Iowa to Louisiana Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,020 miles from Iowa to Louisiana ranges from $822 to $1,301 and takes two–eight days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Louisiana 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 Louisiana car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Iowa to Louisiana:
- 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
- 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
Top local car shippers in Iowa
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Iowa can deliver your vehicle to Louisiana:
- A A All States Auto Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Aaall States Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Nimble Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
A A All States Auto Transport
214 JACKSON ST, SUITE 1468 SIOUX CITY, IA 51102 US
autotransport.company
3.58 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Classic cars
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
Aaall States Transport
214 JACKSON ST, SUITE 1468 SIOUX CITY, IA 51102 US
autotransport.company
3.5 / 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.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2230973
Nimble Inc
910 23rd Ave # 200, Coralville, IA 52241 US
nimbleinc.net
3.5 / 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.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Classic cars
- Heavy equipment
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2245757
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 Louisiana
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Iowa to Louisiana, 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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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,020 miles on your car going from Iowa to Louisiana. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Iowa to Louisiana, 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 Louisiana auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Iowa and Louisiana. Average distances are close to 1,020 miles, with delivery usually taking two–eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Louisiana
| From Iowa to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to New Orleans, LA | $838 – $1,301 | 1,010 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Baton Rouge, LA | $835 – $1,257 | 956 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Shreveport, LA | $784 – $1,115 | 743 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Metairie, LA | $822 – $1,367 | 1,004 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Lafayette, LA | $778 – $1,334 | 958 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Louisiana
| From Iowa to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA to New Orleans, LA | $820 – $1,246 | 944 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Baton Rouge, LA | $787 – $1,233 | 933 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Shreveport, LA | $804 – $1,178 | 828 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Metairie, LA | $796 – $1,272 | 939 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Lafayette, LA | $817 – $1,293 | 987 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Louisiana
| From Iowa to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA to New Orleans, LA | $812 – $1,322 | 940 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Baton Rouge, LA | $853 – $1,259 | 929 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Shreveport, LA | $807 – $1,245 | 822 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Metairie, LA | $845 – $1,310 | 934 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Lafayette, LA | $801 – $1,344 | 983 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Sioux City, IA to Louisiana
| From Iowa to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA to New Orleans, LA | $842 – $1,401 | 1,126 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Baton Rouge, LA | $781 – $1,353 | 1,042 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Shreveport, LA | $844 – $1,275 | 830 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Metairie, LA | $912 – $1,456 | 1,120 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Lafayette, LA | $854 – $1,314 | 1,044 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Iowa City, IA to Louisiana
| From Iowa to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA to New Orleans, LA | $795 – $1,209 | 920 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Baton Rouge, LA | $787 – $1,297 | 909 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Shreveport, LA | $767 – $1,149 | 802 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Metairie, LA | $795 – $1,272 | 915 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Lafayette, LA | $852 – $1,308 | 963 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Louisiana
Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
Shipping a larger vehicle from Iowa to Louisiana usually runs between $1,028 and $1,626.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Iowa to Louisiana
When arranging car transport from the Hawkeye State to the Pelican State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- 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 Louisiana.
- Distance and route: The trip from Iowa to Louisiana covers roughly 1,020 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall 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: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Iowa and Louisiana 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 Louisiana should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Louisiana vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Louisiana 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: The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
- Vehicle inspection: In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
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 Louisiana
About 4.6 million people are living in the Pelican State. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Iowa and delivery in Louisiana?
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 Louisiana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to Louisiana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Louisiana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Louisiana, 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 insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Louisiana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Louisiana is about 1,020 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 Louisiana.
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 Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in Louisiana?
New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in Louisiana after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to Louisiana after purchasing it.
In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and Louisiana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Louisiana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
Shipping a car from Iowa to Louisiana costs $822 to $1,301.
