Maryland to South Carolina Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 523 miles from Maryland to South Carolina ranges from $638 to $859. Expect the trip to take around one–six days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use 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 Maryland 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 Maryland to South Carolina car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Maryland to South Carolina:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Maryland
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Maryland that can transport your vehicle to South Carolina:
- Baltimore Auto Shipping Group: 3.64 out of 5 stars
- Jdf International Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Right Way Auto Transport Inc: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- S J Trucking & Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- All State to State Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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 Maryland to South Carolina
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Maryland 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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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 523 extra miles on your car to travel from Maryland to South Carolina. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Maryland to South Carolina for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
Ship by train
This service provides a secure and budget-friendly option for transporting your car. Car shipping by train is actually the most economical choice.
Maryland to South Carolina auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Maryland and South Carolina. The average travel distance is about 523 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days.
Cost to ship a car from Washington DC, MD to South Carolina
| From Maryland to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC, MD to Charleston, SC | $664 – $899 | 531 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Columbia, SC | $629 – $916 | 478 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Washington DC, MD to North Charleston, SC | $638 – $868 | 523 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $644 – $917 | 533 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Rock Hill, SC | $591 – $801 | 425 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Baltimore, MD to South Carolina
| From Maryland to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD to Charleston, SC | $692 – $957 | 575 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Columbia, SC | $638 – $895 | 522 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to North Charleston, SC | $675 – $986 | 567 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $727 – $1,026 | 579 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Rock Hill, SC | $661 – $829 | 470 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, MD to South Carolina
| From Maryland to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MD to Charleston, SC | $661 – $929 | 569 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Columbia, SC | $683 – $859 | 516 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to North Charleston, SC | $682 – $919 | 561 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $723 – $910 | 571 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Rock Hill, SC | $642 – $838 | 459 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Germantown, MD to South Carolina
| From Maryland to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown, MD to Charleston, SC | $668 – $996 | 552 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Columbia, SC | $609 – $916 | 499 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Germantown, MD to North Charleston, SC | $644 – $964 | 544 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $689 – $967 | 555 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Rock Hill, SC | $609 – $801 | 447 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Silver Spring, MD to South Carolina
| From Maryland to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Spring, MD to Charleston, SC | $684 – $973 | 545 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Columbia, SC | $654 – $863 | 492 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to North Charleston, SC | $644 – $927 | 538 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $644 – $908 | 548 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Rock Hill, SC | $646 – $843 | 440 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Maryland to South Carolina
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Maryland to South Carolina, the price usually falls between $798 and $1,074.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Maryland to South Carolina
When arranging car transport from the Old Line State to the Palmetto State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- 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 South Carolina.
- Distance and route: The route from Maryland to South Carolina is about 523 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Maryland around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Maryland and South Carolina may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Maryland to South Carolina takes one–six days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
South Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to South Carolina, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- 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 Maryland
More than 6.2 million people call Maryland home. Nicknamed the Old Line State. Maryland has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to water, and protection from colder weather due to downslope winds. The eastern half of Maryland — which includes the cities of Ocean City, Salisbury, Annapolis, and the southern and eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore — lies on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with flat topography and sandy or muddy soil. This region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a short, mild-to-cool winter
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 Maryland 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 Maryland and when dropping it off in South Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Maryland to South Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Maryland 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 Maryland.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. All vehicles in Maryland must maintain insurance coverage from a Maryland-licensed insurance company at all times, with mandatory minimum coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.
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 Maryland to South Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Maryland to South Carolina is about 523 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Maryland to South Carolina.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If you recently relocated to Maryland or bought a vehicle, you must get it inspected at an authorized inspection station before registering the vehicle. New residents are mandated to undergo a vehicle safety inspection before obtaining car registration.
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 Maryland, 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 Maryland, 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 Maryland 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 Maryland and South Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Maryland to South Carolina?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Maryland 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 Maryland to South Carolina?
Shipping a car from Maryland to South Carolina costs $638 to $859.
210 E Lexington St #100, Baltimore, MD 21202 US
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