Car Shipping Costs and Delivery Time for Popular Auto Transport Routes to and from Iowa

FROMTODELIVERY TIMEPRICE*
IowaIdaho2-3 days$999 - $1199
IowaGeorgia1-2 days$649 - $849
Iowa Massachusetts2-3 days$749 - $949
IowaWashington3-4 days$999 - $1199
IowaArizona2-3 days$949 - $1149
IdahoIowa2-3 days$949 - $1149
GeorgiaIowa1-2 days$699 - $899
MassachusettsIowa 2-3 days$949 - $1149
WashingtonIowa3-4 days$1049 - $1249
ArizonaIowa2-3 days$749 - $949

* The Prices shown above reflect current market conditions as of 2025. Prices may vary due to seasonal fluctuations, fuel prices, location, etc.

SGT Auto Transport Reviews in Iowa

We have some core tenets that we bring to every auto transport job: professionalism, customer satisfaction, attention to detail and timeliness, among others. Take a look through our customer reviews and you’ll see the same commonalities with all of them, reflecting how we do business. That service mindset informs everything we do, and it shows in those reviews. Customers are the lifeblood of any service-oriented company, and we want all of our customers to feel valued as we partner with them for their cross country auto transport needs.

 

Get your quote fast in simple steps, calculate your vehicle transportation cost, and ship your car to another state with SGT Auto Transport!

Transport Your Car Across Country To or From Iowa - Car Shipping Quote

Transport Your Car Across Country To or From Iowa

Relocating, whether it’s to another state or to another apartment in the same building, is always a chore and presents all kinds of problems. At SGT Auto Transport, we want to be your Iowa auto transport company, because we’re problem solvers. Whether you’re moving or whether you need to get your vehicle from point A to point B for any number of other reasons, we want to be your go-to answer for cross country auto logistics tasks. Let’s dig in and get a closer look at what SGT Auto Transport can do to help when you need a car shipping company in Iowa: 

Vehicle transport to/from Iowa

Car Shipping Quote on Transportation to and from Iowa

For a lot of different kinds of services, getting an estimate meant getting on a phone call with a customer service rep for who-knows-how-long. Those days are over at SGT Auto Transport; we make getting a quote a simple process. Just locate the Quote Calculator feature on our website; it’ll ask you to put in a few pieces of information about your vehicle and your specific needs. Enter that information, wait a couple of seconds and you’ll soon have an accurate quote - it’s as simple as that. All of our quotes are considered valid for seven calendar days, and all quotes include verified carrier insurance rolled into the total. 

How does vehicle transport to/from Iowa work?

You can trust SGT Auto Transport with your auto transport needs because we’ve got years of experience. One of our specialties happens to be auto transport to/from Des Moines, Iowa. Our enthusiastic team will be on hand to guide you through the process and ensure you get the smooth car shipping experience you deserve.

For your convenience, we’ve honed the car shipping process, and to make things even easier for you, our experienced shipping advisors handle each step of the process for you. The end result for you is an auto transport to/from Des Moines, Iowa, and across the state that’s simple, swift, and great value for money.

It takes just 3 simple steps. Here they are:

Car Transportation Areas We Serve in Iowa

5000150002500035000550006
5000750008500095001050011
5001250013500145002050021
5002250023500255002650027
5002850029500315003250033
5003450035500365003750038
5003950040500415004250043
5004450046500475004850049

Car Transportation Areas We Serve in Iowa

See below all zip code areas we serve in Iowa.

We operate in all states and can transport your vehicle to any location across the US. Our most popular cities in Iowa are: Ames, Ankeny, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Iowa City, Sioux City, Waterloo, West Des Moines.

Contact our team to get more information on the prices and delivery time to or from Iowa or any other state or ZIP code area.

