Smart Auto Move car carrier on a Raleigh, North Carolina car shipping route

Raleigh Car Shipping

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Raleigh, NC Auto Transport Rates updated September 2026

Written by Richard Avery, President of Smart Auto Move · USDOT 2887232 · MC 969368

Raleigh car shipping is busier than most cities its size, for a simple reason: the Triangle has been one of the fastest-growing metros in the country for a decade, so a lot of cars arrive here from somewhere else and a lot leave when a job or a degree ends. The City of Oaks sits where I-40 meets the Beltline, with I-95 forty minutes east, which makes it easy to reach for a full size carrier. Below are our published Raleigh rates with the real distances and transit times behind them.

Published rates by route Open, enclosed and expedited Door to door where a truck fits Students, relocations and dealer transfers

How much does Raleigh car shipping cost?

Raleigh to Kissimmee is $700 for a mid-size car on an open trailer, over 617 miles in about two days. Raleigh to Dallas is $1,400 over 1,190 miles in three to four days. Florida is our cheapest corridor out of the Triangle. As of September 2026, the full table is further down this page, and the calculator returns the live number for any route not on it.

From $700 Raleigh to Kissimmee, open trailer

2 to 4 days On the road, on our published routes

6-day pickup window 3 days on expedited, starting the date you pick

BBB Accredited A+ rating, verifiable on bbb.org

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Rather talk it through? Call 888-709-9078.

Quick answers

Raleigh car shipping, answered in one line each

How much does it cost to ship a car from Raleigh?

Raleigh to Kissimmee is $700 and Raleigh to Dallas is $1,400 for a mid-size car on an open trailer. Florida is the cheapest corridor out of the Triangle. Vehicle size, open or enclosed, the season and your date flexibility all move the number.

How long does it take?

About two days to Florida and three to four to Texas. Add the pickup window on the front: six days on standard service, three on expedited, both starting the date you ask for. From booking to your car in the driveway, plan on one to two weeks.

Should I choose open or enclosed transport?

Plan on about 80 percent more than open. A $700 open move is roughly $1,260 enclosed. Open is standard for daily drivers. Enclosed is worth it for a classic, an exotic, fresh paint, or a car too low to clear a ramp.

Is my vehicle insured during transport?

Yes. Your car travels under Carrier Cargo Insurance from the moment it is loaded until it is delivered, with no terminal stop in between. Once we assign a carrier we can send you that carrier's certificate of insurance on request, right away.

Can I put personal items inside the vehicle?

Usually yes, within reason. Most drivers will take a few things as a courtesy. Keep it under about 100 pounds, pack it neatly, and keep it out of sight from outside the car. The carrier's insurance covers the vehicle, so keep anything you would hate to lose with you.

Are pickup and delivery dates guaranteed?

Pickup is. Give us the first day the car is free and the driver collects inside the six days that follow, or three on expedited. Delivery is an estimate, because weather, traffic and federal hours-of-service rules set the pace on the road.

Every one of these is covered in more detail further down the page.

Rates

Published Raleigh car shipping rates

Open trailer, mid-size car, based on our most recent shipments and the current fuel rates. Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Garner, Wake Forest and Holly Springs all price the same as Raleigh, which is why the Durham row sits in the same table.

From	Route	Miles	Days	Open
Raleigh	Raleigh to Kissimmee, FL	617	2	$700
Durham	Durham to Miami, FL	831	2–3	$800
Raleigh	Raleigh to Dallas, TX	1,190	3–4	$1,400

These are estimates, not fixed prices. Diesel is the biggest cost in moving a car and fuel prices move, so we update these figures as the market changes. Once you book, the Smart Price Promise holds your price.

Enclosed Raleigh auto transport runs about 80 percent above the open figure. Non-running, oversized and modified vehicles are priced individually. Route detail: Raleigh to Dallas · Raleigh to Los Angeles · North Carolina to Florida.

Why Florida is the cheapest run out of Raleigh

I-95 sits forty minutes east of the city and it is one of the busiest two-way freight corridors in the country. Trucks head south loaded with snowbird cars in October and come back north loaded with the same cars in April, so almost nobody runs empty in either direction. That constant traffic is what keeps the rate down. Texas costs roughly double for roughly double the distance, which is the more usual relationship. Florida is the exception, and it is the exception in your favor.

What sets the price on Raleigh auto transport?

Where it is going. A busy two-way market prices at the average. A quiet destination means empty miles before the driver's next load, and the rate covers them.
Vehicle size and weight. A three-row SUV or a lifted truck takes more deck space than a sedan.
Running or not. A non-running car needs a truck with a winch.
Service level. Enclosed and expedited both cost more than open.
Season. October southbound and April northbound are the busiest weeks on the Florida corridor. August is the tightest for student moves.
Access at your address. Inside the Beltline is where this matters most, and there is more on that below.
Date flexibility. The biggest lever you control.

