South Dakota to Illinois Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 712 miles from South Dakota to Illinois ranges from $776 to $1,107 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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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Illinois to South Dakota car shipping guide.

The best South Dakota to Illinois 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 Illinois:

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 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
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 South Dakota to Illinois

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 712 miles on your car going from South Dakota to Illinois. 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 Illinois, 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 Illinois 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 IL 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 Illinois. The average travel distance is about 712 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days .

Cost to ship a car from Sioux Falls, SD to Illinois

From South Dakota to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sioux Falls, SD to Chicago, IL $693 – $1,019 578 miles 1 – 6 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Aurora, IL $662 – $950 564 miles 1 – 6 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Joliet, IL $676 – $969 573 miles 1 – 6 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Naperville, IL $715 – $1,049 575 miles 1 – 6 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Rockford, IL $643 – $874 499 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Rapid City, SD to Illinois

From South Dakota to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Rapid City, SD to Chicago, IL $788 – $1,338 917 miles 2 – 7 days
Rapid City, SD to Aurora, IL $788 – $1,325 902 miles 2 – 7 days
Rapid City, SD to Joliet, IL $855 – $1,223 926 miles 2 – 7 days
Rapid City, SD to Naperville, IL $846 – $1,223 913 miles 2 – 7 days
Rapid City, SD to Rockford, IL $814 – $1,278 837 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Aberdeen, SD to Illinois

From South Dakota to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Aberdeen, SD to Chicago, IL $768 – $1,107 703 miles 1 – 6 days
Aberdeen, SD to Aurora, IL $749 – $1,084 689 miles 1 – 6 days
Aberdeen, SD to Joliet, IL $823 – $1,175 713 miles 1 – 6 days
Aberdeen, SD to Naperville, IL $784 – $1,186 700 miles 1 – 6 days
Aberdeen, SD to Rockford, IL $760 – $976 624 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Brookings, SD to Illinois

From South Dakota to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Brookings, SD to Chicago, IL $679 – $1,019 584 miles 1 – 6 days
Brookings, SD to Aurora, IL $711 – $988 570 miles 1 – 6 days
Brookings, SD to Joliet, IL $739 – $1,002 626 miles 1 – 6 days
Brookings, SD to Naperville, IL $693 – $979 581 miles 1 – 6 days
Brookings, SD to Rockford, IL $652 – $906 505 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Watertown, SD to Illinois

From South Dakota to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Watertown, SD to Chicago, IL $746 – $1,048 612 miles 1 – 6 days
Watertown, SD to Aurora, IL $693 – $949 598 miles 1 – 6 days
Watertown, SD to Joliet, IL $702 – $1,048 621 miles 1 – 6 days
Watertown, SD to Naperville, IL $702 – $1,079 609 miles 1 – 6 days
Watertown, SD to Rockford, IL $685 – $919 533 miles 1 – 6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to Illinois

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 Illinois you should expect to pay between $970 and $1,384.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from SD to IL

When transporting your vehicle from the Mount Rushmore State to the Land of Lincoln, 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 Illinois.
  • Distance and route: The journey from South Dakota to Illinois spans approximately 712 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 Illinois 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 Illinois should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Illinois vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance 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.
  • Vehicle inspection: 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.
  • Driver’s license: Even if your out-of-state driver's license is valid, you must still pass a vision test and written exam if you are moving to Illinois. Within 90 days of becoming a resident in the state, you must convert your license to an Illinois non-commercial license.
  • Additional taxes: According to Illinois law, the recipient or buyer of any vehicle transferred within the state must complete a Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction form (form RUT-50) and pay the sales tax for the car within 30 days of the transfer of ownership.

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 Illinois

About 22 million people are living in 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"

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Dakota and delivery in Illinois?

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 Illinois.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Dakota to Illinois, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Illinois, 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.

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.

How long does it take to ship a car from South Dakota to Illinois?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to Illinois is about 712 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from South Dakota to Illinois.

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 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.

If I have a driver’s license in South Dakota, will I need one in Illinois?

Even if your out-of-state driver's license is valid, you must still pass a vision test and written exam if you are moving to Illinois. Within 90 days of becoming a resident in the state, you must convert your license to an Illinois non-commercial license.

If I bought a car in South Dakota, will I be required to pay sales tax in Illinois after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Dakota to Illinois after purchasing it.

According to Illinois law, the recipient or buyer of any vehicle transferred within the state must complete a Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction form (form RUT-50) and pay the sales tax for the car within 30 days of the transfer of ownership.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Dakota and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.

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

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

Shipping a car from South Dakota to Illinois costs $776 to $1,107.

Helpful South Dakota resources