Iowa to Delaware Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 1,082 miles from Iowa to Delaware falls between $830 and $1,367. Delivery typically takes two–eight days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Delaware to Iowa 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 Iowa to Delaware 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 Delaware:
- 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 Iowa
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Iowa that can relocate your vehicle to Delaware:
- A A All States Auto Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Bennett Motor Express: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Aaall States Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Nimble Inc: 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 Iowa to Delaware
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Iowa to Delaware, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,082 miles on your car going from Iowa to Delaware. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Iowa to Delaware. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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!
Iowa to Delaware auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Iowa and Delaware. The average travel distance is about 1,082 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Delaware
| From Iowa to Delaware | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Wilmington, DE | $789 – $1,367 | 1,069 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Dover, DE | $877 – $1,359 | 1,100 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Newark, DE | $797 – $1,275 | 1,052 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Middletown, DE | $930 – $1,387 | 1,102 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Bear, DE | $813 – $1,340 | 1,086 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Delaware
| From Iowa to Delaware | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Wilmington, DE | $825 – $1,306 | 982 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Dover, DE | $805 – $1,327 | 1,015 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Newark, DE | $860 – $1,231 | 965 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Middletown, DE | $805 – $1,367 | 1,015 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Bear, DE | $822 – $1,288 | 1,000 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Delaware
| From Iowa to Delaware | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA to Wilmington, DE | $795 – $1,310 | 906 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Dover, DE | $837 – $1,322 | 933 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Newark, DE | $794 – $1,221 | 889 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Middletown, DE | $845 – $1,233 | 939 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Bear, DE | $836 – $1,272 | 923 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Sioux City, IA to Delaware
| From Iowa to Delaware | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA to Wilmington, DE | $966 – $1,537 | 1,246 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Dover, DE | $957 – $1,537 | 1,278 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Newark, DE | $966 – $1,479 | 1,229 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Middletown, DE | $937 – $1,537 | 1,279 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Bear, DE | $947 – $1,391 | 1,263 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Iowa City, IA to Delaware
| From Iowa to Delaware | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA to Wilmington, DE | $844 – $1,244 | 958 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Dover, DE | $850 – $1,241 | 990 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Newark, DE | $845 – $1,246 | 941 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Middletown, DE | $776 – $1,357 | 990 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Bear, DE | $776 – $1,254 | 975 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Delaware
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Iowa to Delaware, the price usually falls between $1,038 and $1,709.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Iowa to Delaware
When moving your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the First State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to Delaware.
- Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Delaware spans about 1,082 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Iowa more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Iowa and Delaware and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within two–eight days, but expedited options cost more.
Delaware vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Delaware, 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: Delaware mandates that vehicle owners carry a minimum of liability car insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury liability in case of an accident involving multiple people and $10,000 for property damage per accident.
- Vehicle inspection: In Delaware, vehicles are required to undergo an emissions inspection every two years, unless the vehicle is less than seven years old. Additionally, a vehicle inspection is required every time you register or re-register your vehicle, but it must be completed within 90 days of the registration date to be valid.
- Driver’s license: Drivers moving to Delaware from another state must update their driver's license within 60 days of becoming a resident.
- Additional taxes: Delaware residents who purchased a vehicle from an out-of-state dealer will not receive a credit for taxes paid. While most states exempt out-of-state buyers from taxes, some states collect taxes on all vehicle sales. This means that residents may be subject to double taxation on vehicles purchased from certain 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 Delaware
About 1.0 million people are living in the First State. Almost all of Delaware is a part of the Atlantic coastal plain, the effects of the ocean moderate its climate. The southern portion of the state has a milder climate than the northern portion of the state.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Iowa and delivery in Delaware?
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 Delaware.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to Delaware?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Delaware, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Delaware, 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.
Delaware mandates that vehicle owners carry a minimum of liability car insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury liability in case of an accident involving multiple people and $10,000 for property damage per accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Delaware?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Delaware is about 1,082 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Iowa to Delaware.
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.
In Delaware, vehicles are required to undergo an emissions inspection every two years, unless the vehicle is less than seven years old. Additionally, a vehicle inspection is required every time you register or re-register your vehicle, but it must be completed within 90 days of the registration date to be valid.
If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in Delaware?
Drivers moving to Delaware from another state must update their driver's license within 60 days of becoming a resident.
If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in Delaware after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to Delaware after purchasing it.
Delaware residents who purchased a vehicle from an out-of-state dealer will not receive a credit for taxes paid. While most states exempt out-of-state buyers from taxes, some states collect taxes on all vehicle sales. This means that residents may be subject to double taxation on vehicles purchased from certain states.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and Delaware to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Delaware?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Delaware 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 Delaware?
Shipping a car from Iowa to Delaware costs $830 to $1,367.
214 JACKSON ST, SUITE 1468 SIOUX CITY, IA 51102 US
906 W Crystal Lake Rd, Forest City, IA 50436 US
214 JACKSON ST, SUITE 1468 SIOUX CITY, IA 51102 US
910 23rd Ave # 200, Coralville, IA 52241 US