Texas to South Carolina Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,204 miles from Texas to South Carolina usually costs between $922 and $1,425. Transit time is about two–eight 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 South Carolina to Texas 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 Texas to South Carolina 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 Texas 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
- 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 Texas
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Texas that can relocate your vehicle to South Carolina:
- New World Auto Transport: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Lepke Auto Transport: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- San Antonio Auto Shipping Group: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- Thrifty Auto Shipping, Inc.: 3.62 out of 5 stars
- Trans Global Auto Logistics: 3.58 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 Texas to South Carolina
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Texas to South Carolina, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 1,204 miles on your car to travel between Texas and South Carolina. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Texas to South Carolina. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
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.
Texas 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 Texas and South Carolina. The average travel distance is about 1,204 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Houston, TX to South Carolina
| From Texas to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX to Charleston, SC | $823 – $1,242 | 1,084 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Houston, TX to Columbia, SC | $823 – $1,279 | 1,000 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Houston, TX to North Charleston, SC | $760 – $1,242 | 1,076 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Houston, TX to Mount Pleasant, SC | $808 – $1,242 | 1,087 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Houston, TX to Rock Hill, SC | $792 – $1,254 | 1,027 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Antonio, TX to South Carolina
| From Texas to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, TX to Charleston, SC | $922 – $1,439 | 1,279 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Columbia, SC | $828 – $1,283 | 1,195 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to North Charleston, SC | $885 – $1,341 | 1,271 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Mount Pleasant, SC | $950 – $1,383 | 1,282 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Rock Hill, SC | $959 – $1,383 | 1,222 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Dallas, TX to South Carolina
| From Texas to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX to Charleston, SC | $753 – $1,292 | 1,078 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Dallas, TX to Columbia, SC | $756 – $1,209 | 994 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Dallas, TX to North Charleston, SC | $823 – $1,267 | 1,070 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Dallas, TX to Mount Pleasant, SC | $792 – $1,217 | 1,081 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Dallas, TX to Rock Hill, SC | $745 – $1,192 | 1,016 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Austin, TX to South Carolina
| From Texas to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX to Charleston, SC | $876 – $1,341 | 1,248 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Austin, TX to Columbia, SC | $896 – $1,283 | 1,164 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Austin, TX to North Charleston, SC | $950 – $1,411 | 1,240 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Austin, TX to Mount Pleasant, SC | $968 – $1,355 | 1,250 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Austin, TX to Rock Hill, SC | $888 – $1,270 | 1,164 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fort Worth, TX to South Carolina
| From Texas to South Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth, TX to Charleston, SC | $845 – $1,337 | 1,113 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Columbia, SC | $808 – $1,317 | 1,029 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to North Charleston, SC | $888 – $1,283 | 1,105 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Mount Pleasant, SC | $845 – $1,297 | 1,115 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Rock Hill, SC | $753 – $1,217 | 1,050 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Texas to South Carolina
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from Texas to South Carolina, expect costs to range from $1,153 to $1,781.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Texas to South Carolina
If you’re shipping a car from the Lone Star State to the Palmetto State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Texas to South Carolina.
- Distance and route: The route from Texas to South Carolina is about 1,204 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 Texas, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Texas and South Carolina.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within two–eight days, but expedited options cost more.
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 Texas
More than 30.5 million people call Texas home. Nicknamed the Lone Star State. Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
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 Texas 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 Texas and when dropping it off in South Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Texas to South Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Texas 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 Texas.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Every driver in Texas is mandated to have liability insurance known as 30/60/25 coverage. However, this minimum requirement may fall short in adequately covering the aftermath of a moderately severe accident. The basic policy offers $30,000 for individual injury coverage, up to $60,000 for injury coverage per accident, and provides up to $25,000 for property damage.
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 Texas to South Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Texas to South Carolina is about 1,204 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Texas to South Carolina.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
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 Texas, 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 Texas, 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 Texas 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 Texas and South Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Texas to South Carolina?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Texas 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 Texas to South Carolina?
Shipping a car from Texas to South Carolina costs $922 to $1,425.
300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205 US
5460 Babcock Rd #120-C, San Antonio, TX 78240 US
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2401 Houston St, Grand Prairie, TX 75050 US