Illinois to South Dakota Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 729 miles from Illinois to South Dakota ranges from $778 to $1,175 and takes one–six 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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  • Established in 2007
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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

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

The best Illinois 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 Illinois to South Dakota:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • 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
At A Glance
  • 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 quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (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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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • 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
At A Glance
  • 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

Alternative ways to ship your car from Illinois to South Dakota

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 729 miles on your car going from Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois 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!

IL 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 Illinois and South Dakota. The average travel distance is about 729 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days .

Cost to ship a car from Chicago, IL to South Dakota

From Illinois to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Chicago, IL to Sioux Falls, SD $662 – $950 574 miles 1 – 6 days
Chicago, IL to Rapid City, SD $830 – $1,325 912 miles 2 – 7 days
Chicago, IL to Aberdeen, SD $780 – $1,117 698 miles 1 – 6 days
Chicago, IL to Brookings, SD $760 – $986 623 miles 1 – 6 days
Chicago, IL to Watertown, SD $738 – $1,007 608 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Aurora, IL to South Dakota

From Illinois to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Aurora, IL to Sioux Falls, SD $669 – $1,008 564 miles 1 – 6 days
Aurora, IL to Rapid City, SD $855 – $1,249 902 miles 2 – 7 days
Aurora, IL to Aberdeen, SD $772 – $1,117 688 miles 1 – 6 days
Aurora, IL to Brookings, SD $731 – $1,079 613 miles 1 – 6 days
Aurora, IL to Watertown, SD $686 – $1,009 598 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Joliet, IL to South Dakota

From Illinois to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Joliet, IL to Sioux Falls, SD $693 – $1,029 590 miles 1 – 6 days
Joliet, IL to Rapid City, SD $797 – $1,223 933 miles 2 – 7 days
Joliet, IL to Aberdeen, SD $768 – $1,163 721 miles 1 – 6 days
Joliet, IL to Brookings, SD $709 – $1,055 643 miles 1 – 6 days
Joliet, IL to Watertown, SD $724 – $1,086 631 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Naperville, IL to South Dakota

From Illinois to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Naperville, IL to Sioux Falls, SD $711 – $920 574 miles 1 – 6 days
Naperville, IL to Rapid City, SD $830 – $1,223 912 miles 2 – 7 days
Naperville, IL to Aberdeen, SD $780 – $1,161 699 miles 1 – 6 days
Naperville, IL to Brookings, SD $694 – $997 623 miles 1 – 6 days
Naperville, IL to Watertown, SD $753 – $1,007 608 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Rockford, IL to South Dakota

From Illinois to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Rockford, IL to Sioux Falls, SD $672 – $869 500 miles 1 – 6 days
Rockford, IL to Rapid City, SD $797 – $1,266 838 miles 2 – 7 days
Rockford, IL to Aberdeen, SD $776 – $1,086 625 miles 1 – 6 days
Rockford, IL to Brookings, SD $685 – $957 549 miles 1 – 6 days
Rockford, IL to Watertown, SD $658 – $966 534 miles 1 – 6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Illinois 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 Illinois to South Dakota you should expect to pay between $973 and $1,469.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from IL to SD

When transporting your vehicle from the Land of Lincoln 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 Illinois to South Dakota spans approximately 729 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 Illinois, 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 Illinois 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 Illinois to South Dakota should take between one and six 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 Illinois

More than 39 million people call Illinois home. Nicknamed the Land of Lincoln, Illinois' climate is clearly different in the northern and southern halves of the state. The northern half experiences cold winters and mild summers whereas the southern half experiences mild winters and hot and humid summers. Illinois is a part of "tornado alley"

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 Illinois 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 Illinois and when dropping it off in South Dakota.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Illinois 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 Illinois.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The liability insurance minimums for Illinois are $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $20,000 property damage liability per 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 Illinois to South Dakota?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Illinois to South Dakota is about 729 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Illinois to South Dakota.

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

In Illinois, emissions inspections are mandatory on a yearly basis for eligible vehicles in the Chicago and East St. Louis metropolitan areas. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency conducts tests on automobiles before residents can renew their vehicle registration with the Secretary of State's office.

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Illinois to South Dakota costs $778 to $1,175.

Helpful Illinois resources