Alabama to Iowa Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 939 miles from Alabama to Iowa usually costs between $800 and $1,204. Transit time is about two–seven days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to Alabama car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best Alabama to Iowa car shipping companies
Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Alabama to Iowa:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Alabama
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Alabama ready to move your vehicle to Iowa:
- US AutoLogistics: 3.52 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Vehicle Transport Services: 3.5 out of 5 stars
US AutoLogistics
3101 Messer Airport Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35203 US
usal.com
3.52 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 357779
Global Auto Transportation
1101 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 US
globalautotransportation.com/birmingham-auto-transport
3.5 / 5.0
The company generally provides responsive service with competitive pricing and timely vehicle deliveries, though some customers experienced issues with customer service and communication during the process.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2243114
Vehicle Transport Services
2700 Corporate Dr Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35242 US
vehicletransportservices.co/birmingham-alabama-companies
3.5 / 5.0
Vehicle Transport Services Birmingham has garnered positive feedback for their excellent shipping service and overall customer satisfaction. However, there are notable concerns about their customer support being unhelpful and lacking adequate time to address customer inquiries regarding future shipments.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Motorcycles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2249744
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Alabama to Iowa
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Alabama for a move to Iowa, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 939 extra miles on your car to travel from Alabama to Iowa. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Alabama to Iowa, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
Alabama to Iowa auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in Alabama and Iowa. The trip typically spans 939 miles and takes about two–seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to Iowa
| From Alabama to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA | $789 – $1,075 | 765 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Cedar Rapids, IA | $786 – $1,122 | 702 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Davenport, IA | $762 – $1,094 | 652 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Sioux City, IA | $808 – $1,266 | 939 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Iowa City, IA | $760 – $1,045 | 677 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to Iowa
| From Alabama to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL to Des Moines, IA | $800 – $1,241 | 935 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Cedar Rapids, IA | $788 – $1,153 | 870 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Davenport, IA | $748 – $1,180 | 823 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Sioux City, IA | $754 – $1,283 | 1,059 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Iowa City, IA | $800 – $1,197 | 846 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Iowa
| From Alabama to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL to Des Moines, IA | $792 – $1,209 | 846 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Cedar Rapids, IA | $782 – $1,097 | 769 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Davenport, IA | $742 – $1,111 | 732 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Sioux City, IA | $799 – $1,202 | 972 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Iowa City, IA | $805 – $1,086 | 757 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Iowa
| From Alabama to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL to Des Moines, IA | $821 – $1,249 | 978 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mobile, AL to Cedar Rapids, IA | $824 – $1,204 | 913 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mobile, AL to Davenport, IA | $824 – $1,204 | 908 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mobile, AL to Sioux City, IA | $908 – $1,286 | 1,112 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Mobile, AL to Iowa City, IA | $775 – $1,264 | 889 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to Iowa
| From Alabama to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Des Moines, IA | $824 – $1,150 | 827 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Cedar Rapids, IA | $813 – $1,109 | 762 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Davenport, IA | $751 – $1,131 | 757 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Sioux City, IA | $815 – $1,264 | 964 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Iowa City, IA | $750 – $1,089 | 739 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to Iowa
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Alabama to Iowa, the price usually falls between $1,000 and $1,505.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Alabama to Iowa
When transporting your vehicle from the Heart of Dixie to the Hawkeye State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Alabama to Iowa.
- Distance and route: The journey from Alabama to Iowa spans about 939 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Alabama, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Alabama and Iowa.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes two–seven days, while expedited service costs more.
Iowa vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Iowa means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- 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 Alabama
More than 5.1 million people call Alabama home. Nicknamed the Heart of Dixie. Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to Alabama.
Transporting your vehicle to Iowa
About 3.2 million people are living in the Hawkeye State. 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 you ship a car for pickup in Alabama and delivery in Iowa?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Alabama and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Alabama 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 Alabama.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Alabama state government requires motorists possess liability insurance, which must provide a minimum coverage of 25/50/25. This specification includes coverage for bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage per accident.
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 Alabama to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to Iowa is about 939 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Alabama to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Alabama, a safety inspection must be completed prior to selling a vehicle and a VIN inspection is mandatory when registering an out-of-state vehicle. Emissions inspections are not required by the state, though cities and municipalities may have their own laws mandating them.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in Alabama, 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 Alabama, 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 Alabama 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 Alabama and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Iowa?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Iowa is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Alabama to Iowa?
Shipping a car from Alabama to Iowa costs $800 to $1,204.
