South Carolina to Rhode Island Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 885 miles from South Carolina to Rhode Island ranges from $863 to $1,225 and takes two–seven days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Rhode Island to South Carolina car shipping guide.

The best South Carolina to Rhode Island car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from South Carolina to Rhode Island:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
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  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (224) 206-5633
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  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
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Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Get a quote (770) 501-9057
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  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Get a quote (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (864) 492-1221
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  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Get a quote (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Get a quote (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from South Carolina to Rhode Island

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 885 miles on your car going from South Carolina to Rhode Island. 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 need to ship your car from South Carolina for a move to Rhode Island, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from South Carolina to Rhode Island 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!

SC to RI auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in South Carolina and Rhode Island. The average travel distance is about 885 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days .

Cost to ship a car from Charleston, SC to Rhode Islandtoggle

From South Carolina to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Charleston, SC to Providence, RI $882 – $1,302 940 miles 2 – 7 days
Charleston, SC to Warwick, RI $840 – $1,263 931 miles 2 – 7 days
Charleston, SC to Cranston, RI $865 – $1,315 943 miles 2 – 7 days
Charleston, SC to Pawtucket, RI $815 – $1,354 942 miles 2 – 7 days
Charleston, SC to East Providence, RI $865 – $1,341 946 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Columbia, SC to Rhode Islandtoggle

From South Carolina to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Columbia, SC to Providence, RI $805 – $1,212 885 miles 2 – 7 days
Columbia, SC to Warwick, RI $838 – $1,288 878 miles 2 – 7 days
Columbia, SC to Cranston, RI $880 – $1,339 882 miles 2 – 7 days
Columbia, SC to Pawtucket, RI $880 – $1,339 897 miles 2 – 7 days
Columbia, SC to East Providence, RI $821 – $1,301 885 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from North Charleston, SC to Rhode Islandtoggle

From South Carolina to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
North Charleston, SC to Providence, RI $882 – $1,315 930 miles 2 – 7 days
North Charleston, SC to Warwick, RI $882 – $1,315 923 miles 2 – 7 days
North Charleston, SC to Cranston, RI $831 – $1,276 926 miles 2 – 7 days
North Charleston, SC to Pawtucket, RI $873 – $1,367 935 miles 2 – 7 days
North Charleston, SC to East Providence, RI $882 – $1,263 930 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Mount Pleasant, SC to Rhode Islandtoggle

From South Carolina to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Mount Pleasant, SC to Providence, RI $823 – $1,328 940 miles 2 – 7 days
Mount Pleasant, SC to Warwick, RI $873 – $1,237 933 miles 2 – 7 days
Mount Pleasant, SC to Cranston, RI $873 – $1,315 937 miles 2 – 7 days
Mount Pleasant, SC to Pawtucket, RI $823 – $1,328 944 miles 2 – 7 days
Mount Pleasant, SC to East Providence, RI $840 – $1,237 941 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Rock Hill, SC to Rhode Islandtoggle

From South Carolina to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Rock Hill, SC to Providence, RI $823 – $1,294 832 miles 2 – 7 days
Rock Hill, SC to Warwick, RI $823 – $1,207 825 miles 2 – 7 days
Rock Hill, SC to Cranston, RI $790 – $1,294 828 miles 2 – 7 days
Rock Hill, SC to Pawtucket, RI $840 – $1,194 835 miles 2 – 7 days
Rock Hill, SC to East Providence, RI $823 – $1,207 832 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from South Carolina to Rhode Islandtoggle

Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Rhode Island you should expect to pay between $1,079 and $1,531.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from SC to RI

When transporting your vehicle from the Palmetto State to the Ocean 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 Rhode Island.
  • Distance and route: The journey from South Carolina to Rhode Island spans approximately 885 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Rhode Island vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
  • Driver’s license: If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
  • Additional taxes: When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from South Carolina

More than 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 Rhode Island

About 22 million people are living in the Ocean State. Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Carolina and delivery in Rhode Island?toggle

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in South Carolina and when dropping it off in Rhode Island.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Carolina to Rhode Island?toggle

If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Carolina to Rhode Island, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Rhode Island, 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.

When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.

How long does it take to ship a car from South Carolina to Rhode Island?toggle

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Carolina to Rhode Island is about 885 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from South Carolina to Rhode Island.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?toggle

Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.

All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.

If I have a driver’s license in South Carolina, will I need one in Rhode Island?toggle

If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.

If I bought a car in South Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in Rhode Island after shipping it there?toggle

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Carolina to Rhode Island after purchasing it.

When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Carolina and Rhode Island to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Rhode Island?toggle

The cheapest way to ship a car from South Carolina to Rhode Island is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.

How much does it cost to ship a car from South Carolina to Rhode Island?toggle

Shipping a car from South Carolina to Rhode Island costs $863 to $1,225.

Helpful South Carolina resources