South Carolina to Rhode Island Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 885 miles from South Carolina to Rhode Island usually costs between $807 and $1,216. Transit time is about two–seven 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island:
- 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
- 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
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in South Carolina
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in South Carolina who can get your vehicle to Rhode Island:
- 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 Rhode Island
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from South Carolina for a move to Rhode Island, 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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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 885 miles to your car on the trip from South Carolina to Rhode Island. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from South Carolina to Rhode Island for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
Ship by train
This service provides a secure and budget-friendly option for transporting your car. Car shipping by train is actually the most economical choice.
South Carolina to Rhode Island auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in South Carolina and Rhode Island. The trip typically spans 885 miles and takes about two–seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Charleston, SC to Rhode Island
| From South Carolina to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Providence, RI | $824 – $1,291 | 935 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charleston, SC to Warwick, RI | $784 – $1,204 | 928 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charleston, SC to Cranston, RI | $760 – $1,241 | 932 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charleston, SC to Pawtucket, RI | $832 – $1,241 | 939 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charleston, SC to East Providence, RI | $784 – $1,278 | 936 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, SC to Rhode Island
| From South Carolina to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC to Providence, RI | $815 – $1,155 | 883 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Columbia, SC to Warwick, RI | $807 – $1,240 | 876 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Columbia, SC to Cranston, RI | $815 – $1,276 | 880 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Columbia, SC to Pawtucket, RI | $831 – $1,228 | 887 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Columbia, SC to East Providence, RI | $799 – $1,228 | 885 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from North Charleston, SC to Rhode Island
| From South Carolina to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston, SC to Providence, RI | $768 – $1,229 | 928 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Warwick, RI | $800 – $1,253 | 920 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Cranston, RI | $816 – $1,290 | 924 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Pawtucket, RI | $824 – $1,253 | 931 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| North Charleston, SC to East Providence, RI | $816 – $1,216 | 928 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mount Pleasant, SC to Rhode Island
| From South Carolina to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Providence, RI | $800 – $1,229 | 938 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Warwick, RI | $840 – $1,303 | 931 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Cranston, RI | $800 – $1,204 | 935 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Pawtucket, RI | $816 – $1,241 | 942 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to East Providence, RI | $824 – $1,266 | 939 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rock Hill, SC to Rhode Island
| From South Carolina to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hill, SC to Providence, RI | $824 – $1,150 | 828 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Warwick, RI | $764 – $1,157 | 821 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Cranston, RI | $832 – $1,126 | 826 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Pawtucket, RI | $753 – $1,197 | 835 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to East Providence, RI | $816 – $1,233 | 829 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Carolina to Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island, the price usually falls between $1,009 and $1,520.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from South Carolina to Rhode Island
Transporting your vehicle from the Palmetto State to the Ocean 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: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Rhode Island than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The trip from South Carolina to Rhode Island covers roughly 885 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from South Carolina around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between South Carolina and Rhode Island may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is two–seven days, but you can pay for expedited service.
Rhode Island vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Rhode Island, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- Car insurance requirements: When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
- Vehicle inspection: All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
- Driver’s license: If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
- Additional taxes: When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.
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 Rhode Island
About 1.1 million people are living in the Ocean State. Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Carolina and delivery in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Carolina to Rhode Island?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Carolina to Rhode Island, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Rhode Island, 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.
When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Carolina to Rhode Island?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Carolina to Rhode Island is about 885 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 Rhode Island.
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.
All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
If I have a driver’s license in South Carolina, will I need one in Rhode Island?
If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
If I bought a car in South Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in Rhode Island after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Carolina to Rhode Island after purchasing it.
When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Carolina and Rhode Island to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Rhode Island?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
Shipping a car from South Carolina to Rhode Island costs $807 to $1,216.
