South Dakota’s moving market is defined by geography unlike any other plains state: its two major metros sit 350 miles apart on opposite ends of the state via I-90, and roughly half the population lives in rural areas served by no large metro at all. Sioux Falls anchors the eastern border near Iowa and Minnesota; Rapid City anchors the west near the Black Hills. A move between the two crosses nearly the entire state – covering more ground than most multi-state moves in the Northeast.
Migration data is mixed. Atlas Van Lines ranked South Dakota ninth in outbound moves in 2024 (57% outbound), with Sioux Falls recording the highest outbound rate of any Great Plains city. United Van Lines showed a closer split at 53% outbound, and U-Haul placed the state 19th on its 2024 Growth Index with nearly balanced truck traffic. Census Bureau data confirms 4.3% population growth from 2020 to July 2024, reaching 924,669, though growth slowed from 2023 to 2024. The primary inbound corridor draws from Minnesota, Iowa, and the Omaha metro, drawn by South Dakota’s lack of personal and corporate income tax.
South Dakota does not require intrastate moving companies to hold a state-issued household goods license – there is no state PUC or DOT registration system specific to movers. The South Dakota Division of Consumer Protection recommends verifying any mover’s FMCSA registration and obtaining a written Order for Service or Bill of Lading before any move begins. Complaints can be filed at consumer.protection@state.sd.us. Peak season runs June through August; winter months are severe, with Sioux Falls averaging single-digit lows in January and Black Hills weather patterns capable of closing I-90 access to Rapid City.
Top-Rated Movers in South Dakota
Advanced Moving
Address: 305 S Western Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Website: https://www.advancedmovingsd.com
USDOT: #961086
A family-owned and operated Sioux Falls company that the Ahlers family has run for more than 24 years, with prior ownership of Academy Moving in Colorado Springs adding another 13 years of industry experience. Advanced Moving employs full-time movers (no day labor) and uses trucks equipped with moving pads on every job. Services include local and long-distance residential and commercial moves, full and partial packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and climate-controlled storage. The company provides exact quotes upfront and a 90% referral rate cited on their website signals consistent customer satisfaction. Service area covers Sioux Falls and surrounding communities including Brookings, Mitchell, and Vermillion.
Brouwer Relocation (Atlas Van Lines agent)
Address: 4800 N Velocity Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Website: https://www.brouwerrelocation.com
USDOT: #599995
Family-owned since 1969, Brouwer Relocation serves South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota as an Atlas Van Lines agent, with access to Atlas’s national and international network for moves beyond the region. Their 25,000 sq ft Sioux Falls warehouse accommodates residential, commercial, and records storage. Services include full-service local and long-distance residential moves, commercial office moves, records management and document storage, and a no-salesperson Video Quoter tool that allows customers to get estimates without an in-home visit. The company holds a BBB A rating and earns 96% positive ratings across 220 verified reviews. Brouwer is among the larger full-service operations in South Dakota.
Thomas & Sons Moving Company
Address: 3333 Sturgis Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702
Website: https://www.thomasandsonsmoving.com
USDOT: #2997736
A family-owned mover based in Rapid City serving the western half of South Dakota since 2013, Thomas & Sons holds an A+ BBB rating and averages 4.7 stars from 125 Google reviews. The company covers local and long-distance residential and commercial moves, packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and specialty items including pianos and gun safes. Customers receive complimentary moving pads and dollies. Service area includes Rapid City and surrounding communities such as Spearfish, Box Elder, Sturgis, Hot Springs, Winner, and Fort Pierre, making Thomas & Sons the primary locally-owned option for western South Dakota moves. DOT certified to operate on all road types nationwide.
Moving Companies in South Dakota: Common Questions
Is my mover required to hold a state license in South Dakota?
South Dakota does not issue a state-specific moving license for household goods carriers operating within state lines. Unlike many neighboring states, there is no PUC or DOT registration process specific to intrastate movers. However, companies performing interstate moves must be registered with the FMCSA and hold a valid USDOT number, which you can verify at fmcsa.dot.gov. To protect yourself, the South Dakota Division of Consumer Protection recommends requesting a written estimate and requiring a signed Bill of Lading or Order for Service before any mover touches your belongings. File unresolved complaints at consumer.protection@state.sd.us.
How do moving costs in South Dakota compare to neighboring states?
South Dakota’s cost of living is generally lower than neighboring Minnesota and Colorado, which typically keeps mover hourly rates competitive. The lack of state-regulated tariffs means prices are negotiated between consumers and movers without a filed rate schedule. Pricing varies between Sioux Falls (where more competition exists) and Rapid City or rural areas where fewer local movers operate. Contact movers directly for current pricing – verified review data does not provide a reliable statewide average for South Dakota given the small number of available reviews.
How does South Dakota’s geography affect long-distance moves within the state?
South Dakota’s two major metros are roughly 350 miles apart via I-90 – a longer haul than moves between many eastern states. Moving from Sioux Falls to Rapid City is priced as a long-distance move and typically takes a full day of driving plus load and unload time. Rural areas in the central part of the state, including the Missouri River corridor, can add significant distance to any move, and some rural roads have spring weight restrictions that limit heavy truck access during freeze-thaw periods. Winter conditions on I-90 through the Badlands, and on I-29 along the Minnesota border, can delay moves planned for November through March.
When is the best time of year to move in South Dakota?
Peak moving season runs June through August, when school schedules and warmer temperatures make moves more convenient. Sioux Falls winters average high temperatures below freezing from November through February, with lows in the single digits in January. Rapid City weather is more variable due to the Black Hills, with sudden blizzards possible from October through April – including storms that can close I-90. Moving during shoulder seasons (May or September) offers a balance of reasonable weather and greater mover availability than peak summer months.
How can I protect myself from rogue or unlicensed movers in South Dakota?
Because South Dakota does not maintain a state registry of licensed movers, consumers face less consumer protection infrastructure than residents of regulated states. The strongest verification step is to confirm the mover’s USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before signing anything. Always get a written estimate, and require a signed Bill of Lading or Order for Service that clearly states liability coverage and valuation options before the move begins. Avoid any mover that asks for a large upfront deposit, refuses to provide a written estimate, or cannot produce a USDOT number on request. Unresolved disputes can be filed with the South Dakota Division of Consumer Protection.