Why flexible dates save you money

Trucks fill a spot at a time. When a driver has one space left, they take the car that is easiest to collect on the way rather than one they have to detour for. Give us a three or four day window instead of a single date and your car is far more likely to be that one. Raleigh sits right on I-40, so there is usually a truck passing within a day or two of any date you give us.

Your car never sits anywhere. It goes from your address straight onto the carrier and stays covered under Carrier Cargo Insurance for the entire trip. No terminal, no transfer between trucks, no gap in coverage.

Open car carrier loaded with vehicles on the interstate — Open transport carries nine out of ten cars we move out of Raleigh, on the same kind of trailer that delivers new cars to dealerships.

Local knowledge

Raleigh pickup, street by street

Most of Raleigh is straightforward. North Raleigh, Brier Creek, Wakefield, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner and Wake Forest were laid out after cars existed, with wide streets and real driveways, so a 75 foot hauler loads at the curb without anyone thinking about it.

Inside the Beltline is the exception, and it is worth knowing before you book. Oakwood, Five Points, Hayes Barton and the streets around Cameron Village are older, narrower and lined with the oak canopy the city is named for. Low branches stop a car hauler faster than a narrow street does. In those neighborhoods we pick a nearby lot in advance rather than discovering the problem on the day, and it costs you nothing.

Downtown blocks, the Warehouse District and anything with permit parking work the same way. Tell us the address at booking and the meeting point is arranged before the driver is assigned.

Raleigh Durham Cary Chapel Hill Apex Garner Wake Forest Holly Springs Morrisville Knightdale

Three Raleigh situations we handle every week

Flying out of RDU and leaving the car behind. This is the most common Raleigh booking. Ship the car a few days before you fly, hand the keys to whoever is staying, and meet it at the other end. You do not need to be at pickup yourself.

Student moves at NC State, Duke and UNC. Mid-August is the tightest week of the year on this route. Book three to four weeks out rather than one, and ship about ten days before move-in. Campuses close their inner streets during move-in, so delivery is usually a lot a few minutes out.

Relocations into the Triangle. More cars arrive here than leave, which is unusual and works in your favor on inbound pricing. If you are moving to Raleigh rather than from it, ask for the inbound number specifically rather than assuming it matches the outbound one.

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Service options

Open, enclosed and expedited Raleigh vehicle shipping

Open transport

The right call for everyday cars, SUVs, minivans and pickups, and what every price on this page is based on. It is the same kind of trailer that delivers new cars to dealerships. More on open transport.

Enclosed transport

Plan on about 80 percent more than open. A $700 open move is roughly $1,260 enclosed. A hard-sided trailer holds two to six cars where an open one holds ten, so each car carries more of the cost. More on enclosed transport.

Expedited transport

A three day pickup window instead of six, for a start date, a closing or a flight already booked. More on expedited transport.

Weighing the first two? The open and enclosed comparison puts them side by side. For most cars in Raleigh, open is the right answer.

How it works

Raleigh car shipping in three steps

Step 1

Get your price

Enter your Raleigh pickup address, where the car is going, the vehicle and the first date it can go. Two minutes, no obligation.

Step 2

Book and set the window

A deposit holds the booking. We check whether a full size carrier can reach your street or whether a nearby lot is quicker, then assign the carrier and send you the driver's details.

Step 3

Load, travel, deliver

You and the driver walk the car and sign the Bill of Lading. It stays on that same truck to the other end, where you walk it again before signing.

Vehicles

What we move to and from Raleigh

Sedans, hatchbacks and coupes
SUVs, crossovers and minivans
Pickups and lifted trucks
EVs and hybrids
Luxury, exotic, classic and collector cars
Non-running vehicles that need a winch

Which service fits

Daily driver: open transport.

Luxury or collector car: enclosed transport.

Flight or start date booked: expedited, with the three day window.

Non-running vehicle: a carrier with a winch. Tell us the true condition up front and the right truck turns up first time, with your price unchanged.

Preparation

Getting your car ready

Before pickup

Wash it so existing marks show clearly
Leave about a quarter tank of fuel
Fold the mirrors, remove roof racks and loose trim
Turn off your NC Quick Pass and disable the alarm

At pickup

Have the keys ready, including any wheel lock key
Walk the car with the driver and check the Bill of Lading
Confirm the best number for updates on the road

At delivery

Walk the car against that same report before you sign
Have the balance ready in the agreed form
Name whoever will meet the truck if it is not you

The full vehicle preparation guide covers every step in detail.

