South Carolina to Maine Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,163 miles from South Carolina to Maine ranges from $886 to $1,318 and takes two–eight days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Maine 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 Maine 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 South Carolina to Maine:
- 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 South Carolina
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in South Carolina ready to move your vehicle to Maine:
- 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
Columbia Auto Shipping Group
136-4 Forum Dr SUITE O, Columbia, SC 29229 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-south-carolina/columbia
3.7 / 5.0
Customers frequently praise the excellent communication, professionalism, and seamless experiences provided by Auto Shipping Group. The team is described as helpful and reliable, with cars arriving undamaged and often ahead of schedule. However, there were no prominent negative aspects reported by customers.
Services Offered
- 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
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239008
Hmh Logistics Llc
230 Comiskey Park Circle, Summerville, SC 29485 US
hmhlogistics.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 3186769
Andrew Auto Transport
4775 Apartment Blvd j2, North Charleston, SC 29418 US
andrewautotransport.com
3.5 / 5.0
The company is widely criticized for its lack of professionalism and inferior service delivery. Customers feel frustrated with the overall performance and question the company's reliability.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2241947
Xpress Auto Transport
1614 Taylor St #340, Columbia, SC 29201 US
xpressautoship.com/city/columbia-south-carolina
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 3878126
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 Maine
Ship it with your movers
When moving from South Carolina to Maine, 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.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,163 extra miles on your car to travel from South Carolina to Maine. 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 Maine. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
Ship by train
If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
South Carolina to Maine 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 Maine. The typical distance is about 1,163 miles, with shipping times generally falling between two and eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Charleston, SC to Maine
| From South Carolina to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Portland, ME | $838 – $1,288 | 1,068 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Charleston, SC to Lewiston, ME | $773 – $1,327 | 1,098 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Charleston, SC to Bangor, ME | $912 – $1,373 | 1,194 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Charleston, SC to South Portland, ME | $838 – $1,367 | 1,069 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Charleston, SC to Auburn, ME | $805 – $1,340 | 1,095 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, SC to Maine
| From South Carolina to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC to Portland, ME | $813 – $1,288 | 1,014 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Columbia, SC to Lewiston, ME | $813 – $1,314 | 1,044 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Columbia, SC to Bangor, ME | $912 – $1,373 | 1,143 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Columbia, SC to South Portland, ME | $813 – $1,236 | 1,016 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Columbia, SC to Auburn, ME | $838 – $1,275 | 1,045 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from North Charleston, SC to Maine
| From South Carolina to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston, SC to Portland, ME | $805 – $1,340 | 1,060 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Lewiston, ME | $830 – $1,353 | 1,088 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Bangor, ME | $886 – $1,331 | 1,186 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| North Charleston, SC to South Portland, ME | $789 – $1,262 | 1,060 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Auburn, ME | $838 – $1,236 | 1,089 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mount Pleasant, SC to Maine
| From South Carolina to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Portland, ME | $781 – $1,249 | 1,071 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Lewiston, ME | $930 – $1,345 | 1,101 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Bangor, ME | $842 – $1,428 | 1,197 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to South Portland, ME | $805 – $1,288 | 1,072 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Auburn, ME | $912 – $1,401 | 1,100 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rock Hill, SC to Maine
| From South Carolina to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hill, SC to Portland, ME | $786 – $1,283 | 962 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Lewiston, ME | $850 – $1,241 | 991 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Bangor, ME | $789 – $1,275 | 1,089 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to South Portland, ME | $852 – $1,257 | 962 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Auburn, ME | $825 – $1,254 | 989 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Carolina to Maine
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 South Carolina to Maine you should expect to pay between $1,108 and $1,648.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from South Carolina to Maine
When arranging car transport from the Palmetto State to the Pine Tree State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- 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: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to Maine.
- Distance and route: The journey from South Carolina to Maine spans approximately 1,163 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- 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 Maine.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from South Carolina to Maine takes two–eight days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Maine vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Maine, 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: In Maine, drivers must carry a minimum liability coverage of 50/100/25, requiring $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for all injuries per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, as per car insurance laws.
- Vehicle inspection: The State of Maine requires annual safety inspections for all vehicles used on public roads to ensure they are in proper working condition and safe to operate. Safety inspections in Maine can be carried out at any official service station of the Maine Department of Transportation.
- Driver’s license: New residents of Maine are required to obtain a new state license within 30 days of establishing residency. If you are moving to Maine and possess a valid or recently expired (within the past 5 years) out-of-state driver's license from another US state, you can obtain a Class C license, including a REAL ID license, by visiting a Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.
- Additional taxes: Maine requires registered car owners to pay an annual excise tax for motor vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, and stock vehicles. This tax is calculated by multiplying the current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the vehicle by the mileage rate.
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 Maine
About 1.4 million people are living in the Pine Tree State. Maine has a humid continental climate. with warm and sometimes humid summers, and long, cold and very snowy winters. Winters are especially severe in the Northern and Western parts of Maine, while coastal areas are moderated slightly by the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in marginally milder winters and cooler summers than inland regions.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Carolina and delivery in Maine?
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 Maine.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Carolina to Maine?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Carolina to Maine, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Maine, 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.
In Maine, drivers must carry a minimum liability coverage of 50/100/25, requiring $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for all injuries per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, as per car insurance laws.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Carolina to Maine?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Carolina to Maine is about 1,163 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from South Carolina to Maine.
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.
The State of Maine requires annual safety inspections for all vehicles used on public roads to ensure they are in proper working condition and safe to operate. Safety inspections in Maine can be carried out at any official service station of the Maine Department of Transportation.
If I have a driver’s license in South Carolina, will I need one in Maine?
New residents of Maine are required to obtain a new state license within 30 days of establishing residency. If you are moving to Maine and possess a valid or recently expired (within the past 5 years) out-of-state driver's license from another US state, you can obtain a Class C license, including a REAL ID license, by visiting a Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.
If I bought a car in South Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in Maine after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Carolina to Maine after purchasing it.
Maine requires registered car owners to pay an annual excise tax for motor vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, and stock vehicles. This tax is calculated by multiplying the current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the vehicle by the mileage rate.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Carolina and Maine to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Maine?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Maine 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 Maine?
Shipping a car from South Carolina to Maine costs $886 to $1,318.
