$1,476 Car Shippers from California to Iowa (2024 Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car the 1847 miles from California to Iowa ranges from $1,476 to $2,209 and takes 3-11 days.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to California car shipping guide.
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The average cost to ship a car from California to Iowa
Because the distance between California to Iowa is about 1847 miles, it’ll take from 3 to 11 days to complete your car shipment.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Iowa
- Los Angeles to Des Moines: $1,410 to $2,029
- Los Angeles to Cedar Rapids: $1,476 to $2,059
- Los Angeles to Davenport: $1,476 to $2,145
- Los Angeles to Norwalk: $1,301 to $1,971
- Los Angeles to Boone: $1,333 to $2,098
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Iowa
- San Diego to Des Moines: $1,389 to $1,955
- San Diego to Cedar Rapids: $1,418 to $2,059
- San Diego to Davenport: $1,424 to $2,251
- San Diego to Norwalk: $1,417 to $2,057
- San Diego to Boone: $1,361 to $1,955
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Iowa
- San Jose to Des Moines: $1,374 to $2,209
- San Jose to Cedar Rapids: $1,454 to $2,318
- San Jose to Davenport: $1,409 to $2,340
- San Jose to Norwalk: $1,461 to $2,124
- San Jose to Boone: $1,389 to $2,145
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Iowa
- San Francisco to Des Moines: $1,347 to $1,975
- San Francisco to Cedar Rapids: $1,454 to $2,318
- San Francisco to Davenport: $1,498 to $2,117
- San Francisco to Norwalk: $1,445 to $2,098
- San Francisco to Boone: $1,505 to $2,231
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Iowa
- Fresno to Des Moines: $1,374 to $2,102
- Fresno to Cedar Rapids: $1,542 to $2,273
- Fresno to Davenport: $1,498 to $2,340
- Fresno to Norwalk: $1,418 to $2,231
- Fresno to Boone: $1,432 to $2,209
Shipping an SUV or Truck from California to Iowa
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 California to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,845 and $2,761.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Iowa
- 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 California to Iowa 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 Iowa 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 California to Iowa 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 California and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home in Iowa. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.
Resources for Shipping a Car from California to Iowa
The following resources can help with you shipping your car from California to Iowa:
- The best car shipping companies: Don’t run the risk of using an unreliable company to transport your car from California to Iowa. Using the right company can save you many headaches.
- Best California to Iowa movers: Moving too? We’ve handpicked the best moving companies between California and Iowa.
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate of moving costs.
- California to Iowa movers & costs: Everything you should know about moving from California to Iowa.
Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and California car shippers you should use.
The best car shipping from California to Iowa
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 California to Iowa works
- After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from California to Iowa.
- Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in California where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
- Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in Iowa on your delivery date.
What else should you know about shipping a car from California 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.
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Iowa
- Drive it yourself: Straightforward but not always an option and it will put about 1847 miles on your car going from California 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 California to Iowa 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 California to Iowa FAQs
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California 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 California and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Iowa, it’s not 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 California.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. With the trip from California to Iowa 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 California to Iowa.
