South Carolina to Maryland Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 523 miles from South Carolina to Maryland usually costs between $641 and $882. Transit time is about one–six days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Maryland 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 Maryland car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from South Carolina to Maryland:
- 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
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in South Carolina that can transport your vehicle to Maryland:
- 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 Maryland
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from South Carolina for a move to Maryland, 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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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 523 miles on your car going from South Carolina to Maryland. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from South Carolina to Maryland, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
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 Maryland auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in South Carolina and Maryland. The typical distance is about 523 miles, with shipping times generally falling between one and six days.
Cost to ship a car from Charleston, SC to Maryland
| From South Carolina to Maryland | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Washington DC, MD | $635 – $895 | 531 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Charleston, SC to Baltimore, MD | $652 – $953 | 570 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Charleston, SC to Columbia, MD | $679 – $972 | 568 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Charleston, SC to Germantown, MD | $645 – $925 | 552 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Charleston, SC to Silver Spring, MD | $641 – $941 | 544 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, SC to Maryland
| From South Carolina to Maryland | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC to Washington DC, MD | $657 – $903 | 478 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, SC to Baltimore, MD | $648 – $864 | 518 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, SC to Columbia, MD | $635 – $864 | 515 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, SC to Germantown, MD | $641 – $856 | 500 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, SC to Silver Spring, MD | $595 – $903 | 492 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from North Charleston, SC to Maryland
| From South Carolina to Maryland | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston, SC to Washington DC, MD | $667 – $856 | 522 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Baltimore, MD | $679 – $972 | 562 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Columbia, MD | $645 – $944 | 554 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Germantown, MD | $635 – $931 | 544 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Silver Spring, MD | $687 – $941 | 536 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mount Pleasant, SC to Maryland
| From South Carolina to Maryland | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Washington DC, MD | $674 – $931 | 533 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Baltimore, MD | $686 – $953 | 573 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Columbia, MD | $686 – $906 | 570 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Germantown, MD | $679 – $944 | 555 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Silver Spring, MD | $674 – $868 | 547 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rock Hill, SC to Maryland
| From South Carolina to Maryland | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hill, SC to Washington DC, MD | $567 – $800 | 424 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Baltimore, MD | $602 – $851 | 464 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Columbia, MD | $639 – $851 | 461 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Germantown, MD | $625 – $807 | 445 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Silver Spring, MD | $631 – $798 | 438 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Carolina to Maryland
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from South Carolina to Maryland, the price usually falls between $801 and $1,103.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from South Carolina to Maryland
When moving your vehicle from the Palmetto State to the Old Line State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- 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 South Carolina to Maryland.
- Distance and route: Traveling from South Carolina to Maryland involves roughly 523 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of South Carolina, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from South Carolina to Maryland, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- 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 South Carolina to Maryland should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Maryland vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Maryland, 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 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: As a new resident of Maryland, it's mandatory to obtain a Maryland driver's license within 60 days. You need to surrender your previous state's driver's license before obtaining a Maryland one.
- Additional taxes: The sales tax in Maryland is set at 6%. This applies to both new and used car purchases, adding an additional 6% to the cost. Fortunately for Maryland residents, there is no sales tax imposed by any other governing level in the state.
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 Maryland
About 6.2 million people are living in 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
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Carolina and delivery in Maryland?
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 Maryland.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Carolina to Maryland?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Carolina to Maryland, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Maryland, 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 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.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Carolina to Maryland?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Carolina to Maryland 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 South Carolina to Maryland.
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.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in South Carolina, will I need one in Maryland?
As a new resident of Maryland, it's mandatory to obtain a Maryland driver's license within 60 days. You need to surrender your previous state's driver's license before obtaining a Maryland one.
If I bought a car in South Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in Maryland after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Carolina to Maryland after purchasing it.
The sales tax in Maryland is set at 6%. This applies to both new and used car purchases, adding an additional 6% to the cost. Fortunately for Maryland residents, there is no sales tax imposed by any other governing level in the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Carolina and Maryland to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Maryland?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Maryland 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 Maryland?
Shipping a car from South Carolina to Maryland costs $641 to $882.
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