South Carolina to Florida Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 498 miles from South Carolina to Florida falls between $630 and $865. Delivery typically takes one–four 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.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Florida to South Carolina 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 South Carolina to Florida 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 South Carolina to Florida:
- 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 South Carolina
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in South Carolina can deliver your vehicle to Florida:
- Columbia Auto Shipping Group: 3.7 out of 5 stars
- Hmh Logistics Llc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Xpress 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 South Carolina to Florida
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from South Carolina to Florida, 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 498 extra miles on your car to travel from South Carolina to Florida. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from South Carolina to Florida. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
Ship by train
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
South Carolina to Florida auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in South Carolina and Florida. The average journey covers about 498 miles and takes roughly one to four days.
Cost to ship a car from Charleston, SC to Florida
| From South Carolina to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Jacksonville, FL | $449 – $576 | 238 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, SC to Miami, FL | $686 – $1,009 | 590 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Charleston, SC to Tampa, FL | $604 – $820 | 435 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, SC to Orlando, FL | $557 – $811 | 380 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, SC to St. Petersburg, FL | $612 – $865 | 458 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, SC to Florida
| From South Carolina to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC to Jacksonville, FL | $475 – $635 | 293 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, SC to Miami, FL | $783 – $1,065 | 642 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, SC to Tampa, FL | $643 – $874 | 486 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, SC to Orlando, FL | $635 – $837 | 432 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, SC to St. Petersburg, FL | $685 – $860 | 509 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from North Charleston, SC to Florida
| From South Carolina to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston, SC to Jacksonville, FL | $443 – $643 | 240 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Miami, FL | $743 – $1,009 | 589 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Tampa, FL | $641 – $820 | 436 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Orlando, FL | $610 – $835 | 381 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| North Charleston, SC to St. Petersburg, FL | $618 – $839 | 459 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mount Pleasant, SC to Florida
| From South Carolina to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Jacksonville, FL | $434 – $625 | 242 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Miami, FL | $729 – $1,049 | 593 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Tampa, FL | $654 – $854 | 439 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Orlando, FL | $563 – $819 | 387 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to St. Petersburg, FL | $669 – $839 | 462 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rock Hill, SC to Florida
| From South Carolina to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hill, SC to Jacksonville, FL | $593 – $749 | 359 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Miami, FL | $807 – $1,118 | 711 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Tampa, FL | $690 – $950 | 555 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Orlando, FL | $632 – $924 | 501 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to St. Petersburg, FL | $743 – $1,009 | 577 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Carolina to Florida
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 South Carolina to Florida, expect costs to range from $788 to $1,081.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from South Carolina to Florida
When moving your vehicle from the Palmetto State to the Sunshine State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Florida than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The journey from South Carolina to Florida spans about 498 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from South Carolina around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between South Carolina and Florida.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is one–four days, but you can pay for expedited service.
Florida vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Florida, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- Car insurance requirements: All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
- Vehicle inspection: Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
- Driver’s license: If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
- Additional taxes: If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from South Carolina
More than 5.4 million people call South Carolina home. Nicknamed 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.
Transporting your vehicle to Florida
About 22.6 million people are living in the Sunshine State. Severe weather is a common occurrence in Florida, as Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the US. June 1st and November 30 is the time when most hurricanes in Florida occur, the most severe dates lie between August - October. Be sure to check your local weather station before your move as Florida is known for its thunderstorms and high levels of precipitation. Perhaps plan for a Winter or Springtime move to ensure the safety of your belongings.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Carolina and delivery in Florida?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in South Carolina and when dropping it off in Florida.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Carolina to Florida?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Carolina to Florida, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Florida, which you should verify before loading your car in South Carolina.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Carolina to Florida?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Carolina to Florida is about 498 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from South Carolina to Florida.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.
Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
If I have a driver’s license in South Carolina, will I need one in Florida?
If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
If I bought a car in South Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in Florida after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Carolina to Florida after purchasing it.
If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Carolina and Florida to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Florida?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Florida 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 South Carolina to Florida?
Shipping a car from South Carolina to Florida costs $630 to $865.
136-4 Forum Dr SUITE O, Columbia, SC 29229 US
230 Comiskey Park Circle, Summerville, SC 29485 US
4775 Apartment Blvd j2, North Charleston, SC 29418 US
1614 Taylor St #340, Columbia, SC 29201 US