5005050051500525005450055
5005650057500585005950060
5006150062500635006450065
5006650067500685006950070
5007150072500735007450075
5007650078500995010150102
5010350104501055010650107
5010850109501105011150112
5011550116501175011850119
5012050122501235012450125
5012650127501285012950130
5013150132501335013450135
5013650137501385013950140
5014150142501435014450145
5014650147501485014950150
5015150152501535015450155
5015650157501585016050161
5016250163501645016550166
5016750168501695017050171
5017350174502015020650207
5020850210502115021250213
5021450216502175021850219
5022050222502235022550226
5022750228502295023050231
5023250233502345023550236
5023750238502395024050241
5024250243502445024650247
5024850249502505025150252
5025450255502565025750258
5025950261502625026350264
5026550266502685026950271
5027250273502745027550276
5027750278503015030250303
5030450305503065030750308
5030950310503115031250313
5031450315503165031750318
5031950320503215032250323
5032450325503275032850329
5033050331503325033350334
5033550336503395034050359
5036050361503625036350364
5036750368503695038050381
5039150392503935039450395
5039650398504015040250420
5042150423504245042650427
5042850430504315043250433
5043450435504365043850439
5044050441504445044650447
5044850449504505045150452
5045350454504555045650457
5045850459504605046150464
5046550466504675046850469
5047050471504725047350475
5047650477504785047950480
5048150482504835048450501
5051050511505145051550516
5051750518505195052050521
5052250523505245052550526
5052750528505295053050531
5053250533505355053650538
5053950540505415054250543
5054450545505465054850551
5055250554505565055750558
5055950560505615056250563
5056550566505675056850569
5057050571505735057450575
5057650577505785057950581
5058250583505855058650588
5059050591505925059350594
5059550597505985059950601
5060250603506045060550606
5060750608506095061150612
5061350614506165061950620
5062150622506235062450625
5062650627506285062950630
5063150632506335063450635

How much does car transport to and from Iowa cost?

Many different things can impact the cost of auto transport to/from Des Moines, Iowa, and across the state. The most apparent include the distance and make and model of your car. However, several other just as important things to bear in mind, whether you’re looking for car shipping to/from Iowa. These factors include:

distance icon
Distance
red calendar icon
Pick-up date
Painted red road and grey road contours
Route
blue and red vehicle icon
Vehicle (Make and Model)
vehicle condition icon
Vehicle condition
blue and red truck icon
Transport method
sun and snowflake seasonality icon
Seasonality
discount icon
Discount

Route Overview and Driving Distance

RouteDistance (mi)Notes
Des Moines, IA → Chicago, IL~330I-80 East, key Midwest corridor
Des Moines, IA → Minneapolis, MN~245I-35 North
Des Moines, IA → Kansas City, MO~190I-35 South
Des Moines, IA → Denver, CO~650I-80 West
Des Moines, IA → St. Louis, MO~335I-35 South → I-70 East
Des Moines, IA → Dallas, TX~720I-35 South
Des Moines, IA → New York, NY~1,120I-80 East cross-country
Des Moines, IA → Los Angeles, CA~1,650I-80 West → I-15 South
Des Moines, IA → Seattle, WA~1,750I-80 West → I-90
Des Moines, IA → Atlanta, GA~890I-35 South → I-70 East

How long does vehicle transport to or from Iowa take?

If the distance your car has to travel is less than 200 miles, the average time it takes for auto transport to/from Iowa is 1-2 days. However, when the distance is much longer, for example, 2,000 miles or more, the average time it takes is up to 9 days. However, rest assured, we’ll do our utmost to make your car shipping experience a positive one and meet your expectations regarding speed of service.

The times given above are just benchmark figures as many things can affect how long Iowa car shippers take to deliver your car. These factors include seasonality, distance, weather conditions, driver’s hours, detours, traffic, and road construction. If you need to ship your car quicker than the standard time frame, we can expedite the process if you book guaranteed pick-up or express car shipping.

