Colorado to Iowa Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 776 miles from Colorado to Iowa ranges from $826 to $1,157. Expect the trip to take around two–seven days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to Colorado 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 Colorado to Iowa car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Colorado to Iowa:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Colorado
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Colorado can deliver your vehicle to Iowa:
- Colorado Springs Auto Shipping Group: 3.7 out of 5 stars
- UZ Auto Trans INC: 3.64 out of 5 stars
- Diamond Express Transportation: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Accelerated Services Llc: 3.52 out of 5 stars
- Driving America Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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 Colorado to Iowa
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Colorado to Iowa, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 776 miles on your car going from Colorado to Iowa. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Colorado to Iowa is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
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!
Colorado to Iowa auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Colorado and Iowa. The average journey covers about 776 miles and takes roughly two to seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Denver, CO to Iowa
| From Colorado to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO to Des Moines, IA | $767 – $1,135 | 671 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Denver, CO to Cedar Rapids, IA | $835 – $1,229 | 791 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Denver, CO to Davenport, IA | $781 – $1,180 | 841 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Denver, CO to Sioux City, IA | $732 – $959 | 571 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Denver, CO to Iowa City, IA | $826 – $1,157 | 785 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Colorado Springs, CO to Iowa
| From Colorado to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO to Des Moines, IA | $802 – $1,175 | 740 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to Cedar Rapids, IA | $834 – $1,183 | 858 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to Davenport, IA | $830 – $1,223 | 908 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to Sioux City, IA | $716 – $1,097 | 639 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to Iowa City, IA | $859 – $1,246 | 853 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aurora, CO to Iowa
| From Colorado to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, CO to Des Moines, IA | $745 – $1,113 | 670 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Aurora, CO to Cedar Rapids, IA | $794 – $1,145 | 789 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, CO to Davenport, IA | $814 – $1,254 | 840 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, CO to Sioux City, IA | $676 – $988 | 570 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Aurora, CO to Iowa City, IA | $835 – $1,145 | 784 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fort Collins, CO to Iowa
| From Colorado to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins, CO to Des Moines, IA | $731 – $1,044 | 649 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to Cedar Rapids, IA | $811 – $1,114 | 768 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to Davenport, IA | $800 – $1,188 | 818 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to Sioux City, IA | $685 – $919 | 549 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to Iowa City, IA | $795 – $1,197 | 763 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lakewood, CO to Iowa
| From Colorado to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood, CO to Des Moines, IA | $734 – $1,139 | 676 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Lakewood, CO to Cedar Rapids, IA | $770 – $1,133 | 795 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lakewood, CO to Davenport, IA | $797 – $1,205 | 846 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lakewood, CO to Sioux City, IA | $686 – $1,009 | 576 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Lakewood, CO to Iowa City, IA | $826 – $1,145 | 789 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Colorado 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 Colorado to Iowa, the price usually falls between $1,033 and $1,446.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Colorado to Iowa
When arranging car transport from the Centennial State to the Hawkeye State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- 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: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Colorado to Iowa.
- Distance and route: The journey from Colorado to Iowa spans approximately 776 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 Colorado, 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 Colorado 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 Colorado to Iowa should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Iowa vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Iowa, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- 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 Colorado
More than 5.9 million people call Colorado home. Nicknamed the Centennial State. Colorado has a relatively complex climate. Ranging from the famous mountain region of the state to desert. Therefore, keep track of the weather of your new city on move day. The most extreme weather that happens in Colorado happens in the least populated areas of the state but you may drive through these regions to get to your new home so be wary of that too.
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 Colorado 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 Colorado and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Colorado to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Colorado 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 Colorado.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. To drive in Colorado, you must have insurance with minimum 25/50/10 liability limits, covering $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. While meeting the state's minimum requirement, it's advisable to consider factors for determining optimal coverage levels.
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 Colorado to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Colorado to Iowa is about 776 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Colorado to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
To register and title your vehicle in Colorado within 90 days of moving, you'll need to provide the DMV with an out-of-state vehicle title, proof of a valid Colorado auto insurance policy, verifiable identification, and documentation of the vehicle's weight.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in Colorado, 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 Colorado, 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 Colorado 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 Colorado and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Colorado to Iowa?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Colorado 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 Colorado to Iowa?
Shipping a car from Colorado to Iowa costs $826 to $1,157.
121 S Tejon St UNIT 901, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 US
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