Iowa to South Carolina Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,086 miles from Iowa to South Carolina ranges from $1,029 to $1,504 and takes 2–8 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 South Carolina to Iowa car shipping guide.
Iowa to South Carolina auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Iowa and South Carolina. The average travel distance is about 1,086 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to South Carolina
| From Iowa to South Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Charleston, SC | 1,200 miles | $1,211–$1,782 | 2–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Columbia, SC | 1,091 miles | $950–$1,631 | 2–8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Rock Hill, SC | 1,063 miles | $1,010–$1,600 | 2–8 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Greenville, SC | 996 miles | $1,004–$1,573 | 2–7 days |
| Boone, IA to Spartanburg, SC | 1,003 miles | $940–$1,504 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to South Carolina
| From Iowa to South Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Charleston, SC | 1,114 miles | $1,035–$1,704 | 2–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Columbia, SC | 1,005 miles | $1,000–$1,536 | 2–8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Rock Hill, SC | 977 miles | $1,024–$1,620 | 2–7 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Greenville, SC | 910 miles | $958–$1,471 | 2–7 days |
| Boone, IA to Spartanburg, SC | 917 miles | $978–$1,532 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to South Carolina
| From Iowa to South Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Charleston, SC | 1,034 miles | $1,019–$1,568 | 2–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Columbia, SC | 925 miles | $1,018–$1,532 | 2–7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Rock Hill, SC | 897 miles | $996–$1,576 | 2–7 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Greenville, SC | 830 miles | $988–$1,404 | 2–7 days |
| Boone, IA to Spartanburg, SC | 836 miles | $949–$1,537 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norwalk, IA to South Carolina
| From Iowa to South Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Charleston, SC | 1,214 miles | $1,211–$1,764 | 2–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Columbia, SC | 1,104 miles | $1,046–$1,755 | 2–8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Rock Hill, SC | 1,076 miles | $990–$1,568 | 2–8 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Greenville, SC | 1,009 miles | $960–$1,568 | 2–8 days |
| Boone, IA to Spartanburg, SC | 1,016 miles | $1,010–$1,600 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Boone, IA to South Carolina
| From Iowa to South Carolina | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Charleston, SC | 1,227 miles | $1,117–$1,817 | 2–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Columbia, SC | 1,118 miles | $1,110–$1,637 | 2–8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Rock Hill, SC | 1,090 miles | $960–$1,600 | 2–8 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Greenville, SC | 1,023 miles | $1,010–$1,504 | 2–8 days |
| Boone, IA to Spartanburg, SC | 1,030 miles | $1,010–$1,647 | 2–8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to South Carolina
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 Iowa to South Carolina you should expect to pay between $1,286 and $1,880.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Iowa to South Carolina
When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Palmetto 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 South Carolina.
- Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to South Carolina spans approximately 1,086 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 Iowa, 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 Iowa and South Carolina 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 Iowa to South Carolina should take between 2 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Iowa to South Carolina 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 Iowa to South Carolina:
- 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 Iowa to South Carolina
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,086 miles on your car going from Iowa to South Carolina. 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 Iowa to South Carolina 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 Iowa to South Carolina?
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.
- Driver’s license: If you are moving to South Carolina, you will be required to obtain a South Carolina driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: In South Carolina, there is a sales tax imposed on the purchase of a vehicle. The sales tax rate is 6%, which is collected by the dealer at the time of purchase.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Iowa
Over 39 million people call Iowa home. Nicknamed the Hawkeye State, Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state. Snowfall is common in Iowa. Spring brings in severe weather season. Iowa has about 50 thunderstorm days per year and has a tornado season. Iowa is known for hot and humid summers. Be sure to check the weather before your move, especially during the springtime.
Transporting your vehicle to South Carolina
About 22 million people are living in the Palmetto State of South Carolina. 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Iowa and when dropping off my car in South Carolina?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Iowa and when dropping it off in South Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to South Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to South Carolina, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to South Carolina, which you should verify before loading your car in Iowa.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Iowa requires minimum liability insurance, covering $20,000 for individual injury or death, $40,000 for multiple individuals, and $15,000 for property damage in an accident.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to South Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to South Carolina is about 1086 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-8 days to travel from Iowa to South Carolina.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.
If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in South Carolina?
If you are moving to South Carolina, you will be required to obtain a South Carolina driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in South Carolina after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to South Carolina after purchasing it.
In South Carolina, there is a sales tax imposed on the purchase of a vehicle. The sales tax rate is 6%, which is collected by the dealer at the time of purchase.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and South Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
