South Carolina to Michigan Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 919 miles from South Carolina to Michigan ranges from $836 to $1,272. Expect the trip to take around two–seven 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 Michigan 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 Michigan car shipping companies
Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from South Carolina to Michigan:
- 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
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in South Carolina that can transport your vehicle to Michigan:
- 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 Michigan
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from South Carolina for a move to Michigan, 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 option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 919 miles on your car to travel between South Carolina and Michigan. To compare your options, see 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 Michigan. 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 Michigan 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 Michigan. Average distances are close to 919 miles, with delivery usually taking two–seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Charleston, SC to Michigan
| From South Carolina to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Detroit, MI | $820 – $1,227 | 825 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charleston, SC to Grand Rapids, MI | $852 – $1,283 | 950 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charleston, SC to Warren, MI | $844 – $1,202 | 847 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charleston, SC to Sterling Heights, MI | $848 – $1,169 | 852 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charleston, SC to Ann Arbor, MI | $780 – $1,227 | 825 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, SC to Michigan
| From South Carolina to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC to Detroit, MI | $743 – $1,094 | 720 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, SC to Grand Rapids, MI | $788 – $1,239 | 839 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Columbia, SC to Warren, MI | $816 – $1,081 | 732 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, SC to Sterling Heights, MI | $808 – $1,195 | 736 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, SC to Ann Arbor, MI | $805 – $1,138 | 706 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from North Charleston, SC to Michigan
| From South Carolina to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston, SC to Detroit, MI | $791 – $1,233 | 823 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Grand Rapids, MI | $796 – $1,322 | 942 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Warren, MI | $836 – $1,190 | 839 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Sterling Heights, MI | $804 – $1,251 | 843 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Ann Arbor, MI | $831 – $1,233 | 817 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mount Pleasant, SC to Michigan
| From South Carolina to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Detroit, MI | $844 – $1,166 | 838 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Grand Rapids, MI | $860 – $1,321 | 953 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Warren, MI | $816 – $1,169 | 854 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Sterling Heights, MI | $808 – $1,255 | 854 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Ann Arbor, MI | $799 – $1,185 | 824 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rock Hill, SC to Michigan
| From South Carolina to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hill, SC to Detroit, MI | $781 – $1,111 | 651 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Grand Rapids, MI | $761 – $1,124 | 769 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Warren, MI | $736 – $1,036 | 671 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Sterling Heights, MI | $773 – $1,089 | 671 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Ann Arbor, MI | $730 – $1,021 | 640 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Carolina to Michigan
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 Michigan, the price usually falls between $1,045 and $1,590.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from South Carolina to Michigan
When transporting your vehicle from the Palmetto State to the Wolverine State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to 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 Michigan.
- Distance and route: The trip from South Carolina to Michigan covers roughly 919 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of South Carolina more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between South Carolina and Michigan.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within two–seven days, but expedited options cost more.
Michigan vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in Michigan, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- Car insurance requirements: Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
- Vehicle inspection: Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
- Driver’s license: Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
- Additional taxes: In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
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 Michigan
About 10.0 million people are living in the Wolverine State. Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Carolina and delivery in Michigan?
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 Michigan.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Carolina to Michigan?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Carolina to Michigan, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Michigan, 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.
Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Carolina to Michigan?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Carolina to Michigan is about 919 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from South Carolina to Michigan.
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.
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
If I have a driver’s license in South Carolina, will I need one in Michigan?
Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
If I bought a car in South Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in Michigan after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Carolina to Michigan after purchasing it.
In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Carolina and Michigan to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Michigan?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Michigan 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 Michigan?
Shipping a car from South Carolina to Michigan costs $836 to $1,272.
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