Iowa to South Dakota Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 469 miles from Iowa to South Dakota ranges from $648 to $847 and takes one–four 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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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our South Dakota to Iowa car shipping guide.

The best Iowa to South Dakota car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (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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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (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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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (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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Check prices (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
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  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Iowa to South Dakota

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 469 miles on your car going from Iowa 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 need to ship your car from Iowa for a move to South Dakota, 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 Iowa 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!

IA to SD auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Iowa and South Dakota. The average travel distance is about 469 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to South Dakota

From Iowa to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Des Moines, IA to Sioux Falls, SD $469 – $647 282 miles 1 – 4 days
Des Moines, IA to Rapid City, SD $730 – $1,011 625 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Aberdeen, SD $609 – $854 482 miles 1 – 4 days
Des Moines, IA to Brookings, SD $555 – $700 335 miles 1 – 4 days
Des Moines, IA to Watertown, SD $562 – $801 382 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to South Dakota

From Iowa to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cedar Rapids, IA to Sioux Falls, SD $575 – $732 352 miles 1 – 4 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Rapid City, SD $771 – $1,125 698 miles 1 – 6 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Aberdeen, SD $655 – $967 551 miles 1 – 6 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Brookings, SD $629 – $779 405 miles 1 – 4 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Watertown, SD $655 – $907 452 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to South Dakota

From Iowa to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Davenport, IA to Sioux Falls, SD $615 – $801 431 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Rapid City, SD $793 – $1,179 777 miles 2 – 7 days
Davenport, IA to Aberdeen, SD $715 – $1,063 631 miles 1 – 6 days
Davenport, IA to Brookings, SD $648 – $899 484 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Watertown, SD $644 – $927 531 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Sioux City, IA to South Dakota

From Iowa to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sioux City, IA to Sioux Falls, SD $292 – $444 85 miles 1 – 4 days
Sioux City, IA to Rapid City, SD $609 – $886 429 miles 1 – 4 days
Sioux City, IA to Aberdeen, SD $503 – $673 285 miles 1 – 4 days
Sioux City, IA to Brookings, SD $345 – $505 139 miles 1 – 4 days
Sioux City, IA to Watertown, SD $430 – $565 185 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Iowa City, IA to South Dakota

From Iowa to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Iowa City, IA to Sioux Falls, SD $603 – $793 379 miles 1 – 4 days
Iowa City, IA to Rapid City, SD $816 – $1,161 725 miles 1 – 6 days
Iowa City, IA to Aberdeen, SD $692 – $977 578 miles 1 – 6 days
Iowa City, IA to Brookings, SD $591 – $843 432 miles 1 – 4 days
Iowa City, IA to Watertown, SD $622 – $925 478 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to South Dakota

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 Iowa to South Dakota you should expect to pay between $810 and $1,059.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from IA to SD

When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye 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 Iowa to South Dakota spans approximately 469 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 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 Iowa to South Dakota should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

South Dakota vehicle regulations you need to know

  • 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 Iowa

More than 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 Dakota

About 22 million people are living in the Mount Rushmore State. 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 you ship a car for pickup in Iowa and delivery in South Dakota?

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

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to South Dakota?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa 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 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.

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 Iowa to South Dakota?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to South Dakota is about 469 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Iowa to South Dakota.

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.

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 Iowa, 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 Iowa, 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 Iowa 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 Iowa and South Dakota to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to South Dakota?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to South Dakota 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 Iowa to South Dakota?

Shipping a car from Iowa to South Dakota costs $648 to $847.

Helpful Iowa resources