Route guide · IL → SC
Shipping a car from Illinois to South Carolina
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
- 124
City to city
What it costs between Illinois and South Carolina cities
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 |
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 carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Illinois and South Carolina, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Illinois
106 companies based in Illinois: 90 carriers, 14 brokers, 1,639 trucks in total, 8 years in business on average.
- Cassens Transport Company Edwardsville · 911 trucks · since 1974 · USDOT 124358
- Orgil Auto Transport Rosemont · 75 trucks · since 2010 · USDOT 2005112
- Americars Transportation Inc Aurora · 65 trucks · since 2016 · USDOT 2913704
- Windy City Auto Transportation LLC Hazel Crest · 61 trucks · since 2025 · USDOT 4367050
- American Auto Transport Inc Lombard · 57 trucks · since 2004 · USDOT 1291429
Delivery end South Carolina
18 companies based in South Carolina: 18 carriers, 0 brokers, 63 trucks in total, 7 years in business on average.
- Autobahn Express Inc Spartanburg · 8 trucks · since 2012 · USDOT 2355697
- Turbo Auto Carrier LLC Spartanburg · 7 trucks · since 2019 · USDOT 3283356
- Aka Logistics LLC Boiling Spgs · 6 trucks · since 2022 · USDOT 3912102
- Big Country Transport LLC Walterboro · 6 trucks · since 2010 · USDOT 2070832
- United Auto Transportation LLC Inman · 6 trucks · since 2011 · USDOT 2167832
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
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 106 companies based in Illinois and 18 based in South Carolina, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.