Car Shipping Costs and Delivery Time for Popular Auto Transport Routes to and from Iowa
FROM | TO | DELIVERY TIME | PRICE* |
---|---|---|---|
Iowa | Idaho | 2-3 days | $999 - $1199 |
Iowa | Georgia | 1-2 days | $649 - $849 |
Iowa | Massachusetts | 2-3 days | $749 - $949 |
Iowa | Washington | 3-4 days | $999 - $1199 |
Iowa | Arizona | 2-3 days | $949 - $1149 |
Idaho | Iowa | 2-3 days | $949 - $1149 |
Georgia | Iowa | 1-2 days | $699 - $899 |
Massachusetts | Iowa | 2-3 days | $949 - $1149 |
Washington | Iowa | 3-4 days | $1049 - $1249 |
Arizona | Iowa | 2-3 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
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:

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
50001 | 50002 | 50003 | 50005 | 50006 |
50007 | 50008 | 50009 | 50010 | 50011 |
50012 | 50013 | 50014 | 50020 | 50021 |
50022 | 50023 | 50025 | 50026 | 50027 |
50028 | 50029 | 50031 | 50032 | 50033 |
50034 | 50035 | 50036 | 50037 | 50038 |
50039 | 50040 | 50041 | 50042 | 50043 |
50044 | 50046 | 50047 | 50048 | 50049 |
Route Overview and Driving Distance
Route | Distance (mi) | Notes |
---|---|---|
Des Moines, IA → Chicago, IL | ~330 | I-80 East, key Midwest corridor |
Des Moines, IA → Minneapolis, MN | ~245 | I-35 North |
Des Moines, IA → Kansas City, MO | ~190 | I-35 South |
Des Moines, IA → Denver, CO | ~650 | I-80 West |
Des Moines, IA → St. Louis, MO | ~335 | I-35 South → I-70 East |
Des Moines, IA → Dallas, TX | ~720 | I-35 South |
Des Moines, IA → New York, NY | ~1,120 | I-80 East cross-country |
Des Moines, IA → Los Angeles, CA | ~1,650 | I-80 West → I-15 South |
Des Moines, IA → Seattle, WA | ~1,750 | I-80 West → I-90 |
Des Moines, IA → Atlanta, GA | ~890 | I-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 / Region | Description |
---|---|
Des Moines | Primary auto shipping hub, capital city |
Cedar Rapids | Eastern Iowa, manufacturing hub |
Iowa City | University town, I-80 corridor |
Davenport (Quad Cities) | Mississippi River gateway |
Sioux City | Western border, I-29 corridor |
Waterloo | Industrial area with regional demand |
Ames | College town, near I-35/I-80 interchange |
Dubuque | Mississippi River port area |
Council Bluffs | Omaha metro access, I-80 hub |
Mason City | Northern IA, smaller shipments |
West Des Moines | Suburban pickups/drop-offs |
Coralville | Linked with Iowa City corridor |
Common Pickup & Dropoff Zones
Zone | Notes |
---|---|
Des Moines Airport area | Carrier-friendly staging |
Des Moines Industrial Parks | Accessible for large carriers |
Cedar Rapids Eastern Corridor | Common pickup hub |
Iowa City I-80 exits | Carrier meet-up points |
Quad Cities freight zones | High Mississippi River traffic |
Sioux City I-29 corridor | Truck staging area |
Ames University District | Seasonal student shipments |
Waterloo Industrial zones | Commercial shipments |
Dubuque Port area | Mississippi River freight tie-in |
Council Bluffs Truck Stops | Near Omaha interchange |
Gas Stations Along the Route
Corridor | Stations per 10 mi | Notes |
---|---|---|
I-80 across Iowa | ~6–7 | Consistent fueling options |
I-35 North (Des Moines → Minneapolis) | ~5–6 | Moderate fueling density |
I-35 South (Des Moines → KC) | ~6–7 | High truck stop density |
I-29 Sioux City corridor | ~5–6 | Good coverage |
Iowa City / Coralville | ~8–9 | Urban fueling |
Cedar Rapids metro | ~7–8 | Truck-friendly fueling |
Davenport (I-80) | ~6–7 | River crossing hub |
Council Bluffs (I-80/I-29) | ~7–8 | Truck corridor fueling |
Rural Western Iowa | ~3–4 | Sparser coverage |
Northern IA routes | ~4–5 | Moderate 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 / Time | Traffic Insight |
---|---|
Des Moines I-35/I-80 | Main bottleneck during rush hours |
Cedar Rapids I-380 | Moderate commuter congestion |
Iowa City (I-80) | Student-related congestion |
Davenport / Quad Cities | Bridge congestion on Mississippi |
Sioux City I-29 | Freight-heavy corridor |
Ames (I-35/I-30) | Rush hours during college semesters |
Council Bluffs | Interchange congestion with Omaha |
Morning rush | 7–9 am slowdowns in Des Moines |
Evening rush | 4–6 pm traffic spikes statewide |
Holiday weekends | Tourist 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
Season | Impact |
---|---|
Winter (Dec–Mar) | Snow & ice, delays common |
Blizzards | I-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 thaw | Weaker rural roads |
Heatwaves | Open-carrier cars exposed |
Holiday season | High shipping demand |
Fog | River 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
Regulation | Details |
---|---|
Oversize/overweight permits | Required >80,000 lbs |
Iowa DOT permits | 24–48 hours processing |
Weigh stations | On I-80, I-35, I-29 corridors |
Seasonal weight restrictions | Spring thaw limits in rural areas |
Hazmat routing | Restrictions near urban areas |
Farm equipment roads | Sharing highways with ag vehicles |
Urban restrictions | Limited downtown access |
Inspection zones | Iowa DOT checkpoints |
No toll highways | Iowa has toll-free interstate system |
Permit escorts | Required 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
Event | Impact |
---|---|
Iowa State Fair (Des Moines) | Severe local congestion |
University football games | Ames & Iowa City traffic jams |
RAGBRAI (bike ride) | Road closures across state |
Des Moines Arts Festival | Downtown delays |
Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival | July 4 closures |
Dubuque River Festival | Bridge congestion |
Quad Cities River Bandits games | Localized traffic |
County fairs | Seasonal rural congestion |
Holiday shopping season | Urban congestion statewide |
Farm shows | Ag equipment on highways |
Top tips for anyone moving to Iowa
Make your move to Iowa as hassle-free as possible
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
Factor | Description |
---|---|
Flat plains | Easy truck travel, low grades |
Mississippi River crossings | Bottlenecks at Davenport & Dubuque |
Missouri River crossing | Council Bluffs chokepoints |
Rural stretches | Long distances between stops |
Agricultural activity | Farm vehicles on highways |
River floodplains | Seasonal closures |
Wind exposure | High plains winds impact carriers |
Urban centers | Small, moderate congestion |
Bridge maintenance | Common delays along rivers |
Winter ice | Open, flat roads prone to black ice |
We provide car shipping services to/from Iowa, and across the country
Coast to coast, north to south, and anywhere else you need to ship your car
Coast to coast, north to south, and anywhere else you need to ship your car
Car transport to or from 48 other states
Estimated Transit Time & Cost
Route | Transit Time | Cost 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 season | Summer/winter | +15–25% surcharge |
Types of Vehicle Transportation Services we provide in Iowa
Make your choice for car transport
Make your choice for car transport
Service type:
Examples of Cars we Shipped to and from Iowa

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 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
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
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
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 .
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.