Best Charleston Car Shipping Companies (2024 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: When it comes to customer ratings, costs, and available services, SGT Auto Transport is the best car shipping company in Charleston, with a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
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Need an auto transport company in a different city? Check out the West Virginia car shipping page.
Why trust moveBuddha?
Our mission at moveBuddha is to make every aspect of moving easier, and we use our firsthand knowledge of the industry to simplify and streamline what can often be a stressful process.
Since moveBuddha’s foundation in 2015, our team has talked to thousands of consumers and analyzed 4,400 moving companies and 2,400 car shippers across the U.S. We’ve collected detailed car shipping experiences through our Better Moves project, and we routinely dig deep into online consumer reviews to identify the most common complaints and compliments companies receive.
We created our own system for analyzing and rating car shipping companies on important factors like pricing, variety of services, customer feedback, and availability. Our experienced editorial team fully fact-checks all content to ensure it is accurate, informative, and up-to-date.
Best car shipping companies in Charleston
Whether you’re shipping your car locally or out of West Virginia, these are the best auto transporting companies available in Charleston.
- SGT Auto Transport
- Easy Auto Ship
- Sherpa Auto Transport
- AmeriFreight
- Ship A Car Direct
- Diesel Auto Express
- American Auto Transport Inc.
- Jack Cooper Transport
- Ceva Logistics
- Xpress Auto Transport
MoveBuddha’s car shipping company reviews
For more in-depth information on each company, see our full company reviews:- A-1 Auto Transport Review
- All America Auto Transport Review
- American Auto Shipping Review
- Amerifreight Review
- Diesel Auto Express Review
- Easy Auto Ship Review
- Guardian Auto Transport Review
- Montway Auto Transport Review
- Mr. Car Shipper Review
- Nationwide Auto Transportation Review
- Nationwide United Auto Transport Review
- Nexus Auto Review
- Roadrunner Auto Review
- Sakaem Logistics Review
- SGT Auto Transport Review
- Sherpa Auto Transport Review
- Ship-a-Car Direct Review
- Shiply Review
- United Routes Review
- Victory Worldwide Transportation Review
Average car shipping costs in Charleston
The average cost to ship a car from Charleston to another state typically starts around $1,200, varying based on several local factors.
Below are some example rates for transporting a vehicle from Charleston, West Virginia, to a different state:
Route | Cost |
---|---|
West Virginia to Ohio | $593 – $851 |
West Virginia to Illinois | $929 – $1,236 |
West Virginia to Georgia | $858 – $1,298 |
West Virginia to Florida | $1,089 – $1,593 |
West Virginia to Michigan | $902 – $1,405 |
California to West Virginia | $1,749 – $2,595 |
Arizona to West Virginia | $1,590 – $2,414 |
Texas to West Virginia | $1,310 – $1,959 |
New York to West Virginia | $803 – $1,126 |
North Carolina to West Virginia | $689 – $923 |
Factors influencing car shipping costs from Charleston
- The distance of your move: Transporting your vehicle within Charleston or to another city in West Virginia can be more cost-effective than long-distance shipments across states.
- Urban vs. suburban locations: Shipping costs might differ if you’re moving the car from the bustling downtown of Charleston to a more suburban area.
- Type and condition of your vehicle: Compact cars generally cost less to transport than larger vehicles. Classic or luxury cars from Charleston might require special handling, increasing the price.
- Available shipping options in Charleston: You can choose from standard open-air transport to more secure enclosed shipping. While the former is more economical, the latter is advised for protecting against Charleston’s specific climate challenges.
- Fuel costs: Current local fuel prices can directly impact the cost of shipping. Keep an eye on Charleston’s fuel prices, especially if planning a long haul.
- Delivery urgency: Need your car quickly? Expedited or guaranteed delivery services from Charleston come at a premium.
- Seasonal factors and weather conditions: Charleston’s humid subtropical climate with hot summers and chilly winters may lead to increased demand for car shipping at optimal times, influencing costs. Weather conditions like snow or rain can also drive up expenses due to potential delays and insurance needs.
Tips for choosing the right Charleston, WV, car shipping company
- Compare prices. In Charleston, compare costs with a critical eye. Look for transparent pricing to avoid unexpected fees, ensuring that competitive rates do not undermine service quality. As a quick note, you should expect to pay around $1,100 in West Virginia.
- Review insurance and safety in Charleston. Choose Charleston companies with comprehensive insurance coverage and a strong focus on safety. Confirm their dedication to protecting your vehicle throughout its journey.
- Read customer reviews. Reading customer reviews in Charleston is critical because they reveal the company’s reliability, efficiency, and service quality. Honest feedback from past clients helps in making informed decisions.
- Research thoroughly. Thorough research in Charleston prevents falling victim to fraudulent car shipping companies and ensures reliable, safe service. Inadequate vetting risks delays, additional costs, and potential vehicle damage.
- Verify credentials. Ensure each company’s legitimacy by checking their licensing, insurance, and registration status. In Charleston, this step is crucial for safeguarding your vehicle and investment.
- Compare services and costs. Analyze the range of services offered by different companies in Charleston. Balance service quality against pricing, and be wary of unusually low rates that might indicate hidden costs or poor service.
- Ask about insurance coverage. Inquire specifically about the insurance coverage provided by companies in Charleston. Understand the extent of coverage and the process for making claims in case of damage during transit.
- Understand delivery timelines. Clarify expected pickup and delivery times. Companies in Charleston should offer realistic timelines and communicate any potential delays promptly.
- Check for customization options. Consider companies in Charleston that offer customizable options, such as door-to-door delivery or specific handling requirements for your vehicle.
- Seek personal recommendations. If possible, get personal referrals from friends or family in Charleston who have experience with car shipping companies. Firsthand experiences can be invaluable in making your decision.
FAQ
Can I track my vehicle’s shipment in real time in Charleston?
Yes, many car shipping companies in Charleston, West Virginia, offer real-time tracking services. Customers can often track their vehicle’s journey through the company’s website or a mobile app. You can see when your vehicle leaves Charleston, the estimated time of arrival, and any delays that might occur during transit.
What are the most efficient routes for shipping cars out of Charleston?
I-64. I-77. I-79.
How do I check the license status of a car shipping company?
You can check the license status of any Charleston car shipping company by looking up their motor carrier (MC) number on the USDOT’s website.
Do I need to have insurance or an inspection to ship my car out of Charleston?
If you’ve got an antique vehicle or a car worth a lot of money, some companies may require proof of insurance before taking your vehicle out of Charleston. While you probably won’t need an inspection before shipping your car out of West Virginia, it’s important to check local regulations once it’s in its final destination.
Take West Virginia regulations as an example. New residents have 10 days from when they title a vehicle to get a West Virginia safety inspection at an official inspection station licensed by the West Virginia State Police.
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.
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