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Route guide · IL → SC
Car shipping from Illinois to South Carolina
Car transport from Illinois to South Carolina runs 890 road miles between the biggest metros. Shipping a running sedan from Chicago to Charleston costs about $800–$1,200 on an open carrier and $1,200–$1,800 in an enclosed trailer, with 2–4 days in transit. It ranks #236 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,000
- Road miles
- 890
- Days in transit
- 2–4
- People moving a year
- 6.3K
- Companies at both ends
- 97
City to city
Cost to ship a car from Illinois to South Carolina, city to city
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Chicago, Rockford, Springfield and Peoria and Charleston, Columbia, Rock Hill and Greenville — 620 to 970 road miles apart.
| From | Charleston | Columbia | Rock Hill | Greenville |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $800–$1,200890 mi · 2–4 days | $750–$1,150770 mi · 2–4 days | $725–$1,125710 mi · 2–4 days | $700–$1,100660 mi · 2–3 days |
| Rockford | $850–$1,250970 mi · 2–4 days | $800–$1,200850 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175790 mi · 2–4 days | $750–$1,150740 mi · 2–4 days |
| Springfield | $800–$1,200850 mi · 2–4 days | $750–$1,150740 mi · 2–4 days | $725–$1,100680 mi · 2–4 days | $675–$1,075620 mi · 2–3 days |
| Peoria | $800–$1,200900 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175790 mi · 2–4 days | $750–$1,150730 mi · 2–4 days | $700–$1,100670 mi · 2–4 days |
Estimate, not a quote
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Chicago to Charleston, 890 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $800–$1,200 | $1,200–$1,800 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $900–$1,350 | $1,350–$2,025 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,000–$1,500 | $1,500–$2,250 |
| Pickup truck | $1,050–$1,575 | $1,575–$2,350 |
| Motorcycle | $475–$725 | $725–$1,075 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in December (snowbird season, when retirees ship cars south for the winter and the holidays), running about 20% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Illinois to South Carolina is February–May and September.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,000 Peak: about $1,200
About this route
Why so many cars go from Illinois to South Carolina
About 6,302 people moved from Illinois to South Carolina in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (6,046 in 2023, 6,558 in 2024). That is 2.2% of everyone who left Illinois for another state.
Only about 1,384 people a year go back from South Carolina to Illinois, so demand here is mostly one-way. With trucks toward South Carolina in steady demand, expect quick pickups and little room to haggle.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,000, shipping from Illinois to South Carolina costs more than sending a car to Virginia ($975) and Georgia ($925) but less than to Texas ($1,025) and Colorado ($1,075). That works out to about $1.12 a mile.
Distance and transit time
The 890-mile run from Chicago to Charleston takes 2–4 days on a carrier — short enough that driving yourself is a real option. The car heads southeast and crosses one time zone — from Central to Eastern time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- Winter storms in Illinois can slow pickups and deliveries in December through February — leave slack in your schedule.
Companies
Car transport companies from Illinois to South Carolina
Companies headquartered at either end of the route usually run this lane often. Filter by services, company type and safety record — every listing is matched to its FMCSA record.
- Pickup end Illinois 82 companies · 66 carriers · 16 brokers · 1,476 trucks · 9 yrs avg.
- Delivery end South Carolina 15 companies · 15 carriers · 2 brokers · 46 trucks · 8 yrs avg.
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OA
Orgil Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedFamily-owned Chicago-area car carrier serving OEMs, dealers, auctions and rental fleets across the U.S.
EM
Extra Mile Transport
FMCSA verifiedAF
Auto Fury
FMCSA verifiedChicago-area carrier shipping exotic, classic and everyday cars nationwide, insured up to $3.75 million.
LH
Luccar Hauler LLC
FMCSA verifiedConway, SC car hauler running 3-car trailers for dealers, auctions and relocations across nine Southern states.
MA
M&N Auto Logistics LLC
FMCSA verifiedIllinois nationwide auto transport with online quotes, booking and shipment tracking; open and enclosed options.
BA
Barnes Auto Transportation
FMCSA verifiedLicensed carrier shipping imports, classics, exotics, antiques and machinery coast to coast at reasonable rates.
LT
LMR Trucking Inc
FMCSA verifiedNorth Charleston auto transport carrier and broker moving dealer and auction vehicles across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.
RA
R&R Auto Haul
FMCSA verifiedChicago-area car hauler with 24/7 dispatch and regular runs from Chicago to Florida, Texas and New Jersey.
RL
Rockaway Logistics Inc
FMCSA verifiedVeteran-owned South Carolina car hauler moving dealer, auction, fleet and private vehicles on local and nationwide routes.
SC
Secure Car Shipping
FMCSA verifiedGreenville, SC auto transport company offering door-to-door, cross-country car shipping with zero upfront payment.
AC
AllState CarShip
FMCSA verifiedChicago auto transport broker offering door-to-door shipping for cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs and ATVs.
RC
Road Commander Auto Transportation
FMCSA verifiedTT
Top Tier Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedChicago auto transport broker with instant online pricing and open, expedited and enclosed shipping packages.
CT
Cassens Transport Company
FMCSA verifiedAT
Americars Transportation Inc
FMCSA verifiedAA
American Auto Transport Inc
FMCSA verifiedNo companies match these filters
Try fewer filters, or include companies from other states that serve this route.
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to South Carolina but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Illinois? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Illinois to states near South Carolina
To South Carolina from states near Illinois
FAQ
Illinois to South Carolina car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and South Carolina's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Illinois to South Carolina?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $800–$1,200 from Chicago to Charleston (890 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $675–$1,250. An SUV costs about $900–$1,350, a pickup $1,050–$1,575, and an enclosed trailer $1,200–$1,800 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to South Carolina?
Transit is usually 2–4 days after pickup for the 890-mile trip from Chicago to Charleston. The wait for pickup is separate: typically 1–5 days, or 1–2 days if you pay about 30% more for expedited service.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Illinois to South Carolina?
February–May and September is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 20% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in South Carolina after moving?
South Carolina requires new residents to register within 45 days of becoming a resident. New residents pay a one-time $250 Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, and property tax is paid before registration.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Illinois to South Carolina?
Driving 890 miles takes about 2 days: roughly $110 in gas and 1 night of hotels and meals (about $140). Shipping a sedan costs about $800–$1,200. Over this distance driving usually costs less, if you can spare the day.
Which car shipping companies go from Illinois to South Carolina?
Our directory lists 82 companies based in Illinois and 15 based in South Carolina, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 190 that ship nationwide.