Massachusetts to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,271 miles from Massachusetts to Iowa ranges from $1,106 to $1,764 and takes 3–8 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to Massachusetts car shipping guide.
Massachusetts to Iowa auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Massachusetts and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 1,271 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Boston, MA to Iowa
| From Massachusetts to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA | 1,301 miles | $1,174–$1,884 | 3–8 days |
| New Bedford, MA to Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,213 miles | $1,222–$1,746 | 2–8 days |
| Barnstable, MA to Davenport, IA | 1,133 miles | $1,024–$1,620 | 2–8 days |
| Oxford, MA to Norwalk, IA | 1,313 miles | $1,285–$1,791 | 3–8 days |
| Harwich, MA to Boone, IA | 1,337 miles | $1,186–$1,922 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from New Bedford, MA to Iowa
| From Massachusetts to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA | 1,314 miles | $1,272–$1,772 | 3–8 days |
| New Bedford, MA to Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,227 miles | $1,222–$1,782 | 2–8 days |
| Barnstable, MA to Davenport, IA | 1,146 miles | $1,110–$1,620 | 2–8 days |
| Oxford, MA to Norwalk, IA | 1,326 miles | $1,285–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| Harwich, MA to Boone, IA | 1,350 miles | $1,272–$1,922 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Barnstable, MA to Iowa
| From Massachusetts to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA | 1,361 miles | $1,272–$1,922 | 3–8 days |
| New Bedford, MA to Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,273 miles | $1,152–$1,693 | 3–8 days |
| Barnstable, MA to Davenport, IA | 1,193 miles | $1,132–$1,671 | 2–8 days |
| Oxford, MA to Norwalk, IA | 1,373 miles | $1,198–$1,884 | 3–8 days |
| Harwich, MA to Boone, IA | 1,397 miles | $1,260–$1,903 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Oxford, MA to Iowa
| From Massachusetts to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA | 1,263 miles | $1,129–$1,799 | 3–8 days |
| New Bedford, MA to Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,176 miles | $1,056–$1,620 | 2–8 days |
| Barnstable, MA to Davenport, IA | 1,095 miles | $970–$1,615 | 2–8 days |
| Oxford, MA to Norwalk, IA | 1,275 miles | $1,141–$1,782 | 3–8 days |
| Harwich, MA to Boone, IA | 1,299 miles | $1,176–$1,728 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Harwich, MA to Iowa
| From Massachusetts to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA | 1,374 miles | $1,186–$1,847 | 3–8 days |
| New Bedford, MA to Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,287 miles | $1,199–$1,853 | 3–8 days |
| Barnstable, MA to Davenport, IA | 1,207 miles | $1,222–$1,799 | 2–8 days |
| Oxford, MA to Norwalk, IA | 1,386 miles | $1,211–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| Harwich, MA to Boone, IA | 1,410 miles | $1,277–$1,998 | 3–8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Massachusetts to Iowa
Since vehicles like 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 Massachusetts to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,383 and $2,205.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Massachusetts to Iowa
When transporting your vehicle from the Bay State to the Hawkeye State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Iowa.
- Distance and route: The journey from Massachusetts to Iowa spans approximately 1,271 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Massachusetts, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Massachusetts and Iowa and the varying gas prices across the country.
- 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 Massachusetts to Iowa should take between 3 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Massachusetts to Iowa car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Massachusetts to Iowa:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Massachusetts to Iowa
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,271 miles on your car going from Massachusetts to Iowa. 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 Massachusetts to Iowa for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Massachusetts to Iowa?
- Car insurance requirements: Iowa requires minimum liability insurance, covering $20,000 for individual injury or death, $40,000 for multiple individuals, and $15,000 for property damage in an accident.
- Vehicle inspection: In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
- Driver’s license: New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain an Iowa license within 30 days of establishing permanent residency. To do so, visit the DMV with your former state license, as it will need to be surrendered for the new license.
- Additional taxes: In Iowa, sales of vehicles requiring registration are exempt from sales tax but subject to a 5% fee for new registration.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Massachusetts
Over 39 million people call Massachusetts home. Nicknamed the Bay State, Most of Massachusetts has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. Far southeast coastal areas are the broad transition zone to Humid Subtropical climates. The warm to hot summers render the oceanic climate rare in this transition, only applying to exposed coastal areas such as on the peninsula of Barnstable County. The climate of Boston is quite representative for the commonwealth, characterized by summer highs of around 81 °F (27 °C) and winter highs of 35 °F (2 °C), and is quite wet. Frosts are frequent all winter, even in coastal areas due to prevailing inland winds. Due to its location near the Atlantic, Massachusetts is vulnerable to nor'easters, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
Transporting your vehicle to Iowa
About 22 million people are living in the Hawkeye State of Iowa. Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state. Snowfall is common in Iowa. Spring brings in severe weather season. Iowa has about 50 thunderstorm days per year and has a tornado season. Iowa is known for hot and humid summers. Be sure to check the weather before your move, especially during the springtime.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Massachusetts and when dropping off my car in Iowa?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Massachusetts and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Massachusetts to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Massachusetts to Iowa, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Iowa, which you should verify before loading your car in Massachusetts.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Massachusetts mandates minimum car insurance coverage, including $20,000/$40,000 for bodily injury liability, $5,000 for property damage, $20,000/$40,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury, and $8,000 for personal injury protection.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Iowa requires minimum liability insurance, covering $20,000 for individual injury or death, $40,000 for multiple individuals, and $15,000 for property damage in an accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from Massachusetts to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Massachusetts to Iowa is about 1271 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-8 days to travel from Massachusetts to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Every year, all vehicles in Massachusetts must undergo a safety inspection. New cars registered in the state must be inspected within 7 days of their registration date.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in Massachusetts, will I need one in Iowa?
New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain an Iowa license within 30 days of establishing permanent residency. To do so, visit the DMV with your former state license, as it will need to be surrendered for the new license.
If I bought a car in Massachusetts, will I be required to pay sales tax in Iowa after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Massachusetts to Iowa after purchasing it.
In Iowa, sales of vehicles requiring registration are exempt from sales tax but subject to a 5% fee for new registration.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Massachusetts and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
