Charlotte to Charleston, SC
Car Shipping Between Charlotte and Charleston, SC
Charlotte to Charleston, SC runs I-77 down to Columbia and then I-26 to the coast, crossing South Carolina from the Piedmont to the Lowcountry.
- I-77 to Columbia, I-26 to the coast
- Peninsula, Mount Pleasant and Summerville
- Pickup window confirmed before dispatch
From the Piedmont to the Lowcountry
The truck leaves Charlotte on I-77 south, passes Rock Hill and Chester, and reaches Columbia. There it turns onto I-26 east, past Orangeburg and down through Summerville into North Charleston.
Charleston deliveries go all over the Lowcountry: the downtown peninsula, West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, Goose Creek and Summerville. Streets on the peninsula are narrow and parking is tight, so a big hauler cannot always pull up to the door downtown. Tell us the address and the carrier will plan a spot nearby where the car can come off the trailer.
Who ships to and from Charleston
People moving to the coast. Most Charleston orders from Charlotte are relocations: a new job, a retirement move, or a second home where an extra car makes sense. We also ship cars for students at the College of Charleston, The Citadel and MUSC, and for service members and families moving to or from Joint Base Charleston.
Dealers. Lowcountry stores trade with Charlotte-area lots, and Charlotte stores deliver sold cars to buyers on the coast. Auction buys move down I-26 too. Dealers can put several units on one order and keep the same contact on every one.
Booking the Charleston run
Call or use the form with the Charlotte address, the Charleston address, the car and its condition. Someone on our desk writes the quote. When you book, we vet the carrier, confirm the driver and truck, and set the pickup window and the expected delivery window before the truck heads down I-77.
From there you can follow the order in the client portal at fctorders.com. There is no password, just your email and a 6-digit code. You see the driver's location while they are on the road, and the delivery BOL is there after the car is checked in. If anything changes on the way to the coast, we tell you before you find out another way.
Open or enclosed to the coast
An open trailer is the usual choice for a daily driver headed to Charleston. Classic, exotic and high-value cars going to a coastal home often ride enclosed. Non-running cars can be moved, but they need different equipment, so say so when you ask for the quote.
FCT moves between Charlotte and Charleston
Real numbers from our delivered orders between Charlotte and Charleston this year, both directions.
- 20cars delivered in 2026, through October
- 7for dealerships, 13 for individuals
- 1shipped enclosed
Most common vehicles: 16 SUVs, 4 sedans.
From FCT's own delivered orders. Totals only; no customer details are shown.
Charleston questions
Can you deliver on the downtown peninsula?
Yes, but a full-size hauler may not fit on every downtown street. Give us the address and the carrier plans a nearby spot where the car can be unloaded.
Can a car go to Columbia on the way?
Yes. Columbia is where the truck turns from I-77 onto I-26, so a stop there fits the route.
Do you ship cars for military moves to Joint Base Charleston?
Yes. Send the pickup, the drop-off and when you need the car, and we line up a vetted carrier.
Do dealers use this lane too?
Yes. Lowcountry and Charlotte stores trade units both ways, and auction buys move on it as well.
Related pages
Shipping inside South Carolina from somewhere other than Charlotte? See South Carolina vehicle shipping. For the first half of this trip on its own, see Charlotte to Columbia. Moving house? Read reasons to ship your car during a move.