Michigan to South Carolina Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 923 miles from Michigan to South Carolina typically falls between $861 and $1,310. The process usually takes two–seven 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 Michigan 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 Michigan to South Carolina car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Michigan 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
- 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
Top local car shippers in Michigan
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Michigan who can get your vehicle to South Carolina:
- Detroit Auto Shipping Group: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- First Choice Of Elkhart Inc: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport: 3.72 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport Co Inc: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Great Lakes Logistics Llc: 3.64 out of 5 stars
Detroit Auto Shipping Group
100 Riverfront Dr Suite 2610, Detroit, MI 48226 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-michigan/detroit
3.8 / 5.0
Customers consistently praised the exceptional service provided by staff members, particularly highlighting their communication skills and professionalism throughout the auto shipping process. Many felt confident and informed during their experience.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- 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
- Boats
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2239008
First Choice Of Elkhart Inc
10888 Us Highway 12, White Pigeon, MI 49099 US
firstchoiceautotransport.com
3.8 / 5.0
Customers frequently praised the friendly and helpful staff, particularly mentioning responsive communication and professionalism. However, experiences were marred by complaints about poor communication regarding fees and serious issues with the handling of a vehicle accident involving uninsured drivers.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 681284
Jack Cooper Transport
2900 Miller Rd, Dearborn, MI 48120 US
jackcooper.com
3.72 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- RVs
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 64161
Alternative Business Names
- Pacific Motor Trucking Co.
Jack Cooper Transport Co Inc
7262 Lansing Rd, Dimondale, MI 48821 US
jackcooper.com
3.66 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 64161
Alternative Business Names
- Pacific Motor Trucking Co.
Great Lakes Logistics Llc
9338 Harrison Rd, Romulus, MI 48174 US
greatlakeslogistics.net
3.64 / 5.0
Great Lakes Logistics receives praise for exceptional customer service, reliable communication, and timely delivery while facing criticism for issues with equipment quality and communication difficulties.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2951078
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 Michigan to South Carolina
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Michigan for a move to South Carolina, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 923 miles on your car going from Michigan to South Carolina. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Michigan to South Carolina. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
Ship by train
Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
Michigan to South Carolina auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in Michigan and South Carolina. The trip typically spans 923 miles and takes about two–seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to South Carolina
| From Michigan to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Charleston, SC | $796 – $1,190 | 831 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Detroit, MI to Columbia, SC | $767 – $1,127 | 716 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Detroit, MI to North Charleston, SC | $804 – $1,178 | 831 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Detroit, MI to Mount Pleasant, SC | $804 – $1,275 | 841 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Detroit, MI to Rock Hill, SC | $751 – $1,025 | 658 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to South Carolina
| From Michigan to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids, MI to Charleston, SC | $811 – $1,334 | 950 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Columbia, SC | $796 – $1,263 | 841 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to North Charleston, SC | $828 – $1,335 | 948 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Mount Pleasant, SC | $860 – $1,283 | 959 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Rock Hill, SC | $785 – $1,155 | 775 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Warren, MI to South Carolina
| From Michigan to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warren, MI to Charleston, SC | $771 – $1,251 | 849 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Warren, MI to Columbia, SC | $769 – $1,081 | 740 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Warren, MI to North Charleston, SC | $796 – $1,166 | 847 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Warren, MI to Mount Pleasant, SC | $800 – $1,243 | 858 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Warren, MI to Rock Hill, SC | $721 – $1,121 | 674 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Sterling Heights, MI to South Carolina
| From Michigan to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling Heights, MI to Charleston, SC | $783 – $1,255 | 859 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to Columbia, SC | $761 – $1,184 | 743 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to North Charleston, SC | $848 – $1,206 | 851 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to Mount Pleasant, SC | $857 – $1,243 | 861 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to Rock Hill, SC | $778 – $1,147 | 677 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to South Carolina
| From Michigan to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI to Charleston, SC | $831 – $1,137 | 818 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Columbia, SC | $759 – $1,071 | 709 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to North Charleston, SC | $775 – $1,233 | 816 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Mount Pleasant, SC | $820 – $1,190 | 827 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Rock Hill, SC | $774 – $1,063 | 643 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to South Carolina
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from Michigan to South Carolina, expect costs to range from $1,076 to $1,638.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Michigan to South Carolina
If you’re shipping a car from the Wolverine State to the Palmetto State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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 Michigan to South Carolina spans about 923 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Michigan, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Michigan and South Carolina.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is two–seven days, but you can pay for expedited service.
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 Michigan
More than 10.0 million people call Michigan home. Nicknamed the Wolverine State. Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
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 Michigan 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 Michigan and when dropping it off in South Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to South Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Michigan 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 Michigan.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
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 Michigan to South Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to South Carolina is about 923 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Michigan to South Carolina.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
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 Michigan, 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan 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 Michigan and South Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to South Carolina?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan 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 Michigan to South Carolina?
Shipping a car from Michigan to South Carolina costs $861 to $1,310.
