South Dakota to Montana Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

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 Montana.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to Montana is about 662 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from South Dakota to Montana.

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 you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.

New residents in Montana must start their driver’s license application process within 60 days of moving to the state.

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

In Montana, there is no state-level sales tax on vehicles, however, local governments in Montana may impose their own taxes and fees on vehicles.

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Montana is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.

Shipping a car from South Dakota to Montana costs $796 to $1,110.