South Dakota to Washington Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 1,246 miles from South Dakota to Washington typically falls between $980 and $1,429. The process usually takes two–eight days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington:
- 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
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in South Dakota who can get your vehicle to Washington:
- 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 Washington
Ship it with your movers
When moving from South Dakota to Washington, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 1,246 miles to your car on the trip from South Dakota to Washington. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from South Dakota to Washington is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
South Dakota to Washington 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 Washington. 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 Washington
| From South Dakota to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD to Seattle, WA | $1,066 – $1,509 | 1,477 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Spokane, WA | $899 – $1,380 | 1,199 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Tacoma, WA | $1,066 – $1,556 | 1,490 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Vancouver, WA | $1,067 – $1,651 | 1,554 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux Falls, SD to Bellevue, WA | $1,014 – $1,556 | 1,471 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rapid City, SD to Washington
| From South Dakota to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD to Seattle, WA | $847 – $1,340 | 1,134 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Spokane, WA | $796 – $1,165 | 856 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Tacoma, WA | $821 – $1,340 | 1,147 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Vancouver, WA | $915 – $1,357 | 1,211 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rapid City, SD to Bellevue, WA | $839 – $1,367 | 1,128 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aberdeen, SD to Washington
| From South Dakota to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen, SD to Seattle, WA | $1,030 – $1,436 | 1,349 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Spokane, WA | $810 – $1,283 | 1,071 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Tacoma, WA | $951 – $1,556 | 1,363 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Vancouver, WA | $1,045 – $1,618 | 1,426 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Aberdeen, SD to Bellevue, WA | $951 – $1,511 | 1,343 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Brookings, SD to Washington
| From South Dakota to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings, SD to Seattle, WA | $1,122 – $1,508 | 1,521 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Spokane, WA | $906 – $1,443 | 1,243 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Brookings, SD to Tacoma, WA | $1,156 – $1,651 | 1,534 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Vancouver, WA | $1,111 – $1,556 | 1,597 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Brookings, SD to Bellevue, WA | $1,056 – $1,588 | 1,515 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Watertown, SD to Washington
| From South Dakota to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown, SD to Seattle, WA | $1,056 – $1,556 | 1,445 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Watertown, SD to Spokane, WA | $856 – $1,353 | 1,167 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Watertown, SD to Tacoma, WA | $1,014 – $1,587 | 1,458 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Watertown, SD to Vancouver, WA | $1,089 – $1,619 | 1,522 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Watertown, SD to Bellevue, WA | $1,014 – $1,478 | 1,439 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Dakota to Washington
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from South Dakota to Washington, the price usually falls between $1,225 and $1,786.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from South Dakota to Washington
When arranging car transport from the Mount Rushmore State to the Evergreen State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Washington than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The route from South Dakota to Washington is about 1,246 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from South Dakota around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between South Dakota and Washington.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within two–eight days, but expedited options cost more.
Washington vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Washington, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance requirements: Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
- Vehicle inspection: In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
- Driver’s license: To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.
- Additional taxes: If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.
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 Washington
About 7.8 million people are living in the Evergreen State. Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in South Dakota and delivery in Washington?
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 Washington.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Dakota to Washington?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Dakota to Washington, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Washington, 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.
Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Dakota to Washington?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Dakota to Washington 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 Washington.
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 the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
If I have a driver’s license in South Dakota, will I need one in Washington?
To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.
If I bought a car in South Dakota, will I be required to pay sales tax in Washington after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Dakota to Washington after purchasing it.
If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Dakota and Washington to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Washington?
The cheapest way to ship a car from South Dakota to Washington 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 Washington?
Shipping a car from South Dakota to Washington costs $980 to $1,429.
