Iowa to Tennessee Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 714 miles from Iowa to Tennessee ranges from $782 to $1,138 and takes one–six 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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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Tennessee to Iowa car shipping guide.

The best Iowa to Tennessee car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Iowa to Tennessee:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
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  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
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  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
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  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from Iowa to Tennessee

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 714 miles on your car going from Iowa to Tennessee. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
  • Ship it with your movers. If you need to ship your car from Iowa for a move to Tennessee, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from Iowa to Tennessee for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
  • 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!

IA to TN 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 Tennessee. The average travel distance is about 714 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days .

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

From Iowa to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Des Moines, IA to Nashville, TN $737 – $1,073 647 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Memphis, TN $693 – $1,035 608 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Clarksville, TN $730 – $1,046 603 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Knoxville, TN $812 – $1,215 831 miles 2 – 7 days
Des Moines, IA to Chattanooga, TN $833 – $1,214 777 miles 2 – 7 days

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

From Iowa to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cedar Rapids, IA to Nashville, TN $713 – $977 591 miles 1 – 6 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Memphis, TN $703 – $948 552 miles 1 – 6 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Clarksville, TN $691 – $899 547 miles 1 – 6 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Knoxville, TN $808 – $1,104 744 miles 1 – 6 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Chattanooga, TN $798 – $1,149 721 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Tennessee

From Iowa to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Davenport, IA to Nashville, TN $684 – $936 542 miles 1 – 6 days
Davenport, IA to Memphis, TN $670 – $973 547 miles 1 – 6 days
Davenport, IA to Clarksville, TN $667 – $907 498 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Knoxville, TN $766 – $1,089 664 miles 1 – 6 days
Davenport, IA to Chattanooga, TN $773 – $1,079 672 miles 1 – 6 days

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

From Iowa to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sioux City, IA to Nashville, TN $844 – $1,202 833 miles 2 – 7 days
Sioux City, IA to Memphis, TN $800 – $1,127 728 miles 1 – 6 days
Sioux City, IA to Clarksville, TN $841 – $1,120 789 miles 2 – 7 days
Sioux City, IA to Knoxville, TN $781 – $1,262 1,010 miles 2 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Chattanooga, TN $852 – $1,270 963 miles 2 – 7 days

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

From Iowa to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Iowa City, IA to Nashville, TN $710 – $967 567 miles 1 – 6 days
Iowa City, IA to Memphis, TN $684 – $880 528 miles 1 – 6 days
Iowa City, IA to Clarksville, TN $631 – $868 523 miles 1 – 6 days
Iowa City, IA to Knoxville, TN $813 – $1,094 720 miles 1 – 6 days
Iowa City, IA to Chattanooga, TN $778 – $1,136 697 miles 1 – 6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Tennessee

Since vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?

If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Iowa to Tennessee you should expect to pay between $978 and $1,423.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from IA to TN

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

  • 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: 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 Tennessee.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Tennessee spans approximately 714 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: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Iowa and Tennessee 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 Iowa to Tennessee should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Tennessee vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
  • Driver’s license: To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.
  • Additional taxes: When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Iowa

More than 39 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 Tennessee

About 22 million people are living in the Volunteer State. Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.

FAQ

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

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 Tennessee.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Tennessee, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Tennessee, 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.

Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Tennessee is about 714 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 Tennessee.

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 Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.

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

To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.

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

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

When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Iowa to Tennessee costs $782 to $1,138.

Helpful Iowa resources