Montana to South Dakota Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 663 miles from Montana to South Dakota falls between $745 and $978. Delivery typically takes one–six days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out 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 Montana 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 Montana to South Dakota car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Montana 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 Montana
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Montana that can transport your vehicle to South Dakota:
- Turbo Auto Transport: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Big Sky Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Turbo Auto Transport
5001 49th St. SW, Great Falls, MT 59404 US
turboautotransport.com
3.56 / 5.0
Customers consistently praise the service as the best in Great Falls, Montana, highlighting exceptional customer service and expertise in truck and trailer repairs. Some emphasize the positive atmosphere and helpful staff, underscoring their willingness to assist with vehicle needs. However, no significant complaints or issues were noted, indicating overall satisfaction with the services provided.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1482475
Alternative Business Names
- Turbo Transportation Group, LLC
Big Sky Auto Transport
4825 53rd Avenue SW, Great Falls, MT 59404 US
bigskyautotransport.com
3.5 / 5.0
Customers overwhelmingly praise Big Sky Auto Transport for their excellent communication, timely service, and the professionalism of their drivers. Many noted the special attention provided by the staff, making the process smooth and reassuring. However, some reviews did not mention any significant negatives, indicating overall satisfaction with the service.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Motorcycles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 598761
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 Montana to South Dakota
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Montana 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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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 663 miles to your car on the trip from Montana to South Dakota. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Montana to South Dakota. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
Montana 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 Montana and South Dakota. The average journey covers about 663 miles and takes roughly one to six days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to South Dakota
| From Montana to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Sioux Falls, SD | $753 – $1,081 | 661 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Billings, MT to Rapid City, SD | $489 – $655 | 318 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Billings, MT to Aberdeen, SD | $659 – $929 | 533 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Billings, MT to Brookings, SD | $769 – $1,108 | 705 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Billings, MT to Watertown, SD | $682 – $994 | 628 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to South Dakota
| From Montana to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Sioux Falls, SD | $784 – $1,254 | 1,002 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Missoula, MT to Rapid City, SD | $738 – $1,050 | 659 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Missoula, MT to Aberdeen, SD | $818 – $1,198 | 874 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Missoula, MT to Brookings, SD | $808 – $1,192 | 1,047 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Missoula, MT to Watertown, SD | $805 – $1,187 | 970 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to South Dakota
| From Montana to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Sioux Falls, SD | $789 – $1,201 | 878 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Rapid City, SD | $672 – $857 | 535 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Aberdeen, SD | $748 – $1,119 | 743 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Brookings, SD | $751 – $1,214 | 919 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Watertown, SD | $817 – $1,166 | 800 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to South Dakota
| From Montana to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Sioux Falls, SD | $754 – $1,131 | 800 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Rapid City, SD | $583 – $858 | 458 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Aberdeen, SD | $738 – $1,081 | 672 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Brookings, SD | $751 – $1,171 | 845 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Watertown, SD | $803 – $1,084 | 768 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to South Dakota
| From Montana to South Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Sioux Falls, SD | $749 – $1,225 | 885 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Butte, MT to Rapid City, SD | $627 – $857 | 542 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Butte, MT to Aberdeen, SD | $757 – $1,128 | 757 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Butte, MT to Brookings, SD | $783 – $1,250 | 930 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Butte, MT to Watertown, SD | $826 – $1,234 | 853 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana 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 Montana to South Dakota you should expect to pay between $931 and $1,223.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to South Dakota
Transporting your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Mount Rushmore State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed 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: The journey from Montana to South Dakota spans approximately 663 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Montana around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Montana and South Dakota.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is one–six days, but you can pay for expedited service.
South Dakota vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to South Dakota, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- 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 Montana
More than 1.1 million people call Montana home. Nicknamed the Big Sky Country. Montana has a lot of variation in geography, topography, and elevation, and the climate is equally varied. The western half is mountainous, interrupted by numerous large valleys. Eastern Montana comprises plains and badlands, broken by hills and isolated mountain ranges, The Continental Divide has a considerable effect on the climate, as it restricts the flow of warmer air from the Pacific from moving east, and drier continental air from moving west. The area west of the divide has a modified northern Pacific Coast climate, with milder winters, cooler summers, less wind, and a longer growing season. Low clouds and fog often form in the valleys west of the divide in winter, but this is rarely seen in the east.
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 Montana 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 Montana and when dropping it off in South Dakota.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to South Dakota?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana 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 Montana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Montana, drivers must meet legal requirements for minimum car insurance liability coverage to ensure financial responsibility in accidents. Mandated by state regulations, this includes $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, covering collective medical expenses in case of multiple injuries, capped at $50,000 for the entire incident. Additionally, there's a required minimum of $20,000 per accident for property damage, crucial for addressing costs related to damage to another party's vehicle or property. Adhering to these insurance requirements is imperative for all motorists, ensuring compliance with state laws and contributing to a secure and responsible driving environment on Montana roadways.
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 Montana to South Dakota?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to South Dakota is about 663 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Montana to South Dakota.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
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 Montana, 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 Montana, 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 Montana 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 Montana and South Dakota to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to South Dakota?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana 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 Montana to South Dakota?
Shipping a car from Montana to South Dakota costs $745 to $978.
