South Dakota to Tennessee Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,141 miles from South Dakota to Tennessee ranges from $886 to $1,345 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 Tennessee to South Dakota car shipping guide.

The best South Dakota to Tennessee 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 Tennessee:

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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Check prices (833) 775-1461
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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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 Tennessee

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,141 miles on your car going from South Dakota to Tennessee. 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee 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 TN 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 Tennessee. The average travel distance is about 1,141 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

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

From South Dakota to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sioux Falls, SD to Nashville, TN $795 – $1,284 918 miles 2 – 7 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Memphis, TN $815 – $1,173 813 miles 2 – 7 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Clarksville, TN $808 – $1,169 874 miles 2 – 7 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Knoxville, TN $813 – $1,288 1,095 miles 2 – 8 days
Sioux Falls, SD to Chattanooga, TN $838 – $1,353 1,048 miles 2 – 8 days

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

From South Dakota to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Rapid City, SD to Nashville, TN $995 – $1,493 1,260 miles 3 – 8 days
Rapid City, SD to Memphis, TN $842 – $1,401 1,155 miles 2 – 8 days
Rapid City, SD to Clarksville, TN $957 – $1,479 1,216 miles 2 – 8 days
Rapid City, SD to Knoxville, TN $1,049 – $1,594 1,437 miles 3 – 8 days
Rapid City, SD to Chattanooga, TN $975 – $1,595 1,389 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Aberdeen, SD to Tennessee

From South Dakota to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Aberdeen, SD to Nashville, TN $895 – $1,387 1,117 miles 2 – 8 days
Aberdeen, SD to Memphis, TN $797 – $1,288 1,012 miles 2 – 8 days
Aberdeen, SD to Clarksville, TN $773 – $1,288 1,073 miles 2 – 8 days
Aberdeen, SD to Knoxville, TN $909 – $1,420 1,239 miles 2 – 8 days
Aberdeen, SD to Chattanooga, TN $928 – $1,391 1,246 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Brookings, SD to Tennessee

From South Dakota to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Brookings, SD to Nashville, TN $844 – $1,270 971 miles 2 – 7 days
Brookings, SD to Memphis, TN $857 – $1,255 866 miles 2 – 7 days
Brookings, SD to Clarksville, TN $812 – $1,322 926 miles 2 – 7 days
Brookings, SD to Knoxville, TN $877 – $1,415 1,148 miles 2 – 8 days
Brookings, SD to Chattanooga, TN $842 – $1,442 1,100 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Watertown, SD to Tennessee

From South Dakota to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Watertown, SD to Nashville, TN $830 – $1,353 1,017 miles 2 – 8 days
Watertown, SD to Memphis, TN $836 – $1,322 913 miles 2 – 7 days
Watertown, SD to Clarksville, TN $819 – $1,308 973 miles 2 – 7 days
Watertown, SD to Knoxville, TN $912 – $1,428 1,194 miles 2 – 8 days
Watertown, SD to Chattanooga, TN $877 – $1,456 1,147 miles 2 – 8 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to Tennessee

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 Tennessee you should expect to pay between $1,108 and $1,681.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from SD to TN

When transporting your vehicle from the Mount Rushmore State to the Volunteer 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 Tennessee.
  • Distance and route: The journey from South Dakota to Tennessee spans approximately 1,141 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Tennessee vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
  • Driver’s license: To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.
  • Additional taxes: When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.

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 Tennessee

About 22 million people are living in the Volunteer State. Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.

FAQ

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

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 Tennessee.

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

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

Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to Tennessee is about 1,141 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 Tennessee.

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.

In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.

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

To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.

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

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

When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.

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

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

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

Shipping a car from South Dakota to Tennessee costs $886 to $1,345.

Helpful South Dakota resources