Neighboring Areas Served

City / RegionDescription
Des MoinesPrimary auto shipping hub, capital city
Cedar RapidsEastern Iowa, manufacturing hub
Iowa CityUniversity town, I-80 corridor
Davenport (Quad Cities)Mississippi River gateway
Sioux CityWestern border, I-29 corridor
WaterlooIndustrial area with regional demand
AmesCollege town, near I-35/I-80 interchange
DubuqueMississippi River port area
Council BluffsOmaha metro access, I-80 hub
Mason CityNorthern IA, smaller shipments
West Des MoinesSuburban pickups/drop-offs
CoralvilleLinked with Iowa City corridor

Our ratings make us one of the best auto transport companies shipping in the Iowa

4.7
/ 2,000 reviews /
4.7
/ 12,001 reviews /
4.5
/ 300 reviews /
4.6
/ 1,100 reviews /

Common Pickup & Dropoff Zones

ZoneNotes
Des Moines Airport areaCarrier-friendly staging
Des Moines Industrial ParksAccessible for large carriers
Cedar Rapids Eastern CorridorCommon pickup hub
Iowa City I-80 exitsCarrier meet-up points
Quad Cities freight zonesHigh Mississippi River traffic
Sioux City I-29 corridorTruck staging area
Ames University DistrictSeasonal student shipments
Waterloo Industrial zonesCommercial shipments
Dubuque Port areaMississippi River freight tie-in
Council Bluffs Truck StopsNear Omaha interchange

Gas Stations Along the Route

CorridorStations per 10 miNotes
I-80 across Iowa~6–7Consistent fueling options
I-35 North (Des Moines → Minneapolis)~5–6Moderate fueling density
I-35 South (Des Moines → KC)~6–7High truck stop density
I-29 Sioux City corridor~5–6Good coverage
Iowa City / Coralville~8–9Urban fueling
Cedar Rapids metro~7–8Truck-friendly fueling
Davenport (I-80)~6–7River crossing hub
Council Bluffs (I-80/I-29)~7–8Truck corridor fueling
Rural Western Iowa~3–4Sparser coverage
Northern IA routes~4–5Moderate availability

Why Should You Choose Us? What Makes SGT Auto Transport one the best Car Shipping companies in Iowa?

When you need an Iowa car shipping company, there are all kinds of solid reasons to turn to SGT Auto Transport first:

We’ve carefully assembled a team of over 25,000 professional transport drivers around the country, for efficient coverage and flexibility

We offer no-nonsense pricing; any quote from us is final, with no added fees, tacked-on surcharges or surprises

We have adopted the latest logistics technologies to stay one step ahead and to help our processes all go smoothly

We’ve got more than a decade of experience in this business, with over 100,000 vehicles transported and over 70,000 customers served 

A business philosophy that’s centered around customers and their needs, first and foremost

Hundreds of positive reviews and great feedback on places like TrustPilot, Google, Yelp, BBB and various logistics websites 

Traffic Patterns & Timing

Area / TimeTraffic Insight
Des Moines I-35/I-80Main bottleneck during rush hours
Cedar Rapids I-380Moderate commuter congestion
Iowa City (I-80)Student-related congestion
Davenport / Quad CitiesBridge congestion on Mississippi
Sioux City I-29Freight-heavy corridor
Ames (I-35/I-30)Rush hours during college semesters
Council BluffsInterchange congestion with Omaha
Morning rush7–9 am slowdowns in Des Moines
Evening rush4–6 pm traffic spikes statewide
Holiday weekendsTourist congestion along I-80

Types of Vehicle Transportation Services we provide in Iowa

As your Iowa car shipping company, we know that no two customers will present the same situation; that’s why we’ve developed a few different options for your vehicle and your needs:

Open car transport: efficient and economical, this is the most popular method for auto transport with our customers. Your car is loaded onto a double-decker auto transport trailer with several others; while it’s exposed to the elements and possibly some road grit, it’s the most cost-effective option that we offer. 

