Shipping Cost from Columbia, South Carolina to Shanghai

The cheapest international car shipping method is usually Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO), where vehicles are driven onto specialized ships, costing around $900-$2500+ but leaving cars exposed; for better protection, consolidated container shipping (sharing a container) is more affordable than dedicated containers, while air freight is the fastest but most expensive, best for luxury or rare vehicles, so compare RORO vs. shared containers for budget, destination, and vehicle value to find your cheapest option.

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, the cost difference shrinks, and shipping often becomes more cost-effective when factoring in gas, food, lodging, wear-and-tear, and time, making it worth paying a carrier to avoid the hassle and expense of a long solo trip, though driving saves on carrier fees but adds travel time and costs.

Shipping a car 3000 miles typically costs $1,200 to over $2,000, varying widely by carrier, time of year, and transport type, with open transport being cheaper ($1,250-$1,800) than enclosed ($1,600-$2,000+), but always get specific quotes as prices decrease per mile for longer hauls.