midwest or East Coast price similarly to LA because carriers use I-5 or I-40 to get there and San Diego is a natural first or last stop. Military PCS season in the spring and summer can push prices up slightly as demand spikes. Get a quote to see your exact price.

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