Enclosed car transport: this is perfect for a very valuable, antique or delicate car. With enclosed car transport, your vehicle will be loaded into a trailer (all metal or tarp sides), then locked in so it’s protected on all four sides on its trip. Enclosed car transport comes at an enhanced cost, but it offers better security and monitoring. 

Express car transport: we know that situations arise and it’s not always easy to plan ahead a couple of weeks when you need to transport a car across country. We can help arrange hotshot car transport on short notice, although it might come at a premium price. 

Door-to-door transport: we offer the ultimate convenience by picking up your vehicle right in front of your house at a guaranteed time and date, then dropping it off again at its precise destination at a guaranteed time. 

Cross-country auto shipping: cost per mile is a big part of any logistics company’s pricing structure. The good news is that when you have to cover several hundred miles, cost/mile actually starts to drop, making cross-country auto shipping a great value. 

Seasonal Road & Weather Impact

SeasonImpact
Winter (Dec–Mar)Snow & ice, delays common
BlizzardsI-80/I-35 closures possible
Spring (Apr–May)Flooding along rivers
Summer (Jun–Aug)Road construction delays
Tornado season (Apr–Jun)Storm-related detours
Fall (Sep–Nov)Stable weather, smoother shipping
Spring thawWeaker rural roads
HeatwavesOpen-carrier cars exposed
Holiday seasonHigh shipping demand
FogRiver valleys with low visibility

Prepare Your Vehicle for a cross-country Auto Transportation to or from Iowa

When the transport driver gets to your location to pick up your vehicle, there are a few things you can do to ensure a trouble-free experience:

If your car can’t start, run, steer and stop under its own power, that’s something we’d need to know in advance. We do ship non-running vehicles, but it requires extra equipment and time on the part of the driver.

Remember that vehicle curb weight is a big factor in shipping rates. Shipping your car with a quarter tank of fuel or less means a break in curb weight, and saves you money.

Don’t forget the driver will need a copy of the car’s ignition key, and don’t forget to keep the driver’s mobile phone number so you can stay in touch while he’s en route. 

Please be sure your car’s battery is charged up completely, all four tires are fully inflated and headlights and taillights work.

Some neighborhoods and cities prohibit commercial trucks on residential streets. If that’s the case where you live (or if your street is too congested for an 18-wheeler), consider a rendezvous with your transport driver at an easier spot, such as an open parking lot. 

Before your car gets loaded onto the trailer, the driver will ask you to do a quick inspection to document its condition (he will do the same for his Bill of Lading report). It’s a good idea to take pictures, and also to give your car a wash job first - it’d be easier to spot minor dings or scrapes on a clean vehicle.

We request that you remove personal items from your vehicle; it’s against DOT regulations to ship a car with personal stuff in the passenger compartment or on the same trailer. You can, however, ship up to 100 lbs of personal items secured in the trunk.

Local Road Permits & Regulations

RegulationDetails
Oversize/overweight permitsRequired >80,000 lbs
Iowa DOT permits24–48 hours processing
Weigh stationsOn I-80, I-35, I-29 corridors
Seasonal weight restrictionsSpring thaw limits in rural areas
Hazmat routingRestrictions near urban areas
Farm equipment roadsSharing highways with ag vehicles
Urban restrictionsLimited downtown access
Inspection zonesIowa DOT checkpoints
No toll highwaysIowa has toll-free interstate system
Permit escortsRequired for oversize cargo

Advantages of working with SGT Auto Transport for Iowa Vehicle Shipping

There are all kinds of good reasons for picking SGT Auto Transport as your Iowa car shipping company:

In the business world as much as in the personal realm, everything turns on relationships. 

That’s why we want every customer to feel like they’re a partner in what we do; we’re professionals, we’re car enthusiasts ourselves, and we have an appreciation for every customer’s vehicle and their needs.

We treat every car like it’s one of our own, and that carries over into our service too: punctuality, attention to detail, and a variety of options that let us customize every auto logistics experience around your vehicle, your timeframe, your budget and your expectations. 

