North Dakota Car Shipping Services

Shipping to Western North Dakota, specifically Williston, Minot, or Dickinson, often carries a "rural surcharge" compared to Fargo or Bismarck. Because these areas are further from the primary I-29 and I-94 corridors, carriers have fewer opportunities for "back-haul" loads. In 2026, expect to pay roughly $200–$400 more for deliveries to the oil patch than you would for a drop-off in Fargo, as drivers must factor in the extra fuel and time required for these remote routes.

North Dakota is notorious for closing I-94 and I-29 entirely during ground blizzards or extreme ice events. If your delivery window falls between November and April, your timeline may shift by 48 to 72 hours with little notice. Professional carriers prioritize safety and will often stage vehicles in Minneapolis or Billings until the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) reopens the interstates. We recommend a flexible delivery window during the winter months to account for these unavoidable "Big Sky" weather delays.

Many customers moving for work in the energy sector ask for delivery to "man camps" or rural work sites. Most 80-foot car carriers cannot navigate the narrow, unpaved access roads found in rural McKenzie or Williams County. If your destination is a work site, your driver will typically coordinate a meeting point at a large, paved location—such as a local Walmart in Williston or a designated truck stop along Highway 2—to ensure a safe and level offloading process.

This is one of the most common "work-intent" routes we handle. Because of the constant flow of workers between the Southern oil patches and the Bakken, there is a high volume of carriers moving along the US-81 and I-35/I-29 corridor. This high demand actually works in your favor, as frequent carrier availability often leads to faster pickup times (usually within 24–48 hours) and more competitive rates for these north-south routes.

Once your vehicle is delivered and you have established residency, you have 60 days to title and register your vehicle in North Dakota. We recommend keeping your "Bill of Lading" provided by the driver at delivery; this document serves as proof of when the vehicle entered the state, which can be helpful if there are any questions regarding the timing of your registration or tax assessments.

Absolutely. We frequently deliver vehicles for students and faculty at North Dakota State University (Fargo) and the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks). Because campus parking can be congested, we typically arrange delivery at a large peripheral lot, such as the Fargodome or near the Ralph Engelstad Arena, where the carrier has plenty of room to safely maneuver and unload the vehicle without blocking student traffic.

North Dakota does not require a traditional "safety inspection," but the NDDOT does require a physical VIN verification for any vehicle with an out-of-state title. This is a quick process often handled at the local police station or DMV office. Once our carrier unloads your vehicle, we recommend completing this verification within the first week to ensure your registration process goes smoothly before the state's 30-day residency deadline.