South Carolina to Kentucky Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 426 miles from South Carolina to Kentucky ranges from $771 to $985 and takes 1–4 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to South Carolina car shipping guide.
South Carolina to Kentucky auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in South Carolina and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 426 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 4 days.
Cost to ship a car from Charleston, SC to Kentucky
| From South Carolina to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Louisville, KY | 616 miles | $923–$1,174 | 1–6 days |
| Columbia, SC to Lexington, KY | 542 miles | $808–$1,139 | 1–6 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Bardstown, KY | 566 miles | $838–$1,212 | 1–6 days |
| Greenville, SC to Fort Campbell North, KY | 608 miles | $905–$1,260 | 1–6 days |
| Spartanburg, SC to Somerset, KY | 478 miles | $796–$1,104 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, SC to Kentucky
| From South Carolina to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Louisville, KY | 507 miles | $808–$1,143 | 1–6 days |
| Columbia, SC to Lexington, KY | 432 miles | $711–$985 | 1–4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Bardstown, KY | 457 miles | $728–$999 | 1–4 days |
| Greenville, SC to Fort Campbell North, KY | 499 miles | $819–$1,029 | 1–4 days |
| Spartanburg, SC to Somerset, KY | 369 miles | $693–$928 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rock Hill, SC to Kentucky
| From South Carolina to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Louisville, KY | 478 miles | $788–$1,104 | 1–4 days |
| Columbia, SC to Lexington, KY | 404 miles | $758–$1,048 | 1–4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Bardstown, KY | 428 miles | $771–$1,067 | 1–4 days |
| Greenville, SC to Fort Campbell North, KY | 470 miles | $766–$1,093 | 1–4 days |
| Spartanburg, SC to Somerset, KY | 341 miles | $637–$879 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Greenville, SC to Kentucky
| From South Carolina to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Louisville, KY | 412 miles | $743–$1,028 | 1–4 days |
| Columbia, SC to Lexington, KY | 337 miles | $624–$932 | 1–4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Bardstown, KY | 362 miles | $706–$901 | 1–4 days |
| Greenville, SC to Fort Campbell North, KY | 404 miles | $707–$978 | 1–4 days |
| Spartanburg, SC to Somerset, KY | 274 miles | $572–$728 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Spartanburg, SC to Kentucky
| From South Carolina to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Louisville, KY | 418 miles | $765–$1,028 | 1–4 days |
| Columbia, SC to Lexington, KY | 344 miles | $617–$906 | 1–4 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to Bardstown, KY | 368 miles | $659–$975 | 1–4 days |
| Greenville, SC to Fort Campbell North, KY | 410 miles | $721–$1,048 | 1–4 days |
| Spartanburg, SC to Somerset, KY | 281 miles | $577–$827 | 1–4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Carolina to Kentucky
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from South Carolina to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $964 and $1,231.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from South Carolina to Kentucky
When transporting your vehicle from the Palmetto State to the Bluegrass State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- 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 Kentucky.
- Distance and route: The journey from South Carolina to Kentucky spans approximately 426 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of South Carolina, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between South Carolina and Kentucky and the varying gas prices across the country.
- 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 Carolina to Kentucky should take between 1 and 4 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best South Carolina to Kentucky car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from South Carolina to Kentucky:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from South Carolina to Kentucky
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 426 miles on your car going from South Carolina to Kentucky. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from South Carolina to Kentucky for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from South Carolina to Kentucky?
- Car insurance requirements: The insurance coverage includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability with limits of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and $25,000 respectively; Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (not required); Personal Injury Protection with a limit of $10,000; and optional Collision and Comprehensive coverage for vehicle repair or replacement expenses, with no requirement.
- Vehicle inspection: When moving to Kentucky from another state, a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection is required. To complete the VIN inspection, bring the vehicle and its title to the Sheriff's office in the county where the car will be registered.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
- Additional taxes: In Kentucky, a 6% motor vehicle usage tax is imposed on the retail price of vehicles registered for the first time in the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from South Carolina
Over 39 million people call South Carolina home. Nicknamed 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.
Transporting your vehicle to Kentucky
About 22 million people are living in the Bluegrass State of Kentucky. Kentucky has relatively hot, humid, rainy summers, and moderately cold and rainy winters. Kansas rarely experiences the extremes cold of the northern states nor the heat of the state in the Deep South.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in South Carolina and when dropping off my car in Kentucky?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in South Carolina and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Carolina to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Carolina to Kentucky, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Kentucky, which you should verify before loading your car in South Carolina.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The insurance coverage includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability with limits of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and $25,000 respectively; Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (not required); Personal Injury Protection with a limit of $10,000; and optional Collision and Comprehensive coverage for vehicle repair or replacement expenses, with no requirement.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Carolina to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Carolina to Kentucky is about 426 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take 1-4 days to travel from South Carolina to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.
When moving to Kentucky from another state, a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection is required. To complete the VIN inspection, bring the vehicle and its title to the Sheriff's office in the county where the car will be registered.
If I have a driver’s license in South Carolina, will I need one in Kentucky?
New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
If I bought a car in South Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in Kentucky after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Carolina to Kentucky after purchasing it.
In Kentucky, a 6% motor vehicle usage tax is imposed on the retail price of vehicles registered for the first time in the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Carolina and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
