Route guide · PA → SC
Shipping a car from Pennsylvania to South Carolina
Shipping a running sedan from Philadelphia to Charleston costs about $700–$1,100 on an open carrier and $1,075–$1,650 in an enclosed trailer, with 2–4 days in transit. It ranks #190 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $900
- Road miles
- 670
- Days in transit
- 2–4
- People moving a year
- 10.4K
- Companies at both ends
- 156
City to city
What it costs between Pennsylvania and South Carolina cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie and Charleston, Columbia, Rock Hill and Greenville — 450 to 760 road miles apart.
| From | Charleston | Columbia | Rock Hill | Greenville |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $700–$1,100670 mi · 2–4 days | $675–$1,075610 mi · 2–3 days | $650–$1,025560 mi · 2–3 days | $700–$1,075630 mi · 2–3 days |
| Pittsburgh | $675–$1,075620 mi · 2–3 days | $650–$1,025530 mi · 2–3 days | $600–$975450 mi · 1–3 days | $625–$1,000480 mi · 1–3 days |
| Allentown | $725–$1,125700 mi · 2–4 days | $700–$1,075640 mi · 2–3 days | $675–$1,050580 mi · 2–3 days | $700–$1,100650 mi · 2–3 days |
| Erie | $750–$1,150760 mi · 2–4 days | $700–$1,100660 mi · 2–3 days | $675–$1,050590 mi · 2–3 days | $675–$1,075610 mi · 2–3 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
Philadelphia to Charleston, 670 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 | $700–$1,100 | $1,075–$1,650 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $800–$1,225 | $1,200–$1,850 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $900–$1,375 | $1,325–$2,075 |
| Pickup truck | $925–$1,425 | $1,375–$2,150 |
| Motorcycle | $425–$650 | $650–$1,000 |
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 Pennsylvania to South Carolina is February–May and September.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $900 Peak: about $1,075
About this route
Why so many cars go from Pennsylvania to South Carolina
About 10,405 people moved from Pennsylvania to South Carolina in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (13,419 in 2023, 7,391 in 2024). That is 4% of everyone who left Pennsylvania for another state.
Only about 3,238 people a year go back from South Carolina to Pennsylvania, 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 $900, shipping from Pennsylvania to South Carolina is one of the cheaper long moves out of Pennsylvania — Georgia ($975) and Florida ($1,125) cost more. That works out to about $1.34 a mile — short runs cost more per mile because the fixed cost of loading and unloading weighs more.
Distance and transit time
The 670-mile run from Philadelphia to Charleston takes 2–4 days on a carrier — short enough that driving yourself is a real option. The car heads south-southwest and stays on Eastern time the whole way.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Pennsylvania and South Carolina, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Pennsylvania
138 companies based in Pennsylvania: 128 carriers, 9 brokers, 899 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Brothers Auto Transport LLC Wind Gap · 92 trucks · since 1995 · USDOT 621208
- Adcock Transport Manheim · 85 trucks · since 1993 · USDOT 540755
- Rafael Auto Transport LLC Oakdale · 77 trucks · since 2021 · USDOT 3677616
- McGann & Chester Towing and Heavy Duty Pittsburgh · 61 trucks · since 1986 · USDOT 279905
- Fine Line Transportation LLC Lititz · 54 trucks · since 2011 · USDOT 2136888
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 Pennsylvania? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Pennsylvania to states near South Carolina
To South Carolina from states near Pennsylvania
FAQ
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to South Carolina?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $700–$1,100 from Philadelphia to Charleston (670 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $600–$1,150. An SUV costs about $800–$1,225, a pickup $925–$1,425, and an enclosed trailer $1,075–$1,650 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Pennsylvania to South Carolina?
Transit is usually 2–4 days after pickup for the 670-mile trip from Philadelphia 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to South Carolina?
Driving 670 miles takes about 2 days: roughly $90 in gas and 1 night of hotels and meals (about $140). Shipping a sedan costs about $700–$1,100. Over this distance driving usually costs less, if you can spare the day.
Which car shipping companies go from Pennsylvania to South Carolina?
Our directory lists 138 companies based in Pennsylvania and 18 based in South Carolina, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.