South Carolina to Louisiana Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 749 miles from South Carolina to Louisiana ranges from $786 to $1,152. 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana:
- 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 South Carolina
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in South Carolina can deliver your vehicle to Louisiana:
- 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 Louisiana
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from South Carolina to Louisiana, 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
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 749 miles on your car going from South Carolina to Louisiana. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from South Carolina to Louisiana. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
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 Louisiana auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in South Carolina and Louisiana. Average distances are close to 749 miles, with delivery usually taking one–six days.
Cost to ship a car from Charleston, SC to Louisiana
| From South Carolina to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to New Orleans, LA | $734 – $1,162 | 761 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charleston, SC to Baton Rouge, LA | $770 – $1,131 | 819 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charleston, SC to Shreveport, LA | $805 – $1,176 | 893 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charleston, SC to Metairie, LA | $803 – $1,173 | 765 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA | $802 – $1,246 | 873 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, SC to Louisiana
| From South Carolina to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC to New Orleans, LA | $758 – $1,053 | 677 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, SC to Baton Rouge, LA | $733 – $1,053 | 735 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, SC to Shreveport, LA | $754 – $1,131 | 809 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Columbia, SC to Metairie, LA | $750 – $1,095 | 681 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, SC to Lafayette, LA | $803 – $1,148 | 789 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from North Charleston, SC to Louisiana
| From South Carolina to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston, SC to New Orleans, LA | $764 – $1,106 | 753 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Baton Rouge, LA | $754 – $1,177 | 811 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Shreveport, LA | $805 – $1,225 | 885 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Metairie, LA | $795 – $1,173 | 757 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Lafayette, LA | $755 – $1,222 | 864 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mount Pleasant, SC to Louisiana
| From South Carolina to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant, SC to New Orleans, LA | $772 – $1,128 | 764 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Baton Rouge, LA | $793 – $1,119 | 822 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Shreveport, LA | $781 – $1,188 | 896 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Metairie, LA | $749 – $1,106 | 768 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Lafayette, LA | $828 – $1,249 | 876 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rock Hill, SC to Louisiana
| From South Carolina to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hill, SC to New Orleans, LA | $761 – $1,108 | 703 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Baton Rouge, LA | $734 – $1,117 | 761 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Shreveport, LA | $806 – $1,159 | 830 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Metairie, LA | $739 – $1,043 | 707 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Lafayette, LA | $754 – $1,154 | 815 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Carolina to Louisiana
Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
Shipping a larger vehicle from South Carolina to Louisiana usually runs between $983 and $1,440.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from South Carolina to Louisiana
Transporting your vehicle from the Palmetto State to the Pelican State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on 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 Louisiana.
- Distance and route: The trip from South Carolina to Louisiana covers roughly 749 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of South Carolina in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between South Carolina and Louisiana.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes one–six days, while expedited service costs more.
Louisiana vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Louisiana 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: The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
- Vehicle inspection: In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
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 Louisiana
About 4.6 million people are living in the Pelican State. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Carolina and delivery in Louisiana?
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 Louisiana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Carolina to Louisiana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Carolina to Louisiana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Louisiana, 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.
The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Carolina to Louisiana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Carolina to Louisiana is about 749 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from South Carolina to Louisiana.
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.
In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
If I have a driver’s license in South Carolina, will I need one in Louisiana?
New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in South Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in Louisiana after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Carolina to Louisiana after purchasing it.
In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Carolina and Louisiana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Louisiana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
Shipping a car from South Carolina to Louisiana costs $786 to $1,152.
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