South Dakota to Maine Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,757 miles from South Dakota to Maine ranges from $1,146 to $1,801 and takes three–eleven 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 Maine 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 Maine car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from South Dakota to Maine:
- 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 South Dakota
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in South Dakota ready to move your vehicle to Maine:
- 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 Maine
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from South Dakota to Maine, 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 1,757 extra miles on your car to travel from South Dakota to Maine. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from South Dakota to Maine, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
This service provides a secure and budget-friendly option for transporting your car. Car shipping by train is actually the most economical choice.
South Dakota to Maine auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in South Dakota and Maine. The average journey covers about 1,757 miles and takes roughly three to eleven days.
Cost to ship a car from Sioux Falls, SD to Maine
| From South Dakota to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Portland, ME | $1,096 – $1,676 | 1,663 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Lewiston, ME | $1,199 – $1,725 | 1,683 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Bangor, ME | $1,182 – $1,732 | 1,781 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to South Portland, ME | $1,164 – $1,676 | 1,654 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Auburn, ME | $1,130 – $1,725 | 1,682 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rapid City, SD to Maine
| From South Dakota to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD to Portland, ME | $1,199 – $1,952 | 1,991 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Lewiston, ME | $1,229 – $1,980 | 2,030 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Bangor, ME | $1,204 – $1,992 | 2,119 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Rapid City, SD to South Portland, ME | $1,199 – $1,914 | 1,992 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Auburn, ME | $1,305 – $1,999 | 2,030 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aberdeen, SD to Maine
| From South Dakota to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen, SD to Portland, ME | $1,158 – $1,698 | 1,779 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Lewiston, ME | $1,267 – $1,806 | 1,808 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Bangor, ME | $1,286 – $1,952 | 1,916 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to South Portland, ME | $1,123 – $1,783 | 1,779 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Auburn, ME | $1,194 – $1,879 | 1,808 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Brookings, SD to Maine
| From South Dakota to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings, SD to Portland, ME | $1,123 – $1,801 | 1,702 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Lewiston, ME | $1,146 – $1,801 | 1,741 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Bangor, ME | $1,157 – $1,788 | 1,830 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Brookings, SD to South Portland, ME | $1,182 – $1,646 | 1,703 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Auburn, ME | $1,170 – $1,715 | 1,731 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Watertown, SD to Maine
| From South Dakota to Maine | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown, SD to Portland, ME | $1,187 – $1,725 | 1,696 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Lewiston, ME | $1,205 – $1,749 | 1,717 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Bangor, ME | $1,182 – $1,734 | 1,815 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Watertown, SD to South Portland, ME | $1,142 – $1,561 | 1,688 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Auburn, ME | $1,182 – $1,681 | 1,716 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to Maine
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from South Dakota to Maine, expect costs to range from $1,433 to $2,251.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from South Dakota to Maine
If you’re shipping a car from the Mount Rushmore State to the Pine Tree State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from South Dakota to Maine.
- Distance and route: The journey from South Dakota to Maine spans approximately 1,757 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of South Dakota in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between South Dakota and Maine and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is three–eleven days, but you can pay for expedited service.
Maine vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Maine 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 Maine, drivers must carry a minimum liability coverage of 50/100/25, requiring $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for all injuries per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, as per car insurance laws.
- Vehicle inspection: The State of Maine requires annual safety inspections for all vehicles used on public roads to ensure they are in proper working condition and safe to operate. Safety inspections in Maine can be carried out at any official service station of the Maine Department of Transportation.
- Driver’s license: New residents of Maine are required to obtain a new state license within 30 days of establishing residency. If you are moving to Maine and possess a valid or recently expired (within the past 5 years) out-of-state driver's license from another US state, you can obtain a Class C license, including a REAL ID license, by visiting a Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.
- Additional taxes: Maine requires registered car owners to pay an annual excise tax for motor vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, and stock vehicles. This tax is calculated by multiplying the current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the vehicle by the mileage rate.
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 Maine
About 1.4 million people are living in the Pine Tree State. Maine has a humid continental climate. with warm and sometimes humid summers, and long, cold and very snowy winters. Winters are especially severe in the Northern and Western parts of Maine, while coastal areas are moderated slightly by the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in marginally milder winters and cooler summers than inland regions.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Dakota and delivery in Maine?
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 Maine.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Dakota to Maine?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Dakota to Maine, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Maine, 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 Maine, drivers must carry a minimum liability coverage of 50/100/25, requiring $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for all injuries per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, as per car insurance laws.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Dakota to Maine?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to Maine is about 1,757 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from South Dakota to Maine.
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.
The State of Maine requires annual safety inspections for all vehicles used on public roads to ensure they are in proper working condition and safe to operate. Safety inspections in Maine can be carried out at any official service station of the Maine Department of Transportation.
If I have a driver’s license in South Dakota, will I need one in Maine?
New residents of Maine are required to obtain a new state license within 30 days of establishing residency. If you are moving to Maine and possess a valid or recently expired (within the past 5 years) out-of-state driver's license from another US state, you can obtain a Class C license, including a REAL ID license, by visiting a Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.
If I bought a car in South Dakota, will I be required to pay sales tax in Maine after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Dakota to Maine after purchasing it.
Maine requires registered car owners to pay an annual excise tax for motor vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, and stock vehicles. This tax is calculated by multiplying the current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the vehicle by the mileage rate.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Dakota and Maine to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Maine?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Maine 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 Maine?
Shipping a car from South Dakota to Maine costs $1,146 to $1,801.