We’re innovators, using the latest technology to enhance our business processes and service for you, the customer. 

We’re car enthusiasts ourselves - we treat every vehicle with the same respect and care as if it were one of our own. 

Local Events Affecting Delivery

EventImpact
Iowa State Fair (Des Moines)Severe local congestion
University football gamesAmes & Iowa City traffic jams
RAGBRAI (bike ride)Road closures across state
Des Moines Arts FestivalDowntown delays
Cedar Rapids Freedom FestivalJuly 4 closures
Dubuque River FestivalBridge congestion
Quad Cities River Bandits gamesLocalized traffic
County fairsSeasonal rural congestion
Holiday shopping seasonUrban congestion statewide
Farm showsAg equipment on highways

Top tips for anyone moving to Iowa

Make your move to Iowa as hassle-free as possible

Top 5 hints for transporting/moving to this state

After moving to the state, new residents have 30 days to get an Iowa driver’s license. New IA residents must register an out-of-state vehicle within 30 days.

If you’re moving to Iowa from states like California, it might take a while before you get used to Iowa’s harsh and, some say, brutal winters. Temperature can drop below 0 °F and could reach -20 °F in January. The state can also experience pretty much every kind of weather you can think of, and things can change at the drop of a hat.

According to The 10 Most Affordable States by US News, Iowa takes the #1 spot overall, coming in at #1 for housing and #13 for its cost of living.

Ranked #17 among states with the best schools by USA Today, Iowa boasts the highest high-school graduation rate at 91.3%. It also has the 18th highest public-school spending per pupil. Iowa is also known for its cutting-edge agriculture degree programs.

Iowa is the 20th best state for health care. It has one of the best health care accesses in the country, as well as having high quality and being affordable. You’ll also have access to some of the best hospitals in the US.

Local Geographical & Terrain Factors

FactorDescription
Flat plainsEasy truck travel, low grades
Mississippi River crossingsBottlenecks at Davenport & Dubuque
Missouri River crossingCouncil Bluffs chokepoints
Rural stretchesLong distances between stops
Agricultural activityFarm vehicles on highways
River floodplainsSeasonal closures
Wind exposureHigh plains winds impact carriers
Urban centersSmall, moderate congestion
Bridge maintenanceCommon delays along rivers
Winter iceOpen, flat roads prone to black ice

Estimated Transit Time & Cost

RouteTransit TimeCost Estimate
IA → IL (Chicago ~330 mi)1–2 days$400–$650
IA → MN (~245 mi)1 day$350–$550
IA → MO (Kansas City ~190 mi)1 day$300–$500
IA → CO (~650 mi)2–3 days$650–$950
IA → TX (~720 mi)2–3 days$700–$1,050
IA → NY (~1,120 mi)3–5 days$950–$1,400
IA → CA (~1,650 mi)5–7 days$1,200–$1,700
IA → WA (~1,750 mi)5–7 days$1,250–$1,800
Local IA moves (<150 mi)Same day$250–$450
Enclosed transport+1–2 days+40–60% cost
Average per mile$0.45–$1.10/mile
Peak seasonSummer/winter+15–25% surcharge

Examples of Cars we Shipped to and from Iowa

Cadillac Coupe DeVille 1991 Shipped to Iowa ZIP: 50001

Cadillac Coupe DeVille 1991 Shipped to Iowa ZIP: 50001

You don’t see many of these early 90s Cadillacs around anymore; this one’s owner wanted to keep it pristine and didn’t want to take it on the road himself, so we shipped it via enclosed car transport. 

Cadillac LYRIQ 2024 Shipped to Iowa ZIP: 50041

Cadillac LYRIQ 2024 Shipped to Wyoming ZIP: 83113

The LYRIQ is an elegant, feature-packed crossover SUV that was shipped via open car transport (note the trailer in the background), arriving in immaculate shape to its Iowa destination. 

