South Dakota to South Carolina Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,536 miles from South Dakota to South Carolina ranges from $1,043 to $1,631. Expect the trip to take around three–nine 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 South Carolina to South Dakota 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 Dakota to South Carolina car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from South Dakota to South Carolina:
- 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 Dakota
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in South Dakota can deliver your vehicle to South Carolina:
- Auto Transport by Stopwatch: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Yada Enterprises Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Auto Transport by Stopwatch
3400 W Chicago St, Rapid City, SD 57702 US
stopwatchusa.com
3.56 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Classic cars
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2965797
Yada Enterprises Inc
611 N Main St, Redfield, SD 57469 US
yadaenterprises.net
3.5 / 5.0
Yada Enterprises has received significant feedback regarding their vehicle transport services, highlighting both commendable customer interactions and notable issues with vehicle damage. While many customers appreciated the respectful conduct of drivers and timely delivery, there were serious concerns about vehicle mishandling and lack of accountability for damages during transport.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Classic cars
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1255110
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 Dakota to South Carolina
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from South Dakota to South Carolina, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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4.75 / 5
Licensed
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Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,536 extra miles on your car to travel from South Dakota to South Carolina. 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 Dakota to South Carolina. 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 Dakota to South Carolina 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 Dakota and South Carolina. The average travel distance is about 1,536 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to nine days.
Cost to ship a car from Sioux Falls, SD to South Carolina
| From South Dakota to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Charleston, SC | $1,043 – $1,567 | 1,464 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Columbia, SC | $988 – $1,493 | 1,355 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to North Charleston, SC | $1,095 – $1,567 | 1,456 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,053 – $1,537 | 1,466 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Rock Hill, SC | $978 – $1,419 | 1,327 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rapid City, SD to South Carolina
| From South Dakota to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD to Charleston, SC | $1,182 – $1,716 | 1,806 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Columbia, SC | $1,153 – $1,594 | 1,697 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Rapid City, SD to North Charleston, SC | $1,146 – $1,783 | 1,798 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,279 – $1,788 | 1,809 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Rock Hill, SC | $1,107 – $1,660 | 1,669 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aberdeen, SD to South Carolina
| From South Dakota to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen, SD to Charleston, SC | $1,096 – $1,643 | 1,612 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Columbia, SC | $1,043 – $1,631 | 1,503 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to North Charleston, SC | $1,084 – $1,660 | 1,604 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,096 – $1,594 | 1,615 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Rock Hill, SC | $1,053 – $1,537 | 1,475 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Brookings, SD to South Carolina
| From South Dakota to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings, SD to Charleston, SC | $1,098 – $1,631 | 1,517 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Columbia, SC | $1,011 – $1,460 | 1,408 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Brookings, SD to North Charleston, SC | $1,131 – $1,537 | 1,509 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,152 – $1,521 | 1,519 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Rock Hill, SC | $949 – $1,522 | 1,379 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Watertown, SD to South Carolina
| From South Dakota to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown, SD to Charleston, SC | $1,098 – $1,584 | 1,520 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Columbia, SC | $991 – $1,567 | 1,411 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Watertown, SD to North Charleston, SC | $1,087 – $1,552 | 1,513 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Mount Pleasant, SC | $1,098 – $1,646 | 1,523 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Rock Hill, SC | $978 – $1,463 | 1,383 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to South Carolina
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 Dakota to South Carolina, the price usually falls between $1,304 and $2,039.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from South Dakota to South Carolina
When transporting your vehicle from the Mount Rushmore State to the Palmetto State, these factors will influence your final price:
- 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: 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 South Carolina.
- Distance and route: Traveling from South Dakota to South Carolina involves roughly 1,536 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of South Dakota in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between South Dakota and South Carolina.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from South Dakota to South Carolina should take between three and nine days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
South Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to South Carolina, 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: 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.
- Vehicle inspection: Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.
- Driver’s license: 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.
- Additional taxes: In South Carolina, there is a sales tax imposed on the purchase of a vehicle. The sales tax rate is 6%, which is collected by the dealer at the time of purchase.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from South Dakota
More than 919,318 people call South Dakota home. Nicknamed the Mount Rushmore State. In South Dakota, drivers are required to have liability insurance coverage with at least the following minimum limits: $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person in an accident, $50,000 for total bodily injury or death per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
Transporting your vehicle to South Carolina
About 5.4 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Dakota and delivery in South Carolina?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in South Dakota and when dropping it off in South Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Dakota to South Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Dakota to South Carolina, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to South Carolina, which you should verify before loading your car in South Dakota.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In South Dakota, drivers must show proof of financial responsibility, typically met through car insurance. Key coverage includes: Bodily Injury Liability (25/50/25): $25,000/person, $50,000/accident for injuries. Property Damage Liability (25/50/25): $25,000/accident for property damage. Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM): Required for personal injuries caused by uninsured drivers or hit-and-runs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM): Covers personal injuries from motorists with insufficient insurance. Note: Coverages are not stackable; they operate independently.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Dakota to South Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to South Carolina is about 1,536 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from South Dakota to South Carolina.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
South Dakota does not have a mandatory vehicle inspection program for passenger vehicles. However, commercial vehicles and buses are required to pass annual inspections. If you are a new resident of South Dakota, you are required to obtain a South Dakota driver's license within 90 days of becoming a resident.
Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.
If I have a driver’s license in South Dakota, will I need one in South Carolina?
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.
If I bought a car in South Dakota, will I be required to pay sales tax in South Carolina after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Dakota to South Carolina after purchasing it.
In South Carolina, there is a sales tax imposed on the purchase of a vehicle. The sales tax rate is 6%, which is collected by the dealer at the time of purchase.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Dakota and South Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to South Carolina?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to South Carolina 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 Dakota to South Carolina?
Shipping a car from South Dakota to South Carolina costs $1,043 to $1,631.
