Maryland to South Dakota Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,461 miles from Maryland to South Dakota ranges from $1,064 to $1,460 and takes three–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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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our South Dakota to Maryland 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 Maryland to South Dakota car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Maryland 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 Maryland
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Maryland that can transport your vehicle to South Dakota:
- Baltimore Auto Shipping Group: 3.64 out of 5 stars
- Jdf International Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Right Way Auto Transport Inc: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- S J Trucking & Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- All State to State 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 Maryland to South Dakota
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Maryland to South Dakota, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,461 extra miles on your car to travel from Maryland to South Dakota. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Maryland to South Dakota for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
Ship by train
Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
Maryland to South Dakota auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in Maryland and South Dakota. The trip typically spans 1,461 miles and takes about three–eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Washington DC, MD to South Dakota
| From Maryland to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC, MD to Sioux Falls, SD | $959 – $1,383 | 1,277 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Rapid City, SD | $1,130 – $1,627 | 1,609 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Aberdeen, SD | $1,084 – $1,613 | 1,402 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Brookings, SD | $959 – $1,463 | 1,326 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Watertown, SD | $959 – $1,507 | 1,306 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Baltimore, MD to South Dakota
| From Maryland to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD to Sioux Falls, SD | $876 – $1,454 | 1,283 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Rapid City, SD | $1,107 – $1,643 | 1,621 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Aberdeen, SD | $930 – $1,507 | 1,399 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Brookings, SD | $1,008 – $1,537 | 1,322 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Watertown, SD | $949 – $1,537 | 1,309 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, MD to South Dakota
| From Maryland to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MD to Sioux Falls, SD | $885 – $1,439 | 1,267 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Columbia, MD to Rapid City, SD | $1,107 – $1,610 | 1,605 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Columbia, MD to Aberdeen, SD | $1,018 – $1,419 | 1,391 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Columbia, MD to Brookings, SD | $988 – $1,463 | 1,315 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Columbia, MD to Watertown, SD | $998 – $1,552 | 1,302 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Germantown, MD to South Dakota
| From Maryland to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown, MD to Sioux Falls, SD | $940 – $1,425 | 1,254 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Germantown, MD to Rapid City, SD | $1,131 – $1,552 | 1,592 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Germantown, MD to Aberdeen, SD | $978 – $1,552 | 1,369 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Germantown, MD to Brookings, SD | $904 – $1,454 | 1,293 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Germantown, MD to Watertown, SD | $913 – $1,383 | 1,279 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Silver Spring, MD to South Dakota
| From Maryland to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Spring, MD to Sioux Falls, SD | $894 – $1,383 | 1,263 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Rapid City, SD | $1,199 – $1,676 | 1,601 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Aberdeen, SD | $1,027 – $1,522 | 1,387 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Brookings, SD | $1,018 – $1,522 | 1,311 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Watertown, SD | $959 – $1,468 | 1,297 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Maryland to South Dakota
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from Maryland to South Dakota, expect costs to range from $1,330 to $1,825.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Maryland to South Dakota
If you’re shipping a car from the Old Line State to the Mount Rushmore State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to South Dakota.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Maryland to South Dakota involves roughly 1,461 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Maryland more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Maryland and South Dakota and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes three–eight days, while expedited service costs more.
South Dakota vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to South Dakota, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- 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 Maryland
More than 6.2 million people call Maryland home. Nicknamed the Old Line State. Maryland has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to water, and protection from colder weather due to downslope winds. The eastern half of Maryland — which includes the cities of Ocean City, Salisbury, Annapolis, and the southern and eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore — lies on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with flat topography and sandy or muddy soil. This region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a short, mild-to-cool winter
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 Maryland 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 Maryland and when dropping it off in South Dakota.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Maryland to South Dakota?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Maryland 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 Maryland.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. All vehicles in Maryland must maintain insurance coverage from a Maryland-licensed insurance company at all times, with mandatory minimum coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.
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 Maryland to South Dakota?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Maryland to South Dakota is about 1,461 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Maryland to South Dakota.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If you recently relocated to Maryland or bought a vehicle, you must get it inspected at an authorized inspection station before registering the vehicle. New residents are mandated to undergo a vehicle safety inspection before obtaining car registration.
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 Maryland, 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 Maryland, 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 Maryland 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 Maryland and South Dakota to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Maryland to South Dakota?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Maryland 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 Maryland to South Dakota?
Shipping a car from Maryland to South Dakota costs $1,064 to $1,460.
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