Minnesota to South Dakota Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 493 miles from Minnesota to South Dakota ranges from $638 to $877. Expect the trip to take around one–four 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove 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 Minnesota
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Minnesota that can transport your vehicle to South Dakota:
- Auto Driveaway: 3.62 out of 5 stars
- Minneapolis Auto Shipping Group: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Ceva Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Express Auto Transport Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Auto Driveaway
4570 West 77th Street, Suite 215, Edina, MN 55435 US
autodriveaway.com
3.62 / 5.0
Reviews highlight significant issues regarding the company's service and staff behavior, with many customers expressing strong dissatisfaction. However, there are also individual accounts of positive interactions with specific employees who provided helpful support.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1335807
Alternative Business Names
- MWW Ltd.
Minneapolis Auto Shipping Group
80 S 8th St Suite 900, Minneapolis, MN 55402 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-minnesota/minneapolis
3.58 / 5.0
Overall, the company receives high praise for its vehicle shipping services, particularly for the excellence in customer service and communication provided by employees such as Felicia Williams and Jason Brackens. Felicia is repeatedly mentioned for her outstanding communication, ensuring customers are well-informed throughout the shipping process. Similarly, Jason is lauded for his proactive updates and excellent customer service. Common themes across the reviews include the efficiency of the shipping process, vehicles arriving in good condition, and the process being smoother and more affordable than expected. Customer satisfaction is evidently high, with many praising the company's reliability and professionalism. The four most frequent sentences that encapsulate the positive experiences shared by customers are likely to include commendations of the exceptional service provided by Felicia and Jason, the smoothness of the transportation process, and the condition of the vehicles upon arrival.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239008
Ceva Logistics
3169 Dodd Rd, St Paul, MN 55121 US
cevalogistics.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Storage solutions
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 187774
Express Auto Transport Inc
22015 Canton Ct, Farmington, MN 55024 US
expressautotrans.com
3.5 / 5.0
Express Auto Transport offers knowledgeable service with mechanics like Tony, but customer safety and accountability of drivers are major concerns as reported by some customers.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 653539
Global Auto Transportation
1620 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 US
globalautotransportation.com/minneapolis-auto-transport
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2243114
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 Minnesota to South Dakota
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Minnesota to South Dakota, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 493 extra miles on your car to travel from Minnesota to South Dakota. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Minnesota 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
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
Minnesota to South Dakota auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Minnesota and South Dakota. The average journey covers about 493 miles and takes roughly one to four days.
Cost to ship a car from Minneapolis, MN to South Dakota
| From Minnesota to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN to Sioux Falls, SD | $433 – $590 | 239 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Rapid City, SD | $686 – $953 | 574 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Aberdeen, SD | $476 – $625 | 291 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Brookings, SD | $458 – $595 | 211 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Watertown, SD | $428 – $567 | 201 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from St. Paul, MN to South Dakota
| From Minnesota to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul, MN to Sioux Falls, SD | $423 – $583 | 274 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Rapid City, SD | $726 – $1,040 | 612 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Aberdeen, SD | $480 – $710 | 302 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Brookings, SD | $422 – $544 | 218 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Watertown, SD | $422 – $538 | 212 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rochester, MN to South Dakota
| From Minnesota to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN to Sioux Falls, SD | $437 – $578 | 236 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rochester, MN to Rapid City, SD | $706 – $897 | 574 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rochester, MN to Aberdeen, SD | $572 – $722 | 361 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rochester, MN to Brookings, SD | $446 – $578 | 232 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rochester, MN to Watertown, SD | $450 – $583 | 261 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bloomington, MN to South Dakota
| From Minnesota to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, MN to Sioux Falls, SD | $415 – $572 | 259 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Rapid City, SD | $666 – $934 | 566 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Aberdeen, SD | $453 – $663 | 278 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Brookings, SD | $445 – $578 | 201 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Watertown, SD | $443 – $538 | 197 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Duluth, MN to South Dakota
| From Minnesota to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN to Sioux Falls, SD | $594 – $743 | 393 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Duluth, MN to Rapid City, SD | $796 – $1,155 | 728 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Duluth, MN to Aberdeen, SD | $523 – $707 | 374 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Duluth, MN to Brookings, SD | $505 – $684 | 331 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Duluth, MN to Watertown, SD | $520 – $710 | 317 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Minnesota to South Dakota
Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.
For this route from Minnesota to South Dakota, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $798–$1,096.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Minnesota to South Dakota
When moving your vehicle from the North Star State to the Mount Rushmore State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- 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: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to South Dakota.
- Distance and route: The route from Minnesota to South Dakota is about 493 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Minnesota more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Minnesota and South Dakota may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- 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 Minnesota to South Dakota should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
South Dakota vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to South Dakota means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- 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 Minnesota
More than 5.7 million people call Minnesota home. Nicknamed the North Star State. Minnesota experiences temperature extremes characteristic of its continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Minnesota does experience weather such as: rain, snow, blizzards, thunderstorms, hail, derechos, tornadoes, and high-velocity straight-line winds.
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota and when dropping it off in South Dakota.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Minnesota to South Dakota?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Minnesota 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 Minnesota.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Minnesota must maintain a minimum insurance coverage, including $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $10,000 for property damage liability, ensuring financial protection in case of accidents and aligning with state regulations for responsible driving practices.
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 Minnesota to South Dakota?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Minnesota to South Dakota is about 493 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Minnesota to South Dakota.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Minnesota does not have a mandate for regular safety inspections on personal vehicles.
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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota and South Dakota to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Minnesota to South Dakota?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Minnesota 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 Minnesota to South Dakota?
Shipping a car from Minnesota to South Dakota costs $638 to $877.