Infiniti G25 2012 Shipped to Iowa ZIP: 50020

Infiniti G25 2012 Shipped to Iowa ZIP: 50020

Here’s a great example of how open car shipping works; this Infiniti G25 was loaded onto a double decker trailer, and our very capable transport driver got it to Iowa right on schedule

Lexus RX 2023 Shipped to Iowa ZIP: 50027

Lexus RX 2023 Shipped to Iowa ZIP: 50027

The Lexus RX combines blistering performance with luxury and style, and this RX’s owner wanted to get it to its Iowa destination ASAP. As you can see, we shipped this car via open car transport on a flatbed, via express shipping, to its very happy owner.

POLARIS RZR PRO R Shipped to Iowa ZIP: 50042

POLARIS RZR PRO R Shipped to Iowa ZIP: 50042

In addition to cars and trucks, SGT Auto Transport can also handle motorcycles and ATVs like this Polaris! As you can see, it was shipped via enclosed car transport and got to Iowa at a guaranteed time and date, to everyone’s satisfaction . 

Local Car Dealerships in Iowa

If you find yourself looking at a new car at any dealership in Iowa, or indeed looking for vehicles online, don’t hesitate to include us in your plans.
 

We can arrange a pick-up directly from the dealer and have your new vehicle delivered to your door.
 

NameAddressPhone
McGrath Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram4610 Center Point Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402(319) 253-2386
McGrath Toyota of Iowa City1445 IA-1, Iowa City, IA 52246(319) 766-6222
Deery Brothers Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Iowa City651 Hwy 1 W, Iowa City, IA 52246(319) 600-6890
Billion Auto - Chevrolet GMC of Iowa City2733 Mormon Trek Blvd, Iowa City, IA 52240(319) 359-6905
Dan Deery Motors - Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT3900 Alexandra Dr, Waterloo, IA 50702(319) 233-5000
McGrath Buick GMC Cadillac1600A 51st St NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402(319) 393-3300
Sky Auto Mall1001 Ford Ln, Center Point, IA 52213(319) 849-2022
Cassill Motors2939 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404(319) 393-6298
McGrath Ford1040 N Center Point Rd, Hiawatha, IA 52233(319) 364-0181
Houdek Auto Center150 7th Ave, Marion, IA 52302(319) 447-6355
Iowa Auto Brokers937 Blairs Ferry Rd, Marion, IA 52302(319) 366-2100

Local Car Auctions in Iowa

Another option for anyone looking to buy a new car is to head off to a local car auction. Some great deals are waiting for you, and we can arrange for your latest purchase to be delivered to your home.

You can trust us to provide budget-friendly car shipping with no hidden costs and can customize the service to meet your requirements.

NameAddressPhone
Plaza Auto Auction320 Business 30 SW, Mt Vernon, IA 52314(319) 895-6232
Dealers Choice Auto Auction503 Wapello St S, Mediapolis, IA 52637(319) 394-3510
Sharpless Auctions5049 Herbert Hoover Hwy NE, Iowa City, IA 52240(319) 351-8888
Five Star Auction2530 IA-22, Riverside, IA 52327(319) 430-2711

Frequently Asked Questions about Car Shipping Services in Iowa

How much does it cost to ship a car from Washington to Iowa?

Washington to Iowa is a fairly long run; we calculate 3 to 4 days and rates of $999 to $1199.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Idaho to Iowa?

We’ve done the Idaho to Iowa run before; this is a 2-3 day job and should cost $999 to $1199.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Georgia to Iowa?

Georgia to Iowa is a fairly long, but direct run; figure on 1 to 2 days and charges of $649 to $849.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Massachusetts to Iowa?

Barring weather or other delays, Massachusetts to Iowa should take no more than 3 days and cost around $749 to $949.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Arizona to Iowa?

Arizona to Iowa means a lot of miles; this is a 2 to 3 day job and should cost $949 to $1149.