South Dakota to Arkansas Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 898 miles from South Dakota to Arkansas usually costs between $812 and $1,210. Transit time is about two–seven days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Arkansas to South Dakota 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 South Dakota to Arkansas car shipping companies
Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from South Dakota to Arkansas:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- 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
Top local car shippers in South Dakota
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in South Dakota that can transport your vehicle to Arkansas:
- Auto Transport by Stopwatch: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Yada Enterprises Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Auto Transport by Stopwatch
3400 W Chicago St, Rapid City, SD 57702 US
stopwatchusa.com
3.56 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Classic cars
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2965797
Yada Enterprises Inc
611 N Main St, Redfield, SD 57469 US
yadaenterprises.net
3.5 / 5.0
Yada Enterprises has received significant feedback regarding their vehicle transport services, highlighting both commendable customer interactions and notable issues with vehicle damage. While many customers appreciated the respectful conduct of drivers and timely delivery, there were serious concerns about vehicle mishandling and lack of accountability for damages during transport.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Classic cars
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1255110
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 South Dakota to Arkansas
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from South Dakota to Arkansas, 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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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 898 extra miles on your car to travel from South Dakota to Arkansas. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from South Dakota to Arkansas 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
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.
South Dakota to Arkansas 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 South Dakota and Arkansas. The trip typically spans 898 miles and takes about two–seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Sioux Falls, SD to Arkansas
| From South Dakota to Arkansas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Little Rock, AR | $835 – $1,133 | 788 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Fayetteville, AR | $716 – $986 | 600 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Fort Smith, AR | $790 – $1,048 | 656 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Springdale, AR | $722 – $969 | 593 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Jonesboro, AR | $810 – $1,186 | 744 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rapid City, SD to Arkansas
| From South Dakota to Arkansas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD to Little Rock, AR | $879 – $1,432 | 1,130 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Fayetteville, AR | $871 – $1,274 | 942 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Fort Smith, AR | $852 – $1,243 | 998 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Springdale, AR | $863 – $1,274 | 935 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Jonesboro, AR | $864 – $1,357 | 1,086 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aberdeen, SD to Arkansas
| From South Dakota to Arkansas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen, SD to Little Rock, AR | $835 – $1,321 | 987 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Fayetteville, AR | $817 – $1,175 | 800 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Fort Smith, AR | $784 – $1,270 | 855 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Springdale, AR | $802 – $1,169 | 792 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Jonesboro, AR | $847 – $1,235 | 944 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Brookings, SD to Arkansas
| From South Dakota to Arkansas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings, SD to Little Rock, AR | $822 – $1,254 | 841 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Brookings, SD to Fayetteville, AR | $722 – $1,059 | 654 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Brookings, SD to Fort Smith, AR | $760 – $1,118 | 709 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Brookings, SD to Springdale, AR | $776 – $1,044 | 646 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Brookings, SD to Jonesboro, AR | $851 – $1,169 | 797 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Watertown, SD to Arkansas
| From South Dakota to Arkansas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown, SD to Little Rock, AR | $853 – $1,324 | 887 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Watertown, SD to Fayetteville, AR | $752 – $1,129 | 700 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Watertown, SD to Fort Smith, AR | $771 – $1,150 | 755 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Watertown, SD to Springdale, AR | $741 – $1,139 | 693 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Watertown, SD to Jonesboro, AR | $781 – $1,254 | 844 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to Arkansas
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from South Dakota to Arkansas, the price usually falls between $1,015 and $1,513.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from South Dakota to Arkansas
When arranging car transport from the Mount Rushmore State to the Natural State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Arkansas than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The trip from South Dakota to Arkansas covers roughly 898 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from South Dakota around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between South Dakota and Arkansas may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from South Dakota to Arkansas takes two–seven days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Arkansas vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Arkansas 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 Arkansas, all drivers must maintain liability insurance that meets the state's minimum requirements, which are $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death in one accident, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage caused by an auto accident.
- Vehicle inspection: Arkansas does not require mandatory safety or emissions inspections, but the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality encourages voluntary emissions testing for the benefit of the environment. This means that while getting your car tested for emissions is optional, it is strongly encouraged.
- Driver’s license: If you establish residency in Arkansas, you are required to obtain an Arkansas driver's license within 30 days.
- Additional taxes: In Arkansas, all car sales are subject to a state tax rate of 6.5%, with the potential for additional county and local taxes up to 5%, resulting in an average total car sales tax rate of 9.133%.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from South Dakota
More than 919,318 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 Arkansas
About 3.1 million people are living in the Natural State. Arkansas has hot, humid summers and slightly drier, mild to cool winters. Arkansas is known for extreme weather and frequent storms. A typical year brings thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, snow, and ice storms. Between both the Great Plains and the Gulf States, Arkansas receives around 60 days of thunderstorms. Movers should check their local weather station to make sure they are not being caught in any of these storms.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Dakota and delivery in Arkansas?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in South Dakota and when dropping it off in Arkansas.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Dakota to Arkansas?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Dakota to Arkansas, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Arkansas, 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.
In Arkansas, all drivers must maintain liability insurance that meets the state's minimum requirements, which are $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death in one accident, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage caused by an auto accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Dakota to Arkansas?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to Arkansas is about 898 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from South Dakota to Arkansas.
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.
Arkansas does not require mandatory safety or emissions inspections, but the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality encourages voluntary emissions testing for the benefit of the environment. This means that while getting your car tested for emissions is optional, it is strongly encouraged.
If I have a driver’s license in South Dakota, will I need one in Arkansas?
If you establish residency in Arkansas, you are required to obtain an Arkansas driver's license within 30 days.
If I bought a car in South Dakota, will I be required to pay sales tax in Arkansas after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Dakota to Arkansas after purchasing it.
In Arkansas, all car sales are subject to a state tax rate of 6.5%, with the potential for additional county and local taxes up to 5%, resulting in an average total car sales tax rate of 9.133%.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Dakota and Arkansas to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Arkansas?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Arkansas 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 South Dakota to Arkansas?
Shipping a car from South Dakota to Arkansas costs $812 to $1,210.
