South Dakota to Maine Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,959 miles from South Dakota to Maine ranges from $1,298 to $1,892 and takes three–eleven 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 Maine to South Dakota car shipping guide.
The best South Dakota to Maine 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 Maine:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
- 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
Alternative ways to ship your car from South Dakota to Maine
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,959 miles on your car going from South Dakota to Maine. 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 Maine, 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 Maine 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 ME 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 Maine. The average travel distance is about 1,959 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to eleven days .
Cost to ship a car from Sioux Falls, SD to Maine
| From South Dakota to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Portland, ME | $1,199 – $1,760 | 1,660 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Lewiston, ME | $1,235 – $1,708 | 1,690 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Bangor, ME | $1,266 – $1,873 | 1,787 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to South Portland, ME | $1,151 – $1,674 | 1,660 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Auburn, ME | $1,235 – $1,794 | 1,689 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rapid City, SD to Maine
| From South Dakota to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD to Portland, ME | $1,337 – $2,010 | 1,998 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Lewiston, ME | $1,357 – $2,058 | 2,028 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Bangor, ME | $1,331 – $2,175 | 2,125 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Rapid City, SD to South Portland, ME | $1,350 – $1,892 | 1,998 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Auburn, ME | $1,383 – $1,976 | 2,026 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aberdeen, SD to Maine
| From South Dakota to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen, SD to Portland, ME | $1,179 – $1,765 | 1,785 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Lewiston, ME | $1,228 – $1,802 | 1,814 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Bangor, ME | $1,246 – $1,951 | 1,913 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to South Portland, ME | $1,191 – $1,729 | 1,785 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Auburn, ME | $1,228 – $1,954 | 1,814 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Brookings, SD to Maine
| From South Dakota to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings, SD to Portland, ME | $1,179 – $1,747 | 1,709 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Lewiston, ME | $1,216 – $1,747 | 1,738 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Bangor, ME | $1,318 – $1,954 | 1,836 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Brookings, SD to South Portland, ME | $1,278 – $1,783 | 1,709 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Auburn, ME | $1,253 – $1,765 | 1,737 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Watertown, SD to Maine
| From South Dakota to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown, SD to Portland, ME | $1,235 – $1,639 | 1,693 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Lewiston, ME | $1,253 – $1,801 | 1,723 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Bangor, ME | $1,305 – $1,878 | 1,821 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Watertown, SD to South Portland, ME | $1,235 – $1,639 | 1,694 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Auburn, ME | $1,228 – $1,891 | 1,722 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to Maine
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 Maine you should expect to pay between $1,623 and $2,365.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from SD to ME
When transporting your vehicle from the Mount Rushmore State to the Pine Tree 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 Maine.
- Distance and route: The journey from South Dakota to Maine spans approximately 1,959 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 Maine 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 Maine should take between three and eleven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Maine vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance requirements: In Maine, drivers must carry a minimum liability coverage of 50/100/25, requiring $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for all injuries per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, as per car insurance laws.
- Vehicle inspection: The State of Maine requires annual safety inspections for all vehicles used on public roads to ensure they are in proper working condition and safe to operate. Safety inspections in Maine can be carried out at any official service station of the Maine Department of Transportation.
- Driver’s license: New residents of Maine are required to obtain a new state license within 30 days of establishing residency. If you are moving to Maine and possess a valid or recently expired (within the past 5 years) out-of-state driver's license from another US state, you can obtain a Class C license, including a REAL ID license, by visiting a Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.
- Additional taxes: Maine requires registered car owners to pay an annual excise tax for motor vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, and stock vehicles. This tax is calculated by multiplying the current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the vehicle by the mileage rate.
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 Maine
About 22 million people are living in the Pine Tree State. Maine has a humid continental climate. with warm and sometimes humid summers, and long, cold and very snowy winters. Winters are especially severe in the Northern and Western parts of Maine, while coastal areas are moderated slightly by the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in marginally milder winters and cooler summers than inland regions.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Dakota and delivery in Maine?
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 Maine.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Dakota to Maine?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Dakota to Maine, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Maine, 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.
In Maine, drivers must carry a minimum liability coverage of 50/100/25, requiring $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for all injuries per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, as per car insurance laws.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Dakota to Maine?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to Maine is about 1,959 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from South Dakota to Maine.
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.
The State of Maine requires annual safety inspections for all vehicles used on public roads to ensure they are in proper working condition and safe to operate. Safety inspections in Maine can be carried out at any official service station of the Maine Department of Transportation.
If I have a driver’s license in South Dakota, will I need one in Maine?
New residents of Maine are required to obtain a new state license within 30 days of establishing residency. If you are moving to Maine and possess a valid or recently expired (within the past 5 years) out-of-state driver's license from another US state, you can obtain a Class C license, including a REAL ID license, by visiting a Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.
If I bought a car in South Dakota, will I be required to pay sales tax in Maine after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Dakota to Maine after purchasing it.
Maine requires registered car owners to pay an annual excise tax for motor vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, and stock vehicles. This tax is calculated by multiplying the current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the vehicle by the mileage rate.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Dakota and Maine to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Maine?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Maine 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 Maine?
Shipping a car from South Dakota to Maine costs $1,298 to $1,892.
