South Carolina to Virginia Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 339 miles from South Carolina to Virginia ranges from $529 to $730. Expect the trip to take around one–four 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia:
- 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
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in South Carolina ready to move your vehicle to Virginia:
- 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 Virginia
Ship it with your movers
When moving from South Carolina to Virginia, 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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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 339 extra miles on your car to travel from South Carolina to Virginia. 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 Virginia. 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 Virginia auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in South Carolina and Virginia. The average travel distance is about 339 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days.
Cost to ship a car from Charleston, SC to Virginia
| From South Carolina to Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Virginia Beach, VA | $623 – $821 | 454 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, SC to Chesapeake, VA | $603 – $860 | 438 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, SC to Arlington, VA | $670 – $936 | 528 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Charleston, SC to Norfolk, VA | $603 – $852 | 437 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, SC to Richmond, VA | $593 – $820 | 423 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, SC to Virginia
| From South Carolina to Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC to Virginia Beach, VA | $611 – $820 | 402 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, SC to Chesapeake, VA | $568 – $833 | 385 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, SC to Arlington, VA | $654 – $916 | 475 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, SC to Norfolk, VA | $556 – $825 | 385 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, SC to Richmond, VA | $530 – $748 | 370 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from North Charleston, SC to Virginia
| From South Carolina to Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston, SC to Virginia Beach, VA | $646 – $801 | 446 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Chesapeake, VA | $585 – $869 | 430 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Arlington, VA | $683 – $859 | 519 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Norfolk, VA | $609 – $801 | 429 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| North Charleston, SC to Richmond, VA | $611 – $804 | 414 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mount Pleasant, SC to Virginia
| From South Carolina to Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Virginia Beach, VA | $604 – $898 | 457 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Chesapeake, VA | $591 – $877 | 441 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Arlington, VA | $650 – $899 | 530 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Norfolk, VA | $615 – $827 | 440 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mount Pleasant, SC to Richmond, VA | $603 – $827 | 425 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rock Hill, SC to Virginia
| From South Carolina to Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hill, SC to Virginia Beach, VA | $558 – $786 | 367 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Chesapeake, VA | $586 – $786 | 351 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Arlington, VA | $611 – $779 | 421 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Norfolk, VA | $575 – $748 | 350 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Richmond, VA | $533 – $700 | 316 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Carolina to Virginia
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 Virginia, the price usually falls between $661 and $913.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from South Carolina to Virginia
When arranging car transport from the Palmetto State to the Old Dominion State, the following factors will determine your overall 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: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Virginia than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The route from South Carolina to Virginia is about 339 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- 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: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between South Carolina and Virginia may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within one–four days, but expedited options cost more.
Virginia vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Virginia, 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: It's crucial for drivers to have liability insurance, meeting the state's minimum coverage requirements: $25,000 for individual injury or death, $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, and $20,000 for property damage. Elevate your road safety with mandatory uninsured motorist coverage, ensuring protection with matching limits. Stay road-ready by fulfilling these insurance obligations in Virginia.
- Vehicle inspection: All vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspections at DMV-approved stations. Vehicles that fail can be re-inspected for free within 60 days. Upon passing, a sticker is issued to indicate the vehicle's compliance.
- Driver’s license: To obtain a driver's license, individuals must pass written, vision, and driving tests. To be eligible, individuals must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner's permit for at least 9 months. Specialized license types such as motorcycle, commercial, and provisional for under 18 are also available. Drivers with a valid out-of-state license can convert it without taking the test. Driver's licenses are issued by the DMV and are valid for 8 years, and can be renewed online or in person.
- Additional taxes: When moving to Virginia, you will need to register your vehicle with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 30 days of establishing residency in the state. As part of the registration process, you will be required to pay various taxes and fees, including a personal property tax on your vehicle. The amount of tax you will need to pay will depend on the value of your vehicle and the county or city in which you reside. Additionally, you may also need to pay a one-time vehicle titling fee, depending on the age of your vehicle. You should check with the Virginia DMV for specific details and requirements.
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 Virginia
About 8.7 million people are living in the Old Dominion State. Virginia has humid hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have a strong effect on eastern and southeastern coastal areas of the Commonwealth, making the climate there warmer and more constant.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Carolina and delivery in Virginia?
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 Virginia.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Carolina to Virginia?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Carolina to Virginia, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Virginia, 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.
It's crucial for drivers to have liability insurance, meeting the state's minimum coverage requirements: $25,000 for individual injury or death, $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, and $20,000 for property damage. Elevate your road safety with mandatory uninsured motorist coverage, ensuring protection with matching limits. Stay road-ready by fulfilling these insurance obligations in Virginia.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Carolina to Virginia?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Carolina to Virginia is about 339 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from South Carolina to Virginia.
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 vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspections at DMV-approved stations. Vehicles that fail can be re-inspected for free within 60 days. Upon passing, a sticker is issued to indicate the vehicle's compliance.
If I have a driver’s license in South Carolina, will I need one in Virginia?
To obtain a driver's license, individuals must pass written, vision, and driving tests. To be eligible, individuals must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner's permit for at least 9 months. Specialized license types such as motorcycle, commercial, and provisional for under 18 are also available. Drivers with a valid out-of-state license can convert it without taking the test. Driver's licenses are issued by the DMV and are valid for 8 years, and can be renewed online or in person.
If I bought a car in South Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in Virginia after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Carolina to Virginia after purchasing it.
When moving to Virginia, you will need to register your vehicle with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 30 days of establishing residency in the state. As part of the registration process, you will be required to pay various taxes and fees, including a personal property tax on your vehicle. The amount of tax you will need to pay will depend on the value of your vehicle and the county or city in which you reside. Additionally, you may also need to pay a one-time vehicle titling fee, depending on the age of your vehicle. You should check with the Virginia DMV for specific details and requirements.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Carolina and Virginia to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Virginia?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Virginia 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 Virginia?
Shipping a car from South Carolina to Virginia costs $529 to $730.
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