Tennessee to South Dakota Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,141 miles from Tennessee to South Dakota ranges from $870 to $1,474 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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  • No deposit
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our South Dakota to Tennessee car shipping guide.

The best Tennessee to South Dakota car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Tennessee to South Dakota:

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 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 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
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 Tennessee to South Dakota

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,141 miles on your car going from Tennessee to South Dakota. 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 Tennessee for a move to South Dakota, 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 Tennessee to South Dakota 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!

TN to SD auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Tennessee and South Dakota. The average travel distance is about 1,141 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Nashville, TN to South Dakota

From Tennessee to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Nashville, TN to Sioux Falls, SD $838 – $1,287 917 miles 2 – 7 days
Nashville, TN to Rapid City, SD $997 – $1,511 1,260 miles 3 – 8 days
Nashville, TN to Aberdeen, SD $932 – $1,474 1,117 miles 2 – 8 days
Nashville, TN to Brookings, SD $870 – $1,272 970 miles 2 – 7 days
Nashville, TN to Watertown, SD $831 – $1,278 1,017 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Memphis, TN to South Dakota

From Tennessee to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Memphis, TN to Sioux Falls, SD $857 – $1,260 813 miles 2 – 7 days
Memphis, TN to Rapid City, SD $888 – $1,375 1,156 miles 2 – 8 days
Memphis, TN to Aberdeen, SD $807 – $1,304 1,012 miles 2 – 8 days
Memphis, TN to Brookings, SD $801 – $1,295 866 miles 2 – 7 days
Memphis, TN to Watertown, SD $805 – $1,211 913 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Clarksville, TN to South Dakota

From Tennessee to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Clarksville, TN to Sioux Falls, SD $842 – $1,258 873 miles 2 – 7 days
Clarksville, TN to Rapid City, SD $1,016 – $1,467 1,217 miles 2 – 8 days
Clarksville, TN to Aberdeen, SD $840 – $1,291 1,072 miles 2 – 8 days
Clarksville, TN to Brookings, SD $847 – $1,351 926 miles 2 – 7 days
Clarksville, TN to Watertown, SD $854 – $1,350 973 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Knoxville, TN to South Dakota

From Tennessee to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Knoxville, TN to Sioux Falls, SD $823 – $1,357 1,094 miles 2 – 8 days
Knoxville, TN to Rapid City, SD $1,106 – $1,662 1,437 miles 3 – 8 days
Knoxville, TN to Aberdeen, SD $1,016 – $1,408 1,241 miles 2 – 8 days
Knoxville, TN to Brookings, SD $941 – $1,390 1,146 miles 2 – 8 days
Knoxville, TN to Watertown, SD $923 – $1,474 1,193 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Chattanooga, TN to South Dakota

From Tennessee to South Dakota Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Chattanooga, TN to Sioux Falls, SD $799 – $1,357 1,048 miles 2 – 8 days
Chattanooga, TN to Rapid City, SD $1,068 – $1,536 1,391 miles 3 – 8 days
Chattanooga, TN to Aberdeen, SD $987 – $1,511 1,247 miles 2 – 8 days
Chattanooga, TN to Brookings, SD $932 – $1,474 1,101 miles 2 – 8 days
Chattanooga, TN to Watertown, SD $861 – $1,418 1,148 miles 2 – 8 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Tennessee to South Dakota

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 Tennessee to South Dakota you should expect to pay between $1,088 and $1,843.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from TN to SD

When transporting your vehicle from the Volunteer State to the Mount Rushmore 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 South Dakota.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Tennessee to South Dakota spans approximately 1,141 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee and South Dakota 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 Tennessee to South Dakota should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

South Dakota vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance 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.
  • Vehicle inspection: 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.
  • Driver’s license: 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.
  • Additional taxes: When moving to South Dakota, you will need to register your vehicle with the South Dakota Department of Revenue within 90 days. You will need to provide proof of insurance, the vehicle title, pay a fee based on the vehicle's value, 4% sales tax, and $5 per wheel wheel tax.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Tennessee

More than 39 million people call Tennessee home. Nicknamed the Volunteer State, Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.

Transporting your vehicle to South Dakota

About 22 million people are living in 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.

FAQ

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

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Tennessee and when dropping it off in South Dakota.

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

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

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.

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.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Tennessee to South Dakota is about 1,141 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Tennessee to South Dakota.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.

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.

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

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.

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

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

When moving to South Dakota, you will need to register your vehicle with the South Dakota Department of Revenue within 90 days. You will need to provide proof of insurance, the vehicle title, pay a fee based on the vehicle's value, 4% sales tax, and $5 per wheel wheel tax.

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Tennessee to South Dakota costs $870 to $1,474.

Helpful Tennessee resources