Maryland to South Carolina Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 523 miles from Maryland to South Carolina typically falls between $640 and $906. The process usually takes one–six 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 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
After logging over 400 hours of research in the car shipping industry, we found that these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Maryland 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
- 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 Maryland
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Maryland ready to move 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
When moving from Maryland to South Carolina, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 523 miles to your car on the trip from Maryland to South Carolina. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Maryland to South Carolina. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Maryland and South Carolina. The average journey covers about 523 miles and takes roughly 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 | $672 – $866 | 531 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Columbia, SC | $587 – $875 | 478 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Washington DC, MD to North Charleston, SC | $627 – $819 | 523 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $666 – $875 | 533 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Rock Hill, SC | $587 – $837 | 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 | $653 – $989 | 575 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Columbia, SC | $646 – $897 | 522 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to North Charleston, SC | $677 – $895 | 567 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $694 – $913 | 579 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Rock Hill, SC | $607 – $799 | 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 | $631 – $960 | 569 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Columbia, SC | $633 – $888 | 516 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to North Charleston, SC | $677 – $895 | 561 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $644 – $877 | 571 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Rock Hill, SC | $613 – $849 | 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 | $644 – $932 | 552 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Columbia, SC | $631 – $892 | 499 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Germantown, MD to North Charleston, SC | $653 – $884 | 544 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $684 – $895 | 555 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Rock Hill, SC | $605 – $837 | 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 | $659 – $902 | 545 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Columbia, SC | $593 – $866 | 492 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to North Charleston, SC | $633 – $902 | 538 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $633 – $849 | 548 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Rock Hill, SC | $605 – $829 | 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 $800 and $1,133.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Maryland to South Carolina
When transporting your vehicle from the Old Line State to the Palmetto State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed 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 South Carolina.
- Distance and route: The journey from Maryland to South Carolina spans approximately 523 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Maryland more expensive during these times.
- 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: 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 Maryland to South Carolina should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
South Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in South Carolina, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- 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 $640 to $906.
210 E Lexington St #100, Baltimore, MD 21202 US
1301 York Road Suite 800, Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 US
1911 East Old Philadelphia Road, Elkton, MD 21921 US
140 Western Maryland Pkwy Unit D, Hagerstown, MD 21740 US
4 Dwelling House Ct, Catonsville, MD 21228 US