South Dakota to Arizona Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,246 miles from South Dakota to Arizona ranges from $957 to $1,493 and takes two–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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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Arizona to South Dakota car shipping guide.

The best South Dakota to Arizona car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from South Dakota to Arizona:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
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  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
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  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
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  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from South Dakota to Arizona

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,246 miles on your car going from South Dakota to Arizona. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
  • Ship it with your movers. If you need to ship your car from South Dakota for a move to Arizona, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from South Dakota to Arizona for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
  • 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!

SD to AZ auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in South Dakota and Arizona. The average travel distance is about 1,246 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Sioux Falls, SD to Arizona

From South Dakota to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sioux Falls, SD to Phoenix, AZ $1,136 – $1,674 1,413 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Tucson, AZ $1,049 – $1,626 1,448 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Mesa, AZ $1,136 – $1,530 1,401 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Chandler, AZ $1,082 – $1,642 1,413 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Gilbert, AZ $1,136 – $1,610 1,403 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Rapid City, SD to Arizona

From South Dakota to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Rapid City, SD to Phoenix, AZ $1,004 – $1,391 1,213 miles 2 – 8 days
Rapid City, SD to Tucson, AZ $976 – $1,406 1,248 miles 2 – 8 days
Rapid City, SD to Mesa, AZ $909 – $1,435 1,200 miles 2 – 8 days
Rapid City, SD to Chandler, AZ $947 – $1,464 1,213 miles 2 – 8 days
Rapid City, SD to Gilbert, AZ $985 – $1,420 1,203 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Aberdeen, SD to Arizona

From South Dakota to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Aberdeen, SD to Phoenix, AZ $1,039 – $1,626 1,479 miles 3 – 8 days
Aberdeen, SD to Tucson, AZ $1,162 – $1,627 1,513 miles 3 – 9 days
Aberdeen, SD to Mesa, AZ $1,039 – $1,530 1,466 miles 3 – 8 days
Aberdeen, SD to Chandler, AZ $1,125 – $1,594 1,479 miles 3 – 8 days
Aberdeen, SD to Gilbert, AZ $1,136 – $1,515 1,468 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Brookings, SD to Arizona

From South Dakota to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Brookings, SD to Phoenix, AZ $1,082 – $1,515 1,466 miles 3 – 8 days
Brookings, SD to Tucson, AZ $1,105 – $1,676 1,501 miles 3 – 9 days
Brookings, SD to Mesa, AZ $1,071 – $1,515 1,453 miles 3 – 8 days
Brookings, SD to Chandler, AZ $1,028 – $1,642 1,466 miles 3 – 8 days
Brookings, SD to Gilbert, AZ $1,093 – $1,562 1,456 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Watertown, SD to Arizona

From South Dakota to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Watertown, SD to Phoenix, AZ $1,127 – $1,562 1,512 miles 3 – 9 days
Watertown, SD to Tucson, AZ $1,093 – $1,611 1,547 miles 3 – 9 days
Watertown, SD to Mesa, AZ $1,082 – $1,594 1,499 miles 3 – 8 days
Watertown, SD to Chandler, AZ $1,105 – $1,594 1,512 miles 3 – 9 days
Watertown, SD to Gilbert, AZ $1,093 – $1,643 1,502 miles 3 – 9 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to Arizona

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 South Dakota to Arizona you should expect to pay between $1,196 and $1,866.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from SD to AZ

When transporting your vehicle from the Mount Rushmore State to the Grand Canyon State, these factors will influence your final price:

  • 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: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Arizona.
  • Distance and route: The journey from South Dakota to Arizona spans approximately 1,246 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
  • Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of South Dakota, 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 South Dakota and Arizona 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 South Dakota to Arizona should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Arizona vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: The mandated liability insurance minimums in Arizona are as follows: $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person per accident $30,000 for bodily injury liability for two or more people per accident $10,000 for property damage liability per accident
  • Vehicle inspection: Emissions testing is mandatory in Phoenix and Tucson, but not in the rest of Arizona. If you reside in either Phoenix or Tucson, you are required to undergo an emissions test every two years while renewing your vehicle registration. On the other hand, car safety inspections are not mandatory in the state of Arizona.
  • Driver’s license: If you are a former resident of another state and now reside in Arizona, you will need to visit an Arizona Motor Vehicle Services office in person to obtain an Arizona driver's license. You have a 10-day window after relocating within the state to update the address on your Arizona driver's license.
  • Additional taxes: In Arizona, vehicle owners are required to pay the Vehicle License Tax (VLT) along with other fees. This tax serves as an alternative to the personal property tax that is imposed in some other states.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from South Dakota

More than 39 million 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 Arizona

About 22 million people are living in the Grand Canyon State. Arizona may be on of the top states where your move is least likely to be affected by climate due to the unlikelihood of extremely cold days and natural disasters.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Dakota and delivery in Arizona?

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 Arizona.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Dakota to Arizona?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Dakota to Arizona, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Arizona, 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.

The mandated liability insurance minimums in Arizona are as follows: $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person per accident $30,000 for bodily injury liability for two or more people per accident $10,000 for property damage liability per accident

How long does it take to ship a car from South Dakota to Arizona?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to Arizona is about 1,246 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from South Dakota to Arizona.

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.

Emissions testing is mandatory in Phoenix and Tucson, but not in the rest of Arizona. If you reside in either Phoenix or Tucson, you are required to undergo an emissions test every two years while renewing your vehicle registration. On the other hand, car safety inspections are not mandatory in the state of Arizona.

If I have a driver’s license in South Dakota, will I need one in Arizona?

If you are a former resident of another state and now reside in Arizona, you will need to visit an Arizona Motor Vehicle Services office in person to obtain an Arizona driver's license. You have a 10-day window after relocating within the state to update the address on your Arizona driver's license.

If I bought a car in South Dakota, will I be required to pay sales tax in Arizona after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Dakota to Arizona after purchasing it.

In Arizona, vehicle owners are required to pay the Vehicle License Tax (VLT) along with other fees. This tax serves as an alternative to the personal property tax that is imposed in some other states.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Dakota and Arizona to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Arizona?

The cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Arizona 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 Arizona?

Shipping a car from South Dakota to Arizona costs $957 to $1,493.

Helpful South Dakota resources