Reviews

What our customers say

Every review we publish sits on a public Google profile you can open and read for yourself. We do not write testimonials. Smart Auto Move is also BBB Accredited with an A+ rating, and you can open our FMCSA record and read it yourself.

Smart Auto Move customers collecting their delivered vehicle — Every review we publish sits on a public Google profile you can open and read, not a testimonial we typed ourselves.

Reviews

5 Over 23 Reviews

Write a Review

Jerry Fellows 2 months ago

I've used these guys to ship my kids car from Los Angles to Dallas and back several times and they've always been great.

Jamie Salhus 10 months ago

Our car was picked up and delivered earlier than expected, which was a very pleasant surprise. There was 1 small hiccup with the final payment due but was cleared up with 1 phone call. This was a great experience!!!

Korir Kipkirui 10 months ago

I needed my truck transported from Bakersfield to Seattle and chose Smart Auto Move of Los Angeles after a friend recommended them. Honestly, best decision. Super friendly team, no surprises on the price, and they delivered a day early. I would use them again if necessary.

Luz Cachago 10 months ago

I shipped two cars from Chicago to California and Smart Auto Move made the whole process easy. Coordinating two vehicles can be a nightmare, but these folks handled it like nothing. Great communication, solid pricing, and both cars were delivered on time. Five stars without hesitation.

DAWSON P. MKUYU 10 months ago

I was having a hard time deciding whether to drive my car or have it shipped; ultimately, it made more sense to have it transported. Smart Auto Move handled my LA-to-Miami car shipment like total pros. They gave me upfront pricing, answered every question, and updated me throughout. My car arrived right on schedule and in perfect shape. A service all around.

arif rahman 10 months ago

I shipped my SUV from San Diego to Dallas with Smart Auto Move of Los Angeles and the whole thing was shockingly smooth. The price was fair, the communication was great, and they delivered exactly when they said they would. Easily the most stress-free transport experience I’ve ever had. Highly recommend.

Mahipal Rawat 10 months ago

I relocated from New Jersey to North Hollywood, and Smart Auto Move took care of my car transport. They kept me updated, answered every call, and delivered my car on schedule with zero issues, transparent, reliable, and great customer service.

John Guerrero 2 year ago

Great service would love to work with again.
Crystal Evans was very helpful.

Dr. Ashley M. Davis 3 year ago

Smart Auto Move was professional and efficient in delivering my vehicle. From scheduling the pick up to the on-time delivery, I was satisfied with the overall service. Thank you Smart Auto Move for making my auto transport seamless.

FAQs

Raleigh car shipping questions

What affects the price of Raleigh vehicle shipping?

Mostly where the car is going and what is waiting for the driver there. A busy two-way market like Florida prices at the average because trucks run it loaded in both directions. A quieter destination means empty miles before the next load, and the rate covers them. After that it is vehicle size, running condition, service level, season and how flexible your dates are. Raleigh itself is an easy collection point, so the origin rarely adds anything.

Why is Raleigh to Florida so much cheaper than Raleigh to Texas?

Because of I-95 and the snowbird cycle. Trucks head south loaded in the fall and come back north loaded in the spring, so hardly anyone runs empty on that corridor. Texas has no equivalent flow out of the Carolinas, so the rate has to cover a driver's return. Raleigh to Kissimmee is $700 over 617 miles while Raleigh to Dallas is $1,400 over 1,190. Double the distance, double the price, which is the normal relationship. Florida is the bargain, not Texas the penalty.

Can a car hauler get to my street inside the Beltline?

Sometimes, and where it cannot we plan around it in advance. A car hauler runs about 75 feet. Oakwood, Five Points, Hayes Barton and the streets near Cameron Village are older and narrower, and the oak canopy Raleigh is named for hangs low enough to stop a truck before the street width does. In those cases we pick a nearby lot at booking rather than on the day. It takes ten minutes and costs nothing. North Raleigh, Brier Creek, Cary, Apex and Wake Forest load at the curb.

Is my car insured during Raleigh car shipping?

Yes. Your vehicle travels under Carrier Cargo Insurance from the moment it is loaded until it is delivered, and it never sits in a terminal or a storage lot along the way. Once your order is assigned to a carrier we can send you that carrier's certificate of insurance on request, right away. The Bill of Lading you sign at pickup is the condition record that backs any claim, so walk the car with the driver at both ends.

Do I need to be there when the truck arrives?

Someone does, but it does not have to be you. This comes up constantly in Raleigh because so many bookings are tied to a flight out of RDU. A friend, a family member, a neighbor or a shop can hand over the keys, as long as they are over 18 and reachable during the window. Name them at booking so the driver has the right contact. The one thing that person must do properly is go through the Bill of Lading condition report at both ends.

