($913) Cost to ship a car from Charleston, SC to Rochester, NY
Quick answer: Expect to pay around $913 to $1,402 to ship your car 913 miles from Charleston, South Carolina, to Rochester, New York. The actual cost depends on factors like your vehicle type, shipping method, and the time of year. For a customized estimate, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Rochester to Charleston car shipping guide.
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        The best Charleston to Rochester car shipping companies
Based on our research, here are the best car shipping companies for getting your car from Charleston to Rochester:
- Best for Real-Time Tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: 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 Charleston
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Charleston, SC:
- Columbia Auto Shipping Group: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Lmr Trucking Llc: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Hmh Logistics Llc: 3.52 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
        
        
        
    Car shipping alternatives from SC to NY
When you’re moving from Charleston to Rochester, there are several ways to get your car to your new home. Here are the most common car shipping alternatives. Each one has its own benefits and trade-offs.
Coordinate with your movers
On moves from Charleston to Rochester, it’s common for the top long-distance movers to coordinate with established car shippers for you. This can simplify your relocation, but you might not have a say in which car shipper they choose.
Drive your car
There are plenty of pros and cons to consider before driving instead of shipping your car. A 913-mile trip from Charleston to Rochester could turn into a fun travel experience and reduce expenses. Still, you’ll add significant mileage and could encounter bad weather and driving conditions.
Use a driving service
Having a driver transport your car from South Carolina to New York is also an option, but it doesn’t come cheap. You’ll need to trust that the driver can deliver your car safely from Charleston to Rochester. Plus, the trip inevitably adds wear and mileage to your vehicle.
Ship your car via train
Shipping a car by train is a cost-effective and safe way to transport your vehicle to Rochester, particularly if you’re already planning to move your household belongings by rail. In fact, it is the cheapest way to ship your car! Keep in mind that this method offers no real flexibility in terms of pickup and drop-off locations and will take longer than using a car shipper or driving.
Factors affecting Charleston to Rochester car shipping costs
When transporting your vehicle from Charleston to Rochester, these factors will influence the cost:
Transport method
You have a few different options for shipping your car from Charleston to Rochester, including open, enclosed, and top-loaded transport. The method you should choose depends on your specific needs.
Open carriers are the most cost-effective option, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re uncertain which option to use to get your vehicle to Rochester, refer to our guide on comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
Vehicle size and type
Your shipping costs out of Charleston will be determined in large part by what kind of car you have. As you might guess, the bigger the vehicle, the more it will cost. This is simply because it takes up more space and adds more weight to the carrier. So, a full-size SUV will be more expensive to ship to Rochester than a compact car.
Distance and route
Simply put, the farther you ship your car, the more it will cost. Longer trips mean higher fuel and labor costs, plus added expenses like tolls and carrier maintenance. For example, transporting your vehicle 913 miles from Charleston to Rochester will cost more than a shorter move within South Carolina.
Your destination plays a role as well. Routes that follow major highways are usually cheaper, while deliveries to remote areas tend to be more expensive.
The time of the year
Seasonal demand and weather conditions in both Charleston and Rochester can impact car shipping prices.
Consider moving to Charleston around October, April and May as these are the most pleasant months, while July and August are the least comfortable ones due to thunderstorms which can cause delays in your moving plans.
The cold weather and snow might be a challenge if you're planning to relocate to Rochester, NY during January and February. August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Rochester.
During peak moving times like summer and the winter holidays, demand for car shipping services increases, leading to higher prices. Shipping your car from Charleston to Rochester during these peak seasons can result in higher costs.
Fuel prices
Fuel price fluctuations can greatly influence transport costs. This is a critical factor given the 913-mile distance between Charleston and Rochester and the varying fuel prices across different regions. When fuel prices are high, shipping costs will rise accordingly.
Delivery expectations
By allowing more flexibility with your delivery window, you could secure discounted rates from your shipper. The process of moving a car from Charleston to Rochester usually takes two–seven days. Flexible timing helps keep costs down, while expedited shipping shortens the wait for an extra fee.
Comparing Charleston and Rochester vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Charleston: Resident property owners may renew Residential Parking Permits and single-day Visitor Permit Booklets by mail. Applications should be mailed to the following for immediate processing and handling: Revenue Collections 180 Lockwood Boulevard Suite 234 To schedule your appointment with The Parking division, please click the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/22parkingappts
- Rochester: Rochester’s parking regulations are designed to promote traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and availability of parking spaces on city streets. A variety of street signs placed along city streets indicate the parking regulations that apply. In addition to signs, parking meters are in place to provide on-street parking to as many vehicles as possible. Make sure to obtain the proper requirements upon moving.
Car insurance requirements
- Charleston: 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.
- Rochester: To register your vehicle in New York, you must have state-issued auto liability insurance meeting minimum requirements $10,000 property damage, $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury/death for one person, $50,000/$100,000 for two or more people in an accident. Failure to comply may lead to the suspension of both your car registration and New York driver's license. Stay compliant and protected on the road with the required coverage.
Vehicle inspections
- Charleston: Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.
- Rochester: If your vehicle was registered in another state that issues an inspection sticker, you have one year from the registration date or until the sticker expires to get a New York State vehicle inspection. If the previous inspection was performed in a jurisdiction that does not issue an inspection sticker, you must get a New York State inspection immediately.
Driver’s license
- Charleston: If you are moving to South Carolina, you will be required to obtain a South Carolina driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Rochester: New York residents must obtain a state driver license within 30 days of moving to the state.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Charleston to Rochester?
The cost to ship a car from Charleston, SC to Rochester, NY varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed car shipping), vehicle size and weight, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from Charleston to Rochester will range from $913 to $1,402.
How long will it take to ship my car from Charleston to Rochester?
It will take approximately two to seven days to ship your car the 913 miles from Charleston to Rochester. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Charleston to Rochester?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Charleston to Rochester. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.
Is it cheaper to ship my car or drive it from Charleston to Rochester?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Charleston to Rochester than to ship it. However, when deciding whether to drive your car or ship it, you need to factor in related costs like maintenance fees that could result from the additional wear-and-tear on your vehicle during the 913-mile trip. Long-distance trips also involve food and possibly lodging, which can add up quickly.
We recommend that you reach out to at least a few of the top car shippers to ask about seasonal rates and auto transport discounts. You can also use our car shipping calculator to quickly generate and compare quotes from multiple companies.
 
                                             
                                             
                                             
         
		                 
                 136-4 Forum Dr SUITE O, Columbia, SC 29229 US
        
                                
                136-4 Forum Dr SUITE O, Columbia, SC 29229 US            
        
                     105 Northcreek Dr, Shelbyville, TN 37160 US
        
                                
                105 Northcreek Dr, Shelbyville, TN 37160 US            
        
                     230 Comiskey Park Circle, Summerville, SC 29485 US
        
                                
                230 Comiskey Park Circle, Summerville, SC 29485 US            
        
                     4775 Apartment Blvd j2, North Charleston, SC 29418 US
        
                                
                4775 Apartment Blvd j2, North Charleston, SC 29418 US            
        
                     18 Broad St #340, Charleston, SC 29401 US
        
                                
                18 Broad St #340, Charleston, SC 29401 US            
        
                     
            