South Dakota to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,635 miles from South Dakota to California ranges from $1,384 to $2,054 and takes 3–9 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to South Dakota car shipping guide.
South Dakota to California auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in South Dakota and California. The average travel distance is about 1,635 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 9 days.
Cost to ship a car from Sioux Falls, SD to California
| From South Dakota to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA | 1,635 miles | $1,456–$2,054 | 3–9 days |
| Spearfish, SD to San Diego, CA | 1,696 miles | $1,412–$2,158 | 3–9 days |
| Box Elder, SD to San Jose, CA | 1,778 miles | $1,432–$2,187 | 3–11 days |
| Vermillion, SD to San Francisco, CA | 1,745 miles | $1,522–$2,100 | 3–9 days |
| Brandon, SD to Fresno, CA | 1,757 miles | $1,477–$2,165 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Spearfish, SD to California
| From South Dakota to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA | 1,287 miles | $1,141–$1,764 | 3–8 days |
| Spearfish, SD to San Diego, CA | 1,349 miles | $1,186–$1,772 | 3–8 days |
| Box Elder, SD to San Jose, CA | 1,388 miles | $1,260–$1,884 | 3–8 days |
| Vermillion, SD to San Francisco, CA | 1,356 miles | $1,285–$1,772 | 3–8 days |
| Brandon, SD to Fresno, CA | 1,411 miles | $1,303–$1,998 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Box Elder, SD to California
| From South Dakota to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA | 1,340 miles | $1,223–$1,847 | 3–8 days |
| Spearfish, SD to San Diego, CA | 1,402 miles | $1,330–$1,901 | 3–8 days |
| Box Elder, SD to San Jose, CA | 1,442 miles | $1,251–$1,921 | 3–8 days |
| Vermillion, SD to San Francisco, CA | 1,409 miles | $1,277–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| Brandon, SD to Fresno, CA | 1,464 miles | $1,330–$2,037 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Vermillion, SD to California
| From South Dakota to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA | 1,573 miles | $1,344–$1,999 | 3–9 days |
| Spearfish, SD to San Diego, CA | 1,634 miles | $1,398–$2,137 | 3–9 days |
| Box Elder, SD to San Jose, CA | 1,717 miles | $1,507–$2,252 | 3–9 days |
| Vermillion, SD to San Francisco, CA | 1,685 miles | $1,369–$2,054 | 3–9 days |
| Brandon, SD to Fresno, CA | 1,696 miles | $1,484–$2,012 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Brandon, SD to California
| From South Dakota to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA | 1,648 miles | $1,412–$2,075 | 3–9 days |
| Spearfish, SD to San Diego, CA | 1,709 miles | $1,432–$2,208 | 3–9 days |
| Box Elder, SD to San Jose, CA | 1,782 miles | $1,417–$2,252 | 3–11 days |
| Vermillion, SD to San Francisco, CA | 1,750 miles | $1,492–$2,165 | 3–11 days |
| Brandon, SD to Fresno, CA | 1,771 miles | $1,447–$2,230 | 3–11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to California
Since vehicles like SUV, 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 California you should expect to pay between $1,730 and $2,568.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from South Dakota to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Mount Rushmore State to the Golden 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 California.
- Distance and route: The journey from South Dakota to California spans approximately 1,635 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 California 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 California should take between 3 and 9 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best South Dakota to California car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from South Dakota to California:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from South Dakota to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,635 miles on your car going from South Dakota to California. 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 hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from South Dakota to California 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from South Dakota to California?
- Car insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from South Dakota
Over 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 California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State of California. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in South Dakota and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in South Dakota and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Dakota to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Dakota to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, 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.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Dakota to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to California is about 1635 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-9 days to travel from South Dakota to California.
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.
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
If I have a driver’s license in South Dakota, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in South Dakota, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Dakota to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Dakota and California to avoid any hidden costs.
