$1,600 Car Shippers from Iowa to California (2024 Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car the 1847 miles from Iowa to California ranges from $1,600 to $2,212 and takes 3-11 days.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Iowa car shipping guide.
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The average cost to ship a car from Iowa to California
Because the distance between Iowa to California is about 1847 miles, it’ll take from 3 to 11 days to complete your car shipment.
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to California
- Des Moines to Los Angeles: $1,398 to $2,012
- Des Moines to San Diego: $1,537 to $2,122
- Des Moines to San Jose: $1,507 to $2,280
- Des Moines to San Francisco: $1,477 to $2,273
- Des Moines to Fresno: $1,538 to $2,212
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to California
- Cedar Rapids to Los Angeles: $1,492 to $2,349
- Cedar Rapids to San Diego: $1,461 to $2,189
- Cedar Rapids to San Jose: $1,623 to $2,393
- Cedar Rapids to San Francisco: $1,639 to $2,322
- Cedar Rapids to Fresno: $1,577 to $2,251
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to California
- Davenport to Los Angeles: $1,523 to $2,303
- Davenport to San Diego: $1,483 to $2,464
- Davenport to San Jose: $1,514 to $2,488
- Davenport to San Francisco: $1,545 to $2,464
- Davenport to Fresno: $1,514 to $2,251
Cost to ship a car from Norwalk, IA to California
- Norwalk to Los Angeles: $1,412 to $1,992
- Norwalk to San Diego: $1,522 to $2,230
- Norwalk to San Jose: $1,600 to $2,235
- Norwalk to San Francisco: $1,492 to $2,252
- Norwalk to Fresno: $1,569 to $2,372
Cost to ship a car from Boone, IA to California
- Boone to Los Angeles: $1,432 to $2,057
- Boone to San Diego: $1,567 to $2,100
- Boone to San Jose: $1,507 to $2,189
- Boone to San Francisco: $1,554 to $2,349
- Boone to Fresno: $1,492 to $2,280
Shipping an SUV or Truck from Iowa to California
Since vehicles such as SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Iowa to California you should expect to pay between $2,000 and $2,765.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Iowa to California
- Open Carrier or Enclosed Trailer – Most new cars from ports and factories are moved on open auto carriers, while race cars, vintage collector’s cars, and high-dollar luxury cars get enclosed transport. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs enclosed car shipping.
- Time of the year – Due to demand, prices to ship your car from Iowa to California tend to be a little higher in the summer.
- Size, Weight, and Type of Vehicle – The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more shipping your car to California will cost.
- Delivery Expectations – Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Iowa to California should take between 3 and 11 days.
- Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal in Iowa and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home in California. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.
Resources for Shipping a Car from Iowa to California
The following resources can help with you shipping your car from Iowa to California:
- The best car shipping companies: Don’t run the risk of using an unreliable company to transport your car from Iowa to California. Using the right company can save you many headaches.
- Best Iowa to California movers: Moving too? We’ve handpicked the best moving companies between Iowa and California.
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate of moving costs.
- Iowa to California movers & costs: Everything you should know about moving from Iowa to California.
Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and Iowa car shippers you should use.
The best car shipping from Iowa to California
A good car shipping company should cover the basics. These are the things to look out for in a quality transport company:
- Insurance: Make sure the insurance covers both the company and the hauler the company contracts with to ship the car.
- Experience: Look for a company that has multiple years of experience and a good track record.
- Shipping options: Good car shipping companies will offer open and closed transport, expedited delivery, shipment tracking, and more.
- Added Perks: Damage coverage, no initial deposits, rental car assistance, free car wash, and guaranteed pricing are some additional options great car shippers offer.
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How car shipping from Iowa to California works
- After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from Iowa to California.
- Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in Iowa where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
- Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in California on your delivery date.
What else should you know about shipping a car from Iowa to California?
- Car Insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle Inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s License: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional Taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Iowa to California
- Drive it yourself: Straightforward but not always an option and it will put about 1847 miles on your car going from Iowa to California. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Iowa to California for you. It’s an option…
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Shipping Your Car from Iowa to California FAQs
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Iowa and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18-years-old to be present when picking up your car in Iowa and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to California, it’s not required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Iowa.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. With the trip from Iowa to California being about 1847 miles, that’s as fast as about 4 days. But most car transporting companies will take 3-11 days to go from Iowa to California.
