Iowa to North Dakota Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 712 miles from Iowa to North Dakota usually costs between $743 and $1,083. Transit time is about one–six 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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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 Iowa to North Dakota:
- 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
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Iowa ready to move your vehicle to North Dakota:
- 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
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 North Dakota
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Iowa to North Dakota, 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
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 712 extra miles on your car to travel from Iowa to North Dakota. 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 North Dakota, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota. The trip typically spans 712 miles and takes about one–six days.
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to North Dakota
| From Iowa to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Fargo, ND | $635 – $890 | 477 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Bismarck, ND | $728 – $1,079 | 671 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Grand Forks, ND | $703 – $919 | 559 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Minot, ND | $776 – $1,195 | 741 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Des Moines, IA to West Fargo, ND | $635 – $846 | 483 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to North Dakota
| From Iowa to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Fargo, ND | $631 – $886 | 510 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Bismarck, ND | $805 – $1,127 | 701 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Grand Forks, ND | $706 – $977 | 590 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Minot, ND | $761 – $1,101 | 773 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to West Fargo, ND | $670 – $886 | 515 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to North Dakota
| From Iowa to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA to Fargo, ND | $734 – $967 | 593 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Davenport, IA to Bismarck, ND | $769 – $1,143 | 784 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Grand Forks, ND | $728 – $1,121 | 673 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Davenport, IA to Minot, ND | $775 – $1,181 | 857 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to West Fargo, ND | $706 – $1,007 | 596 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Sioux City, IA to North Dakota
| From Iowa to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA to Fargo, ND | $508 – $686 | 324 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Bismarck, ND | $644 – $877 | 512 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Grand Forks, ND | $551 – $785 | 399 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Minot, ND | $685 – $997 | 584 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Sioux City, IA to West Fargo, ND | $502 – $714 | 324 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Iowa City, IA to North Dakota
| From Iowa to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA to Fargo, ND | $657 – $945 | 539 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Bismarck, ND | $808 – $1,138 | 730 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Grand Forks, ND | $693 – $985 | 615 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Minot, ND | $769 – $1,132 | 799 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to West Fargo, ND | $664 – $964 | 543 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to North Dakota
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 North Dakota, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $929–$1,354.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Iowa to North Dakota
If you’re shipping a car from the Hawkeye State to the Peace Garden State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Iowa to North Dakota.
- Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to North Dakota spans approximately 712 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 Iowa, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Iowa and North Dakota 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 North Dakota should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
North Dakota vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to North Dakota, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance requirements: North Dakota mandates that all vehicles carry minimum liability insurance coverage, which includes $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage. Additionally, drivers must have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Basic personal injury protection is also required, providing $150 per week with a maximum of $30,000.
- Vehicle inspection: As a new resident in North Dakota, you have 90 days to have your vehicle inspected and registered in the state. There is no requirement for smog or emissions testing in North Dakota.
- Driver’s license: If you’ve just moved to North Dakota, visit a Driver's License and Testing office, make an appointment for road tests, bring proof of current name and date of birth, and pay applicable fees to get a new driver’s license.
- Additional taxes: Proof of taxes paid in the state of purchase is required to be exempt from North Dakota excise tax for out-of-state vehicle purchases. No tax reciprocity for foreign purchases, taxes due at 5% on purchase price (based on exchange rate).
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 North Dakota
About 783,926 people are living in the Peace Garden State. North Dakota has warm summers and cold winters. The temperature differences are significant because of its far inland position and being roughly equal distance from the North Pole and the Equator.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Iowa and delivery in North Dakota?
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 North Dakota.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to North Dakota?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to North Dakota, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to North Dakota, 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.
North Dakota mandates that all vehicles carry minimum liability insurance coverage, which includes $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage. Additionally, drivers must have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Basic personal injury protection is also required, providing $150 per week with a maximum of $30,000.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to North Dakota?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to North Dakota is about 712 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Iowa to North Dakota.
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.
As a new resident in North Dakota, you have 90 days to have your vehicle inspected and registered in the state. There is no requirement for smog or emissions testing in North Dakota.
If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in North Dakota?
If you’ve just moved to North Dakota, visit a Driver's License and Testing office, make an appointment for road tests, bring proof of current name and date of birth, and pay applicable fees to get a new driver’s license.
If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in North Dakota after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to North Dakota after purchasing it.
Proof of taxes paid in the state of purchase is required to be exempt from North Dakota excise tax for out-of-state vehicle purchases. No tax reciprocity for foreign purchases, taxes due at 5% on purchase price (based on exchange rate).
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and North Dakota to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to North Dakota?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
Shipping a car from Iowa to North Dakota costs $743 to $1,083.
214 JACKSON ST, SUITE 1468 SIOUX CITY, IA 51102 US
214 JACKSON ST, SUITE 1468 SIOUX CITY, IA 51102 US
910 23rd Ave # 200, Coralville, IA 52241 US