South Dakota to California Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,657 miles from South Dakota to California ranges from $1,396 to $2,029 and takes three–nine 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 California to South Dakota car shipping guide.
The best South Dakota to California 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 California:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Competitive pricing
- Last-minute car shipments
- Guaranteed & expedited shipments
- Gap insurance coverage
- Multiple discounts
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
Alternative ways to ship your car from South Dakota to California
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,657 miles on your car going from South Dakota to California. 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 California, 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 California 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 CA 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 California. The average travel distance is about 1,657 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to nine days .
Cost to ship a car from Sioux Falls, SD to California
| From South Dakota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA | $1,369 – $1,932 | 1,635 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Bakersfield, CA | $1,315 – $1,893 | 1,650 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Fresno, CA | $1,389 – $1,996 | 1,760 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Long Beach, CA | $1,369 – $1,854 | 1,652 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Oakland, CA | $1,431 – $2,077 | 1,743 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rapid City, SD to California
| From South Dakota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD to Los Angeles, CA | $1,197 – $1,790 | 1,355 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Bakersfield, CA | $1,139 – $1,702 | 1,368 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Fresno, CA | $1,251 – $1,807 | 1,478 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Long Beach, CA | $1,104 – $1,790 | 1,368 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Oakland, CA | $1,197 – $1,843 | 1,397 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aberdeen, SD to California
| From South Dakota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen, SD to Los Angeles, CA | $1,423 – $2,049 | 1,629 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Bakersfield, CA | $1,288 – $1,971 | 1,643 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Fresno, CA | $1,417 – $2,057 | 1,752 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Long Beach, CA | $1,423 – $1,912 | 1,642 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Oakland, CA | $1,369 – $1,971 | 1,671 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Brookings, SD to California
| From South Dakota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings, SD to Los Angeles, CA | $1,459 – $2,098 | 1,742 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Bakersfield, CA | $1,333 – $2,036 | 1,755 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Brookings, SD to Fresno, CA | $1,490 – $2,252 | 1,864 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Brookings, SD to Long Beach, CA | $1,347 – $2,077 | 1,752 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Brookings, SD to Oakland, CA | $1,431 – $2,036 | 1,783 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Watertown, SD to California
| From South Dakota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown, SD to Los Angeles, CA | $1,315 – $1,912 | 1,680 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Bakersfield, CA | $1,328 – $1,932 | 1,693 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Fresno, CA | $1,432 – $2,124 | 1,802 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Watertown, SD to Long Beach, CA | $1,396 – $1,912 | 1,691 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Oakland, CA | $1,361 – $2,077 | 1,721 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to California
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 California you should expect to pay between $1,745 and $2,536.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from SD to CA
When transporting your vehicle from the Mount Rushmore State to the Golden 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 California.
- Distance and route: The journey from South Dakota to California spans approximately 1,657 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 California 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 California should take between three and nine days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
California vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
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 California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Dakota and delivery in California?
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 California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Dakota to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Dakota to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, 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 minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Dakota to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to California is about 1,657 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from South Dakota to California.
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.
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
If I have a driver’s license in South Dakota, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in South Dakota, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Dakota to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Dakota and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to California 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 California?
Shipping a car from South Dakota to California costs $1,396 to $2,029.
