South Dakota to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 469 miles from South Dakota to Iowa ranges from $642 to $829 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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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to South Dakota car shipping guide.
The best South Dakota to Iowa car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from South Dakota to Iowa:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No upfront payment
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Competitive pricing
- Door-to-door shipping
- Competitive pricing
- Last-minute car shipments
- Guaranteed & expedited shipments
- Gap insurance coverage
- Multiple discounts
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
Alternative ways to ship your car from South Dakota to Iowa
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 469 miles on your car going from South Dakota to Iowa. 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 South Dakota for a move to Iowa, 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 South Dakota to Iowa 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!
SD to IA auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in South Dakota and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 469 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .
Cost to ship a car from Sioux Falls, SD to Iowa
| From South Dakota to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Des Moines, IA | $474 – $653 | 283 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Cedar Rapids, IA | $541 – $732 | 352 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Davenport, IA | $603 – $810 | 434 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Sioux City, IA | $281 – $476 | 86 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Iowa City, IA | $609 – $777 | 380 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rapid City, SD to Iowa
| From South Dakota to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD to Des Moines, IA | $722 – $1,000 | 625 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Cedar Rapids, IA | $786 – $1,082 | 698 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Davenport, IA | $841 – $1,238 | 780 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Sioux City, IA | $621 – $877 | 428 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Iowa City, IA | $792 – $1,093 | 726 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aberdeen, SD to Iowa
| From South Dakota to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen, SD to Des Moines, IA | $641 – $907 | 482 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Cedar Rapids, IA | $710 – $938 | 551 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Davenport, IA | $708 – $1,094 | 633 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Sioux City, IA | $483 – $647 | 285 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Iowa City, IA | $734 – $938 | 578 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Brookings, SD to Iowa
| From South Dakota to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings, SD to Des Moines, IA | $523 – $730 | 336 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Brookings, SD to Cedar Rapids, IA | $581 – $795 | 405 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Brookings, SD to Davenport, IA | $622 – $846 | 487 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Brookings, SD to Sioux City, IA | $345 – $510 | 139 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Brookings, SD to Iowa City, IA | $621 – $835 | 432 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Watertown, SD to Iowa
| From South Dakota to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown, SD to Des Moines, IA | $591 – $777 | 383 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Watertown, SD to Cedar Rapids, IA | $598 – $864 | 452 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Watertown, SD to Davenport, IA | $637 – $973 | 533 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Watertown, SD to Sioux City, IA | $405 – $576 | 185 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Watertown, SD to Iowa City, IA | $616 – $925 | 479 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to Iowa
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 South Dakota to Iowa you should expect to pay between $803 and $1,036.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from SD to IA
When transporting your vehicle from the Mount Rushmore State to the Hawkeye 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 Iowa.
- Distance and route: The journey from South Dakota to Iowa 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 South Dakota, 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 South Dakota and Iowa 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 South Dakota to Iowa should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Iowa vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
- Driver’s license: New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain an Iowa license within 30 days of establishing permanent residency. To do so, visit the DMV with your former state license, as it will need to be surrendered for the new license.
- Additional taxes: In Iowa, sales of vehicles requiring registration are exempt from sales tax but subject to a 5% fee for new registration.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from South Dakota
More than 39 million people call South Dakota home. Nicknamed 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.
Transporting your vehicle to Iowa
About 22 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Dakota and delivery in Iowa?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in South Dakota and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Dakota to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Dakota to Iowa, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Iowa, which you should verify before loading your car in South Dakota.
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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Dakota to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to Iowa 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 South Dakota to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in South Dakota, will I need one in Iowa?
New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain an Iowa license within 30 days of establishing permanent residency. To do so, visit the DMV with your former state license, as it will need to be surrendered for the new license.
If I bought a car in South Dakota, will I be required to pay sales tax in Iowa after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Dakota to Iowa after purchasing it.
In Iowa, sales of vehicles requiring registration are exempt from sales tax but subject to a 5% fee for new registration.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Dakota and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Iowa?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Iowa 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 South Dakota to Iowa?
Shipping a car from South Dakota to Iowa costs $642 to $829.
