Iowa to Arizona Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,365 miles from Iowa to Arizona usually costs between $997 and $1,552. Transit time is about three–eight 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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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
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  • Door-to-door service
  • No upfront payment

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Arizona to Iowa car shipping guide.

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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
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The best Iowa to Arizona car shipping companies

Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Iowa to Arizona:

Best for Real-Time Tracking
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.7 / 5
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking
  • Instant online quotes
  • Economy option
  • Ships nationwide
  • Easy online scheduling
read our full review
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
read our full review
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best for safety & reliability
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote 224-206-5633
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote 224-206-5633
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Get a quote (864) 492-1221

Top local car shippers in Iowa

If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Iowa that can relocate your vehicle to Arizona:

  1. A A All States Auto Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
  2. Bennett Motor Express: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  3. Aaall States Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  4. Nimble Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars

A A All States Auto Transport

214 JACKSON ST, SUITE 1468 SIOUX CITY, IA 51102 US

starstarstarstarstar3.58 / 5.0
Get a Quote (712) 823-0443

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • International shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Classic cars
  • Motorcycles
  • Electric vehicles

Additional Information

Bennett Motor Express

906 W Crystal Lake Rd, Forest City, IA 50436 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 5.0
Get a Quote (800) 866-5500

Services Offered

  • Door-to-door service
  • Open transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • International shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Shipment tracking
  • Expedited delivery
  • Multi-car transport
  • Detailed inspection reports
  • RVs
  • Trailers
  • Motorcycles
  • Heavy equipment

Additional Information

Aaall States Transport

214 JACKSON ST, SUITE 1468 SIOUX CITY, IA 51102 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 5.0

While some customers report frustrating experiences with delivery delays and a refusal to wear masks by drivers, others are satisfied with undamaged deliveries and commend the customer service provided by the office staff and drivers.

Get a Quote (712) 823-0443

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Classic cars
  • Trailers
  • Motorcycles

Additional Information

Nimble Inc

910 23rd Ave # 200, Coralville, IA 52241 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 5.0

Nimble, Inc. is faced with serious concern regarding business practices, particularly around unpaid freight charges and customer service experiences. While there are some positive comments about their staff, numerous reviews highlight major issues related to financial responsibility and operational difficulties during service deliveries.

Get a Quote (866) 700-0770

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Classic cars
  • Heavy equipment
  • Electric vehicles

Additional Information

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 Iowa to Arizona

Ship it with your movers

If you’re relocating from Iowa to Arizona, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.

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  • Certified crews
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  • Specialty packing services
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  • 80+ years' experience
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  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts

Drive it yourself

While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,365 extra miles on your car to travel from Iowa to Arizona. 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 Iowa to Arizona, 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.

Iowa to Arizona 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 Iowa and Arizona. The trip typically spans 1,365 miles and takes about three–eight days.

Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Arizona

From Iowa to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Des Moines, IA to Phoenix, AZ $1,051 – $1,630 1,400 miles 3 – 8 days
Des Moines, IA to Tucson, AZ $1,048 – $1,536 1,395 miles 3 – 8 days
Des Moines, IA to Mesa, AZ $986 – $1,474 1,384 miles 3 – 8 days
Des Moines, IA to Chandler, AZ $1,027 – $1,583 1,399 miles 3 – 8 days
Des Moines, IA to Gilbert, AZ $1,017 – $1,505 1,386 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Arizona

From Iowa to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cedar Rapids, IA to Phoenix, AZ $1,141 – $1,729 1,519 miles 3 – 9 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Tucson, AZ $1,199 – $1,679 1,513 miles 3 – 9 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Mesa, AZ $1,095 – $1,679 1,506 miles 3 – 9 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Chandler, AZ $1,176 – $1,696 1,518 miles 3 – 9 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Gilbert, AZ $1,176 – $1,613 1,507 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Arizona

From Iowa to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Davenport, IA to Phoenix, AZ $1,164 – $1,729 1,569 miles 3 – 9 days
Davenport, IA to Tucson, AZ $1,095 – $1,630 1,565 miles 3 – 9 days
Davenport, IA to Mesa, AZ $1,187 – $1,729 1,557 miles 3 – 9 days
Davenport, IA to Chandler, AZ $1,199 – $1,712 1,568 miles 3 – 9 days
Davenport, IA to Gilbert, AZ $1,129 – $1,679 1,559 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Sioux City, IA to Arizona

