Montana to South Carolina Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 2,137 miles from Montana to South Carolina falls between $1,318 and $2,012. Delivery typically takes four–twelve days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
|
|
|
|
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our South Carolina to Montana 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 Montana 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 Montana 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 Montana
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Montana can deliver your vehicle to South Carolina:
- Turbo Auto Transport: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Big Sky Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Turbo Auto Transport
5001 49th St. SW, Great Falls, MT 59404 US
turboautotransport.com
3.56 / 5.0
Customers consistently praise the service as the best in Great Falls, Montana, highlighting exceptional customer service and expertise in truck and trailer repairs. Some emphasize the positive atmosphere and helpful staff, underscoring their willingness to assist with vehicle needs. However, no significant complaints or issues were noted, indicating overall satisfaction with the services provided.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1482475
Alternative Business Names
- Turbo Transportation Group, LLC
Big Sky Auto Transport
4825 53rd Avenue SW, Great Falls, MT 59404 US
bigskyautotransport.com
3.5 / 5.0
Customers overwhelmingly praise Big Sky Auto Transport for their excellent communication, timely service, and the professionalism of their drivers. Many noted the special attention provided by the staff, making the process smooth and reassuring. However, some reviews did not mention any significant negatives, indicating overall satisfaction with the service.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Motorcycles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 598761
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 Montana to South Carolina
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Montana 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.
|
|
 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
|
|
Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 2,137 extra miles on your car to travel from Montana 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 Montana to South Carolina. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
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.
Montana to South Carolina auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Montana and South Carolina. Average distances are close to 2,137 miles, with delivery usually taking four–twelve days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to South Carolina
| From Montana to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Charleston, SC | $1,306 – $1,912 | 2,121 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Billings, MT to Columbia, SC | $1,204 – $1,999 | 2,011 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Billings, MT to North Charleston, SC | $1,230 – $1,932 | 2,113 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Billings, MT to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,230 – $2,032 | 2,123 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Billings, MT to Rock Hill, SC | $1,298 – $1,896 | 1,983 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to South Carolina
| From Montana to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Charleston, SC | $1,331 – $1,969 | 2,457 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Missoula, MT to Columbia, SC | $1,331 – $2,038 | 2,353 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Missoula, MT to North Charleston, SC | $1,305 – $1,989 | 2,454 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Missoula, MT to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,292 – $2,133 | 2,465 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Missoula, MT to Rock Hill, SC | $1,344 – $2,058 | 2,325 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to South Carolina
| From Montana to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Charleston, SC | $1,289 – $2,018 | 2,290 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Columbia, SC | $1,204 – $2,032 | 2,181 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Great Falls, MT to North Charleston, SC | $1,213 – $2,079 | 2,282 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,289 – $1,917 | 2,292 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Rock Hill, SC | $1,268 – $2,092 | 2,152 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to South Carolina
| From Montana to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Charleston, SC | $1,251 – $1,957 | 2,260 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Columbia, SC | $1,280 – $1,992 | 2,151 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bozeman, MT to North Charleston, SC | $1,340 – $2,099 | 2,253 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,340 – $2,099 | 2,263 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Rock Hill, SC | $1,280 – $2,032 | 2,123 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to South Carolina
| From Montana to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Charleston, SC | $1,344 – $1,997 | 2,340 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Butte, MT to Columbia, SC | $1,225 – $1,937 | 2,256 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Butte, MT to North Charleston, SC | $1,331 – $2,058 | 2,337 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Butte, MT to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,267 – $1,936 | 2,348 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Butte, MT to Rock Hill, SC | $1,340 – $2,079 | 2,233 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana 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 Montana to South Carolina you should expect to pay between $1,648 and $2,515.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to South Carolina
Transporting your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Palmetto State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- 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: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Montana to South Carolina.
- Distance and route: The route from Montana to South Carolina is about 2,137 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from Montana in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Montana and South Carolina may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within four–twelve days, but expedited options cost more.
South Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to South Carolina means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- 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 Montana
More than 1.1 million people call Montana home. Nicknamed the Big Sky Country. Montana has a lot of variation in geography, topography, and elevation, and the climate is equally varied. The western half is mountainous, interrupted by numerous large valleys. Eastern Montana comprises plains and badlands, broken by hills and isolated mountain ranges, The Continental Divide has a considerable effect on the climate, as it restricts the flow of warmer air from the Pacific from moving east, and drier continental air from moving west. The area west of the divide has a modified northern Pacific Coast climate, with milder winters, cooler summers, less wind, and a longer growing season. Low clouds and fog often form in the valleys west of the divide in winter, but this is rarely seen in the east.
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 Montana 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 Montana and when dropping it off in South Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to South Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana 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 Montana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Montana, drivers must meet legal requirements for minimum car insurance liability coverage to ensure financial responsibility in accidents. Mandated by state regulations, this includes $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, covering collective medical expenses in case of multiple injuries, capped at $50,000 for the entire incident. Additionally, there's a required minimum of $20,000 per accident for property damage, crucial for addressing costs related to damage to another party's vehicle or property. Adhering to these insurance requirements is imperative for all motorists, ensuring compliance with state laws and contributing to a secure and responsible driving environment on Montana roadways.
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 Montana to South Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to South Carolina is about 2,137 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take four to twelve days to travel from Montana to South Carolina.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
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 Montana, 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 Montana, 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 Montana 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 Montana and South Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to South Carolina?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana 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 Montana to South Carolina?
Shipping a car from Montana to South Carolina costs $1,318 to $2,012.
