California to South Carolina Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 2,502 miles from California to South Carolina typically falls between $1,345 and $2,059. The process usually takes seven–fifteen days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our South Carolina to California car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best California to South Carolina car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from California to South Carolina:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in California
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in California who can get your vehicle to South Carolina:
- Jp Logistics & Motorsports: 3.94 out of 5 stars
- Auto Express Inc.: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- King Of The Road Transport Inc: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- A To Z Auto Shipping: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.: 3.78 out of 5 stars
Jp Logistics & Motorsports
11582 Sheldon St, Sun Valley, CA 91352 US
jplogistics.net
3.94 / 5.0
Customers consistently praise JP Logistics for their excellent communication and reliable service. While there are no significant complaints, some note that pricing is slightly higher, which is justified by the quality of service received.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1975227
Alternative Business Names
- JP Logistics
Auto Express Inc.
501 W Broadway Ste. 800, San Diego, CA 92101 US
autoexpressinc-car-shipping-san-diego.com
3.88 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3428899
King Of The Road Transport Inc
7316 Lindley Ave, Reseda, CA 91335 US
kingoftheroadtransport.com
3.86 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
- Senior
- Student
- Teacher
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: DOT#2248724
A To Z Auto Shipping
30101 Agoura Court, Suite 109, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 US
atozauto.com
3.86 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 675504
Alternative Business Names
- A to Z auto Shipping, Inc.
McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.
45125 Industrial Dr, Fremont, CA 94538 US
mccollisters.com
3.78 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Heavy equipment
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 289344
Alternative Business Names
- McCollister's Transportation Group, Inc
- McCollister's Transportation
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to South Carolina
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from California to South Carolina, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 2,502 extra miles on your car to travel from California to South Carolina. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from California to South Carolina. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
California to South Carolina auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in California and South Carolina. The average journey covers about 2,502 miles and takes roughly seven to fifteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to South Carolina
| From California to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Charleston, SC | $1,216 – $2,092 | 2,471 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Columbia, SC | $1,255 – $1,976 | 2,387 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to North Charleston, SC | $1,292 – $2,112 | 2,463 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,279 – $1,989 | 2,473 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Rock Hill, SC | $1,267 – $2,071 | 2,408 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to South Carolina
| From California to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA to Charleston, SC | $1,305 – $2,051 | 2,436 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Columbia, SC | $1,306 – $2,119 | 2,352 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to North Charleston, SC | $1,331 – $2,092 | 2,428 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,254 – $2,071 | 2,439 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Rock Hill, SC | $1,242 – $2,017 | 2,374 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to South Carolina
| From California to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to Charleston, SC | $1,307 – $2,181 | 2,726 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Columbia, SC | $1,305 – $2,184 | 2,642 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to North Charleston, SC | $1,307 – $2,116 | 2,718 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,417 – $2,159 | 2,729 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Rock Hill, SC | $1,386 – $1,995 | 2,664 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bakersfield, CA to South Carolina
| From California to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA to Charleston, SC | $1,228 – $2,112 | 2,487 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Columbia, SC | $1,267 – $1,948 | 2,403 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to North Charleston, SC | $1,318 – $2,010 | 2,479 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,318 – $2,112 | 2,489 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Rock Hill, SC | $1,343 – $2,092 | 2,424 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to South Carolina
| From California to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Charleston, SC | $1,445 – $2,181 | 2,769 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Columbia, SC | $1,345 – $2,205 | 2,685 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to North Charleston, SC | $1,307 – $2,202 | 2,761 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,348 – $2,138 | 2,771 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Rock Hill, SC | $1,390 – $2,159 | 2,706 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to South 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 California to South Carolina you should expect to pay between $1,681 and $2,574.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from California to South Carolina
If you’re shipping a car from the Golden State to the Palmetto State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to South Carolina than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: Traveling from California to South Carolina involves roughly 2,502 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of California, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between California and South Carolina may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- 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 California to South Carolina should take between seven and fifteen days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
South Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to South Carolina, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.
- Driver’s license: If you are moving to South Carolina, you will be required to obtain a South Carolina driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: In South Carolina, there is a sales tax imposed on the purchase of a vehicle. The sales tax rate is 6%, which is collected by the dealer at the time of purchase.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from California
More than 39.0 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
Transporting your vehicle to South Carolina
About 5.4 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in South Carolina?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in South Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to South Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to South 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 South Carolina, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to South Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to South Carolina is about 2,502 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take seven to fifteen days to travel from California to South Carolina.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in South Carolina?
If you are moving to South Carolina, you will be required to obtain a South Carolina driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in South Carolina after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to South Carolina after purchasing it.
In South Carolina, there is a sales tax imposed on the purchase of a vehicle. The sales tax rate is 6%, which is collected by the dealer at the time of purchase.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and South Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to South Carolina?
The cheapest way to ship a car from California to South 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 California to South Carolina?
Shipping a car from California to South Carolina costs $1,345 to $2,059.