From Iowa to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sioux City, IA to Phoenix, AZ $1,017 – $1,505 1,350 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Tucson, AZ $1,079 – $1,521 1,383 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Mesa, AZ $976 – $1,536 1,336 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Chandler, AZ $1,017 – $1,474 1,349 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Gilbert, AZ $1,079 – $1,614 1,339 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Iowa City, IA to Arizona

From Iowa to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Iowa City, IA to Phoenix, AZ $1,187 – $1,679 1,513 miles 3 – 9 days
Iowa City, IA to Tucson, AZ $1,199 – $1,564 1,509 miles 3 – 9 days
Iowa City, IA to Mesa, AZ $1,129 – $1,597 1,500 miles 3 – 9 days
Iowa City, IA to Chandler, AZ $1,129 – $1,581 1,512 miles 3 – 9 days
Iowa City, IA to Gilbert, AZ $1,118 – $1,613 1,503 miles 3 – 9 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Arizona

Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.

For this route from Iowa to Arizona, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $1,246–$1,940.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from Iowa to Arizona

When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Grand Canyon State, these factors will influence your final price:

  • Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed 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 Arizona.
  • Distance and route: The trip from Iowa to Arizona covers roughly 1,365 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
  • Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Iowa in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
  • Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Iowa and Arizona may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
  • 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 Arizona should take between three and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Arizona vehicle regulations you need to know

When you move to Arizona, 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: The mandated liability insurance minimums in Arizona are as follows: $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person per accident $30,000 for bodily injury liability for two or more people per accident $10,000 for property damage liability per accident
  • Vehicle inspection: Emissions testing is mandatory in Phoenix and Tucson, but not in the rest of Arizona. If you reside in either Phoenix or Tucson, you are required to undergo an emissions test every two years while renewing your vehicle registration. On the other hand, car safety inspections are not mandatory in the state of Arizona.
  • Driver’s license: If you are a former resident of another state and now reside in Arizona, you will need to visit an Arizona Motor Vehicle Services office in person to obtain an Arizona driver's license. You have a 10-day window after relocating within the state to update the address on your Arizona driver's license.
  • Additional taxes: In Arizona, vehicle owners are required to pay the Vehicle License Tax (VLT) along with other fees. This tax serves as an alternative to the personal property tax that is imposed in some other states.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Iowa

More than 3.2 million people call Iowa home. Nicknamed 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.

Transporting your vehicle to Arizona

About 7.4 million people are living in the Grand Canyon State. Arizona may be on of the top states where your move is least likely to be affected by climate due to the unlikelihood of extremely cold days and natural disasters.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Iowa and delivery in Arizona?

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Iowa and when dropping it off in Arizona.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to Arizona?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Arizona, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Arizona, which you should verify before loading your car in Iowa.

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.

The mandated liability insurance minimums in Arizona are as follows: $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person per accident $30,000 for bodily injury liability for two or more people per accident $10,000 for property damage liability per accident

How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Arizona?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Arizona is about 1,365 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Iowa to Arizona.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.

Emissions testing is mandatory in Phoenix and Tucson, but not in the rest of Arizona. If you reside in either Phoenix or Tucson, you are required to undergo an emissions test every two years while renewing your vehicle registration. On the other hand, car safety inspections are not mandatory in the state of Arizona.

If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in Arizona?

If you are a former resident of another state and now reside in Arizona, you will need to visit an Arizona Motor Vehicle Services office in person to obtain an Arizona driver's license. You have a 10-day window after relocating within the state to update the address on your Arizona driver's license.

If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in Arizona after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to Arizona after purchasing it.

In Arizona, vehicle owners are required to pay the Vehicle License Tax (VLT) along with other fees. This tax serves as an alternative to the personal property tax that is imposed in some other states.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and Arizona to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Arizona?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Arizona 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 Iowa to Arizona?

Shipping a car from Iowa to Arizona costs $997 to $1,552.

Helpful Iowa resources