California to South Dakota Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,635 miles from California to South Dakota ranges from $1,412 to $2,200 and takes 3–9 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 Dakota to California car shipping guide.
California to South Dakota auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and South Dakota. The average travel distance is about 1,635 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 9 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to South Dakota
| From California to South Dakota | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD | 1,634 miles | $1,412–$2,095 | 3–9 days |
| San Diego, CA to Spearfish, SD | 1,287 miles | $1,176–$1,799 | 3–8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Box Elder, SD | 1,341 miles | $1,185–$1,847 | 3–8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Vermillion, SD | 1,574 miles | $1,385–$2,039 | 3–9 days |
| Fresno, CA to Brandon, SD | 1,681 miles | $1,499–$2,200 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to South Dakota
| From California to South Dakota | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD | 1,703 miles | $1,477–$2,099 | 3–9 days |
| San Diego, CA to Spearfish, SD | 1,354 miles | $1,185–$1,922 | 3–8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Box Elder, SD | 1,407 miles | $1,290–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Vermillion, SD | 1,640 miles | $1,455–$2,011 | 3–9 days |
| Fresno, CA to Brandon, SD | 1,748 miles | $1,552–$2,296 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to South Dakota
| From California to South Dakota | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD | 1,781 miles | $1,507–$2,274 | 3–11 days |
| San Diego, CA to Spearfish, SD | 1,391 miles | $1,223–$1,865 | 3–8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Box Elder, SD | 1,445 miles | $1,396–$1,920 | 3–8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Vermillion, SD | 1,722 miles | $1,492–$2,208 | 3–9 days |
| Fresno, CA to Brandon, SD | 1,785 miles | $1,507–$2,143 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to South Dakota
| From California to South Dakota | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD | 1,749 miles | $1,522–$2,186 | 3–9 days |
| San Diego, CA to Spearfish, SD | 1,359 miles | $1,198–$1,847 | 3–8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Box Elder, SD | 1,412 miles | $1,369–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Vermillion, SD | 1,690 miles | $1,470–$2,053 | 3–9 days |
| Fresno, CA to Brandon, SD | 1,754 miles | $1,567–$2,143 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to South Dakota
| From California to South Dakota | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD | 1,760 miles | $1,522–$2,230 | 3–11 days |
| San Diego, CA to Spearfish, SD | 1,412 miles | $1,329–$1,900 | 3–8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Box Elder, SD | 1,465 miles | $1,343–$1,998 | 3–8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Vermillion, SD | 1,698 miles | $1,441–$2,116 | 3–9 days |
| Fresno, CA to Brandon, SD | 1,806 miles | $1,569–$2,211 | 3–11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to South Dakota
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 California to South Dakota you should expect to pay between $1,765 and $2,750.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to South Dakota
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Mount Rushmore 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 Dakota.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to South Dakota spans approximately 1,635 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 California, 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 California and South Dakota 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 California to South Dakota should take between 3 and 9 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to South Dakota 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 California to South Dakota:
- 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 California to South Dakota
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,635 miles on your car going from California to South Dakota. 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 California to South Dakota 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 California to South Dakota?
- Car insurance requirements: In South Dakota, drivers must show proof of financial responsibility, typically met through car insurance. Key coverage includes: Bodily Injury Liability (25/50/25): $25,000/person, $50,000/accident for injuries. Property Damage Liability (25/50/25): $25,000/accident for property damage. Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM): Required for personal injuries caused by uninsured drivers or hit-and-runs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM): Covers personal injuries from motorists with insufficient insurance. Note: Coverages are not stackable; they operate independently.
- Vehicle inspection: South Dakota does not have a mandatory vehicle inspection program for passenger vehicles. However, commercial vehicles and buses are required to pass annual inspections. If you are a new resident of South Dakota, you are required to obtain a South Dakota driver's license within 90 days of becoming a resident.
- Driver’s license: If you are a new resident of South Dakota, you are required to obtain a South Dakota driver's license within 90 days of becoming a resident.
- Additional taxes: When moving to South Dakota, you will need to register your vehicle with the South Dakota Department of Revenue within 90 days. You will need to provide proof of insurance, the vehicle title, pay a fee based on the vehicle's value, 4% sales tax, and $5 per wheel wheel tax.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from California
Over 39 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State, California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
Transporting your vehicle to South Dakota
About 22 million people are living in the Mount Rushmore State of South Dakota. In South Dakota, drivers are required to have liability insurance coverage with at least the following minimum limits: $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person in an accident, $50,000 for total bodily injury or death per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in South Dakota?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in South Dakota.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to South Dakota?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to South Dakota, 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 Dakota, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In South Dakota, drivers must show proof of financial responsibility, typically met through car insurance. Key coverage includes: Bodily Injury Liability (25/50/25): $25,000/person, $50,000/accident for injuries. Property Damage Liability (25/50/25): $25,000/accident for property damage. Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM): Required for personal injuries caused by uninsured drivers or hit-and-runs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM): Covers personal injuries from motorists with insufficient insurance. Note: Coverages are not stackable; they operate independently.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to South Dakota?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to South Dakota is about 1635 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-9 days to travel from California to South Dakota.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
South Dakota does not have a mandatory vehicle inspection program for passenger vehicles. However, commercial vehicles and buses are required to pass annual inspections. If you are a new resident of South Dakota, you are required to obtain a South Dakota driver's license within 90 days of becoming a resident.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in South Dakota?
If you are a new resident of South Dakota, you are required to obtain a South Dakota driver's license within 90 days of becoming a resident.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in South Dakota after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to South Dakota after purchasing it.
When moving to South Dakota, you will need to register your vehicle with the South Dakota Department of Revenue within 90 days. You will need to provide proof of insurance, the vehicle title, pay a fee based on the vehicle's value, 4% sales tax, and $5 per wheel wheel tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and South Dakota to avoid any hidden costs.