Can you ship a student car to or from NC State, Duke or UNC?

Yes, and it is one of the busiest things we do here. Mid-August to early September is the tightest window of the year, so book three to four weeks out rather than one. Ship about ten days before move-in if you can, because a truck arriving in the rush competes with every other family doing the same thing. Campuses close their inner streets during move-in, so delivery is usually a big-box or stadium lot a few minutes out. Name the school at booking and it gets planned rather than solved on the day.

Can I leave personal items in the car?

Usually yes, within reason. Most drivers will take a few things as a courtesy. Keep it under about 100 pounds, pack it neatly, and keep it out of sight from outside the car. Think a few boxes in the trunk rather than a carload. The one thing to know is that you are paying to move the vehicle, so the carrier's insurance covers the car itself. Keep anything you would hate to lose with you.

How do I prepare my car for Raleigh auto transport?

Wash it so existing marks show clearly, leave about a quarter tank of fuel, fold the mirrors, take off roof racks and loose trim, turn off your NC Quick Pass and disable the alarm. Have the keys ready at pickup, including any wheel lock key. Then walk the car with the driver and go through the Bill of Lading condition report together before it loads. That report is the document that settles anything later.

How far ahead should I book, and how does payment work?

One to two weeks ahead is comfortable on the Southeast routes, two to three in October and April when the Florida corridor is busiest, and three to four for an August student move. A deposit is taken at booking and the balance is due at delivery, commonly by cashier's check, money order or cash. You can also put the full amount on a credit card, but only at the time of booking, so the funds clear and are available for the carrier.

Can I cancel or change my pickup date?

Cancel any time before we assign a carrier and your deposit comes back to you. Once we assign one and send you the driver's details, that money is spoken for. It is not gone, though. You can push the move back and use it on a later shipment.

How do I compare Raleigh car shipping companies?

Check the USDOT and MC numbers against the FMCSA's own records before you book anything. Ours are USDOT 2887232 and MC 969368, and you can open our FMCSA record and read it yourself. We are also BBB Accredited with an A+ rating and carry public Google reviews on every office profile. The clearest warning sign is a quote well below everyone else's. If four companies say $700 to $800 and the fifth says $400, ask that company straight out whether it is a confirmed rate, then search their name alongside the phrase bait and switch. One more thing worth knowing: a company that asks for nothing up front is often the one least sure it can book your car at the price it quoted.

Does Smart Auto Move have an office I can visit in Raleigh?

No, and that is deliberate. Smart Auto Move is registered in Raleigh at 4208 Six Forks Rd Ste 1000, but there is no counter to walk into and we do not store vehicles anywhere. Your car goes from your address straight onto the carrier, which is the whole point: fewer people handle it and there is no gap in insurance coverage. Everything else is handled on 888-709-9078 or through the quote form on this page.

Does my car sit in a lot along the way?

No. Your car never sits anywhere. It goes from your address straight onto the carrier and stays covered under Carrier Cargo Insurance for the entire trip. Fewer people handle your vehicle and there is no gap in coverage between pickup and delivery.

Can you ship a non-running car from Raleigh?

Yes, on a truck with a winch. There is no flat fee for it. It typically runs $200 or more above the cost of shipping the same car running, and the exact figure needs a quick conversation about how the car rolls, steers and brakes. Tell us the true condition up front and the right equipment turns up first time.

Do you ship to Raleigh as well as from it?

Yes, and more cars arrive in the Triangle than leave it, which is unusual and works in your favor. Ask for the inbound number specifically rather than assuming it matches the outbound one, because a lane does not price the same in both directions. The quote form handles either direction in about two minutes.

Will you call or text me after I ask for a quote?

No. Asking for a Raleigh car shipping quote does not put you on a call list. We use what you give us to answer you directly and we never sell it to anyone. You are welcome to call us, though, on 888-709-9078.

More questions are answered on the full auto transport FAQ.

Raleigh routes and guides

Raleigh to Dallas Raleigh to Los Angeles North Carolina to Florida North Carolina to Texas Washington to North Carolina What car shipping costs How car shipping works Student car shipping

Written by Richard Avery

President, Smart Auto Move Inc

Richard Avery has worked in auto transport for over ten years. He writes about shipping routes, what drives prices, how carriers are coordinated, and how to plan a move.

Smart Auto Move Inc is a car shipping company moving vehicles nationwide. USDOT 2887232 · MC 969368. Registered business address: 4208 Six Forks Rd Ste 1000, Raleigh, NC 27609.

Richard Avery profile Verify on FMCSA Read BBB reviews Call 888-709-9078

Updated
September 11, 2026

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