South Dakota to Kentucky Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,122 miles from South Dakota to Kentucky ranges from $904 to $1,373 and takes two–eight 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 Kentucky to South Dakota car shipping guide.
The best South Dakota to Kentucky 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 Kentucky:
- 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 Kentucky
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,122 miles on your car going from South Dakota to Kentucky. 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 Kentucky, 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 Kentucky 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 KY 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 Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 1,122 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .
Cost to ship a car from Sioux Falls, SD to Kentucky
| From South Dakota to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Louisville, KY | $775 – $1,243 | 853 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Lexington, KY | $837 – $1,335 | 928 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Bowling Green, KY | $818 – $1,221 | 884 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Owensboro, KY | $831 – $1,173 | 815 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Covington, KY | $824 – $1,169 | 853 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rapid City, SD to Kentucky
| From South Dakota to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD to Louisville, KY | $966 – $1,420 | 1,200 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Lexington, KY | $947 – $1,508 | 1,274 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Bowling Green, KY | $995 – $1,420 | 1,227 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Owensboro, KY | $877 – $1,415 | 1,158 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Covington, KY | $921 – $1,415 | 1,199 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aberdeen, SD to Kentucky
| From South Dakota to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen, SD to Louisville, KY | $825 – $1,280 | 997 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Lexington, KY | $797 – $1,262 | 1,071 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Bowling Green, KY | $813 – $1,314 | 1,084 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Owensboro, KY | $797 – $1,288 | 1,015 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Covington, KY | $858 – $1,228 | 995 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Brookings, SD to Kentucky
| From South Dakota to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings, SD to Louisville, KY | $804 – $1,234 | 906 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Brookings, SD to Lexington, KY | $858 – $1,306 | 981 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Brookings, SD to Bowling Green, KY | $812 – $1,259 | 937 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Brookings, SD to Owensboro, KY | $824 – $1,194 | 868 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Brookings, SD to Covington, KY | $804 – $1,209 | 905 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Watertown, SD to Kentucky
| From South Dakota to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown, SD to Louisville, KY | $845 – $1,297 | 905 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Watertown, SD to Lexington, KY | $776 – $1,241 | 979 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Watertown, SD to Bowling Green, KY | $825 – $1,241 | 984 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Watertown, SD to Owensboro, KY | $836 – $1,234 | 915 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Watertown, SD to Covington, KY | $795 – $1,284 | 904 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to Kentucky
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 Kentucky you should expect to pay between $1,130 and $1,716.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from SD to KY
When transporting your vehicle from the Mount Rushmore State to the Bluegrass 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 Kentucky.
- Distance and route: The journey from South Dakota to Kentucky spans approximately 1,122 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Kentucky vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance requirements: The insurance coverage includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability with limits of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and $25,000 respectively; Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (not required); Personal Injury Protection with a limit of $10,000; and optional Collision and Comprehensive coverage for vehicle repair or replacement expenses, with no requirement.
- Vehicle inspection: When moving to Kentucky from another state, a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection is required. To complete the VIN inspection, bring the vehicle and its title to the Sheriff's office in the county where the car will be registered.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
- Additional taxes: In Kentucky, a 6% motor vehicle usage tax is imposed on the retail price of vehicles registered for the first time in the state.
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 Kentucky
About 22 million people are living in the Bluegrass State. Kentucky has relatively hot, humid, rainy summers, and moderately cold and rainy winters. Kansas rarely experiences the extremes cold of the northern states nor the heat of the state in the Deep South.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Dakota and delivery in Kentucky?
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 Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Dakota to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Dakota to Kentucky, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Kentucky, 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 insurance coverage includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability with limits of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and $25,000 respectively; Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (not required); Personal Injury Protection with a limit of $10,000; and optional Collision and Comprehensive coverage for vehicle repair or replacement expenses, with no requirement.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Dakota to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to Kentucky is about 1,122 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from South Dakota to Kentucky.
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.
When moving to Kentucky from another state, a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection is required. To complete the VIN inspection, bring the vehicle and its title to the Sheriff's office in the county where the car will be registered.
If I have a driver’s license in South Dakota, will I need one in Kentucky?
New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
If I bought a car in South Dakota, will I be required to pay sales tax in Kentucky after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Dakota to Kentucky after purchasing it.
In Kentucky, a 6% motor vehicle usage tax is imposed on the retail price of vehicles registered for the first time in the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Dakota and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
Shipping a car from South Dakota to Kentucky costs $904 to $1,373.
