South Dakota to Washington Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,241 miles from South Dakota to Washington ranges from $928 to $1,479 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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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Washington to South Dakota car shipping guide.

The best South Dakota to Washington 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 Washington:

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 overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
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  • 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
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

Alternative ways to ship your car from South Dakota to Washington

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,241 miles on your car going from South Dakota to Washington. 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 Washington, 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 Washington 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 WA 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 Washington. The average travel distance is about 1,241 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

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

From South Dakota to Washington Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sioux Falls, SD to Seattle, WA $1,060 – $1,642 1,477 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Spokane, WA $877 – $1,401 1,199 miles 2 – 8 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Tacoma, WA $1,114 – $1,626 1,491 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Vancouver, WA $1,082 – $1,594 1,554 miles 3 – 9 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Bellevue, WA $1,028 – $1,626 1,471 miles 3 – 8 days

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

From South Dakota to Washington Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Rapid City, SD to Seattle, WA $842 – $1,442 1,134 miles 2 – 8 days
Rapid City, SD to Spokane, WA $848 – $1,206 856 miles 2 – 7 days
Rapid City, SD to Tacoma, WA $859 – $1,442 1,148 miles 2 – 8 days
Rapid City, SD to Vancouver, WA $1,004 – $1,464 1,211 miles 2 – 8 days
Rapid City, SD to Bellevue, WA $859 – $1,318 1,128 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Aberdeen, SD to Washington

From South Dakota to Washington Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Aberdeen, SD to Seattle, WA $975 – $1,595 1,349 miles 3 – 8 days
Aberdeen, SD to Spokane, WA $781 – $1,262 1,071 miles 2 – 8 days
Aberdeen, SD to Tacoma, WA $985 – $1,487 1,363 miles 3 – 8 days
Aberdeen, SD to Vancouver, WA $1,039 – $1,578 1,426 miles 3 – 8 days
Aberdeen, SD to Bellevue, WA $1,025 – $1,472 1,343 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Brookings, SD to Washington

From South Dakota to Washington Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Brookings, SD to Seattle, WA $1,105 – $1,611 1,521 miles 3 – 9 days
Brookings, SD to Spokane, WA $937 – $1,449 1,243 miles 2 – 8 days
Brookings, SD to Tacoma, WA $1,139 – $1,627 1,534 miles 3 – 9 days
Brookings, SD to Vancouver, WA $1,093 – $1,594 1,598 miles 3 – 9 days
Brookings, SD to Bellevue, WA $1,173 – $1,676 1,515 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Watertown, SD to Washington

From South Dakota to Washington Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Watertown, SD to Seattle, WA $1,136 – $1,658 1,447 miles 3 – 8 days
Watertown, SD to Spokane, WA $904 – $1,373 1,169 miles 2 – 8 days
Watertown, SD to Tacoma, WA $1,039 – $1,515 1,460 miles 3 – 8 days
Watertown, SD to Vancouver, WA $1,196 – $1,611 1,524 miles 3 – 9 days
Watertown, SD to Bellevue, WA $1,136 – $1,515 1,441 miles 3 – 8 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to Washington

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 Washington you should expect to pay between $1,160 and $1,849.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from SD to WA

When transporting your vehicle from the Mount Rushmore State to the Evergreen 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 Washington.
  • Distance and route: The journey from South Dakota to Washington spans approximately 1,241 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 Washington 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 Washington should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Washington vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
  • Driver’s license: To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.
  • Additional taxes: If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.

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 Washington

About 22 million people are living in the Evergreen State. Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!

FAQ

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

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 Washington.

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

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

Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to Washington is about 1,241 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 Washington.

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 the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.

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

To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.

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

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

If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.

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

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

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

Shipping a car from South Dakota to Washington costs $928 to $1,479.

Helpful South Dakota resources