Delaware to South Dakota Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,528 miles from Delaware to South Dakota ranges from $1,098 to $1,521. Expect the trip to take around three–nine days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our South Dakota to Delaware car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best Delaware to South Dakota car shipping companies
After logging over 400 hours of research in the car shipping industry, we found that these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Delaware to South Dakota:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Delaware
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Delaware that can transport your vehicle to South Dakota:
- Moverjet Logistics LLC: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Pride Car Shipping: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Xpress Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Colibri Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Delaware to South Dakota
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Delaware to South Dakota, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 1,528 miles to your vehicle on the route from Delaware to South Dakota. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Delaware to South Dakota is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
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!
Delaware to South Dakota auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Delaware and South Dakota. The average travel distance is about 1,528 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to nine days.
Cost to ship a car from Wilmington, DE to South Dakota
| From Delaware to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, DE to Sioux Falls, SD | $1,008 – $1,448 | 1,333 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Wilmington, DE to Rapid City, SD | $1,187 – $1,643 | 1,662 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Wilmington, DE to Aberdeen, SD | $1,001 – $1,552 | 1,458 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Wilmington, DE to Brookings, SD | $978 – $1,522 | 1,382 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Wilmington, DE to Watertown, SD | $988 – $1,404 | 1,367 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Dover, DE to South Dakota
| From Delaware to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DE to Sioux Falls, SD | $978 – $1,552 | 1,356 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Dover, DE to Rapid City, SD | $1,146 – $1,663 | 1,704 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Dover, DE to Aberdeen, SD | $1,095 – $1,521 | 1,481 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Dover, DE to Brookings, SD | $1,064 – $1,567 | 1,405 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Dover, DE to Watertown, SD | $939 – $1,493 | 1,391 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Newark, DE to South Dakota
| From Delaware to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark, DE to Sioux Falls, SD | $969 – $1,404 | 1,306 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Newark, DE to Rapid City, SD | $1,107 – $1,627 | 1,644 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Newark, DE to Aberdeen, SD | $1,001 – $1,475 | 1,440 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Newark, DE to Brookings, SD | $959 – $1,537 | 1,354 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Newark, DE to Watertown, SD | $939 – $1,537 | 1,341 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Middletown, DE to South Dakota
| From Delaware to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middletown, DE to Sioux Falls, SD | $978 – $1,478 | 1,347 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Middletown, DE to Rapid City, SD | $1,205 – $1,801 | 1,704 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Middletown, DE to Aberdeen, SD | $1,053 – $1,583 | 1,490 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Middletown, DE to Brookings, SD | $1,018 – $1,478 | 1,395 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Middletown, DE to Watertown, SD | $959 – $1,404 | 1,381 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bear, DE to South Dakota
| From Delaware to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear, DE to Sioux Falls, SD | $1,018 – $1,522 | 1,351 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bear, DE to Rapid City, SD | $1,176 – $1,594 | 1,689 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bear, DE to Aberdeen, SD | $1,043 – $1,613 | 1,466 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bear, DE to Brookings, SD | $959 – $1,463 | 1,390 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bear, DE to Watertown, SD | $998 – $1,404 | 1,376 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Delaware 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 Delaware to South Dakota you should expect to pay between $1,373 and $1,901.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Delaware to South Dakota
If you’re shipping a car from the First State to the Mount Rushmore State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to South Dakota.
- Distance and route: The trip from Delaware to South Dakota covers roughly 1,528 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Delaware, 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 Delaware 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 Delaware to South Dakota should take between three and nine days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
South Dakota vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in South Dakota, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- 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 Delaware
More than 1.0 million people call Delaware home. Nicknamed the First State. Almost all of Delaware is a part of the Atlantic coastal plain, the effects of the ocean moderate its climate. The southern portion of the state has a milder climate than the northern portion of the state.
Transporting your vehicle to South Dakota
About 919,318 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 Delaware 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 Delaware and when dropping it off in South Dakota.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Delaware to South Dakota?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Delaware 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 Delaware.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Delaware mandates that vehicle owners carry a minimum of liability car insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury liability in case of an accident involving multiple people and $10,000 for property damage per accident.
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 Delaware to South Dakota?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Delaware to South Dakota is about 1,528 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from Delaware to South Dakota.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Delaware, vehicles are required to undergo an emissions inspection every two years, unless the vehicle is less than seven years old. Additionally, a vehicle inspection is required every time you register or re-register your vehicle, but it must be completed within 90 days of the registration date to be valid.
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 Delaware, 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 Delaware, 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 Delaware 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 Delaware and South Dakota to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Delaware to South Dakota?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Delaware 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 Delaware to South Dakota?
Shipping a car from Delaware to South Dakota costs $1,098 to $1,521.
3422 Old Capitol Trl #2025, Wilmington, DE 19808 US
1007 Orange St 4th floor, Wilmington, DE 19801 US
1225 N King St #340, Wilmington, DE 19801 US
3411 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810 US