South Carolina to Rhode Island Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from South Carolina to Rhode Island

When transporting your vehicle from the Palmetto State to the Ocean 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 Rhode Island.
• Distance and route: The journey from South Carolina to Rhode Island spans approximately 885 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 South Carolina, 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 South Carolina and Rhode Island 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 South Carolina to Rhode Island should take between 2 and 7 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

The best South Carolina to Rhode Island car shipping companies

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

• 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 South Carolina to Rhode Island

• Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 885 miles on your car going from South Carolina to Rhode Island. 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 South Carolina to Rhode Island 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 South Carolina to Rhode Island?

• Car insurance requirements: When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
• Vehicle inspection: All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
• Driver’s license: If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
• Additional taxes: When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist

Transporting your vehicle from South Carolina

Over 39 million people call South Carolina home. Nicknamed the Palmetto State, South Carolina had hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters and coastal areas of the state have very mild winters. While precipitation is abundant the entire year in almost the entire state, the coast tends to have a slightly wetter summer, while inland, the spring and autumn transitions tend to be the wettest periods and winter the driest season, with November being the driest month.

Transporting your vehicle to Rhode Island

About 22 million people are living in the Ocean State of Rhode Island. Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in South Carolina and when dropping off my car in Rhode Island?

Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in South Carolina and when dropping it off in Rhode Island.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Carolina to Rhode Island?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Carolina to Rhode Island, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Rhode Island, which you should verify before loading your car in South Carolina.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In South Carolina, it's a legal requirement for every driver to have liability insurance. Adhering to the state's minimum liability limits, commonly referred to as 25/50/25, entails securing coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Stay compliant with these essential insurance standards to drive confidently on South Carolina roads.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.

How long does it take to ship a car from South Carolina to Rhode Island?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Carolina to Rhode Island is about 885 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-7 days to travel from South Carolina to Rhode Island.

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

Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.

All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.

If I have a driver’s license in South Carolina, will I need one in Rhode Island?

If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.

If I bought a car in South Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in Rhode Island after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Carolina to Rhode Island after purchasing it.

When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Carolina and Rhode Island to avoid any hidden costs.

Helpful South Carolina resources