California to South Carolina Car Shipping (With 2023 Costs)

Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car from California to South Carolina ranges from $1,536 to $2,421.

Estimated Cost Distance of Shipment Estimated transit time
$1,536 - $2,421 2512 miles 7 - 15 days
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Transparent pricing
  • Fully insured
Check prices (864) 492-1221

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
Check prices (888) 259-6046

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
Check prices (833) 775-1461

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable
Check prices (866) 563-0804

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 13 yrs experience
  • Ship boat, RV, ATV
Check prices (224) 206-5633

% of users select this mover

Shipping a Car from California to South Carolina

Use the following resources for more information on your auto transportation needs:

Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and California car shippers you should use.

The best California to South Carolina car shippers

A good car shipping company should cover the basics. These are the things to look out for in a quality transport company:

  • Insurance: Make sure the insurance covers both the company and the hauler the company contracts with to ship the car.
  • Experience: Look for a company that has multiple years of experience and a good track record.
  • Shipping options: Good car shipping companies will offer open and closed transport, expedited delivery, shipment tracking, and more.
  • Added Perks: Damage coverage, no initial deposits, rental car assistance, free car wash, and guaranteed pricing are some additional options great car shippers offer.
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Transparent pricing
  • Fully insured
Check prices (864) 492-1221

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
Check prices (888) 259-6046

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
Check prices (833) 775-1461

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable
Check prices (866) 563-0804

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 13 yrs experience
  • Ship boat, RV, ATV
Check prices (224) 206-5633

% of users select this mover

The average cost to ship a car from California to South Carolina

Estimated Cost Distance of Shipment Estimated transit time
$1,536 - $2,421 2512 miles 7 - 15 days

Because the distance between California to South Carolina is about 2512 miles, it’ll take from 7 to 15 days to complete your car shipment.

Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to South Carolina

  • Los Angeles to Spartanburg: $1,520 to $2,420
  • Los Angeles to Charleston: $1,519 to $2,435
  • Los Angeles to Columbia: $1,520 to $2,420
  • Los Angeles to Rock Hill: $1,519 to $2,435
  • Los Angeles to Greenville: $1,520 to $2,420

Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to South Carolina

  • San Diego to Spartanburg: $1,520 to $2,420
  • San Diego to Charleston: $1,519 to $2,435
  • San Diego to Columbia: $1,520 to $2,420
  • San Diego to Rock Hill: $1,520 to $2,420
  • San Diego to Greenville: $1,516 to $2,396

Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to South Carolina

  • San Jose to Spartanburg: $1,598 to $2,493
  • San Jose to Charleston: $1,634 to $2,564
  • San Jose to Columbia: $1,598 to $2,493
  • San Jose to Rock Hill: $1,598 to $2,493
  • San Jose to Greenville: $1,536 to $2,421

Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to South Carolina

  • San Francisco to Spartanburg: $1,598 to $2,493
  • San Francisco to Charleston: $1,634 to $2,564
  • San Francisco to Columbia: $1,598 to $2,493
  • San Francisco to Rock Hill: $1,634 to $2,564
  • San Francisco to Greenville: $1,598 to $2,493

Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to South Carolina

  • Fresno to Spartanburg: $1,519 to $2,435
  • Fresno to Charleston: $1,598 to $2,493
  • Fresno to Columbia: $1,536 to $2,421
  • Fresno to Rock Hill: $1,536 to $2,421
  • Fresno to Greenville: $1,519 to $2,435

Shipping an SUV or Truck from California to South Carolina

Since vehicles such as SUV, 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 $1,920 and $3,026.

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

  • Open Carrier or Enclosed Trailer – Most new cars from ports and factories are moved on open auto carriers, while race cars, vintage collector’s cars, and high-dollar luxury cars get enclosed transport
  • Time of the year – Due to demand, prices tend to be a little higher in the summer.
  • Size, Weight, and Type of Vehicle – The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more shipping will cost.
  • 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, this delivery should take between 7 and 15 days.
  • Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal at origin and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.

How car shipping from California to South Carolina works

  • After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from California to South Carolina.
  • Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in California where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
  • Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in South Carolina on your delivery date.

What else should you know about shipping a car from California to South Carolina?

  • Car Insurance requirements: In South Carolina, all drivers are required to have liability insurance. The state minimum liability limits are 25/50/25, which means that the insurance must cover 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.
  • 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.

Alternative ways to ship your car

  • Drive it yourself: Straightforward but not always an option and it will put a lot of miles on your car.
  • Ship it with your movers: If you hire a reputable mover, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
  • Drivewaway: Hire someone to drive the car for you. It’s an option…
  • 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!

Learn more with our car shipping checklist

Shipping Your Car from California to South Carolina FAQs

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

Most companies will require someone that is at least 18-years-old to 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, it’s not 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.