This study is aimed to optimize a location of region of interest (ROI) in test bolus carotid contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) at 3.0T. A total of consecutive 270 patients with no cardiovascular and vessel diseases were selected. Patients underwent elliptical centric 3D CE-MRA with the test bolus technique to identify the individual arterial arrival time. Quantitative measurements were performed by drawing ROIs of 25 mm2 and signal intensities (SI) were measured in the center of common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA) and aortic arch (AA). As a result, ROIs located within AA showed a significantly clarified arterial peak and over three times increased SI, while no significant arterial peak time differences were observed compared to ROIs located within CCA. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the aortic arch is the optimal position to locate ROI in test bolus images of the carotid CE-MRA.