Louisiana to Iowa Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,023 miles from Louisiana to Iowa ranges from $770 to $1,257 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 Iowa to Louisiana 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 Louisiana to Iowa car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Louisiana to Iowa:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- 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
- 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
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Louisiana
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Louisiana ready to move your vehicle to Iowa:
- Auto Driveaway: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Speedy Car Shipping: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Auto Driveaway
140 James Dr E Suite A, St Rose, LA 70087 US
autodriveaway.com/locations/new-orleans-auto-shipping
3.56 / 5.0
Customers report excellent service and communication when moving vehicles, highlighting value and friendliness from the staff. However, there are serious complaints regarding vehicle conditions, particularly concerning pest infestations in trucks used for transport, along with unprofessional behavior and lack of support for drivers. These contrasting experiences suggest a need for significant improvements in driver treatment and vehicle maintenance.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Trailers
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1335807
Alternative Business Names
- Auto Driveaway Systems, LLC
- AD Acquisition, LLC
- Auto Driveaway Franchise Systems, LLC
Speedy Car Shipping
141 Allen Toussaint Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124 US
speedycarshipping.com/car-shipping-service/auto-transport-new-orleans-la
3.5 / 5.0
Customers frequently praise Speedy Car Shipping New Orleans for their excellent customer service, easy and transparent pricing, and timely vehicle delivery. However, some experienced issues locating the premises due to unclear directions.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Discounts
- Military
- Senior
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2297446
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 Louisiana to Iowa
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Louisiana to Iowa, 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 1,023 miles on your car going from Louisiana to Iowa. 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 Louisiana to Iowa, 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.
Louisiana to Iowa 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 Louisiana and Iowa. The trip typically spans 1,023 miles and takes about two–eight days.
Cost to ship a car from New Orleans, LA to Iowa
| From Louisiana to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA to Des Moines, IA | $810 – $1,270 | 1,010 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Cedar Rapids, IA | $840 – $1,278 | 946 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Davenport, IA | $768 – $1,278 | 940 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Sioux City, IA | $847 – $1,408 | 1,126 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Iowa City, IA | $800 – $1,204 | 921 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Baton Rouge, LA to Iowa
| From Louisiana to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA to Des Moines, IA | $802 – $1,334 | 1,000 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Cedar Rapids, IA | $824 – $1,179 | 935 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Davenport, IA | $792 – $1,278 | 929 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Sioux City, IA | $786 – $1,232 | 1,042 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Iowa City, IA | $784 – $1,241 | 911 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Shreveport, LA to Iowa
| From Louisiana to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shreveport, LA to Des Moines, IA | $804 – $1,055 | 742 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Cedar Rapids, IA | $753 – $1,138 | 828 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Davenport, IA | $803 – $1,133 | 823 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Sioux City, IA | $777 – $1,126 | 828 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Iowa City, IA | $772 – $1,122 | 804 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Metairie, LA to Iowa
| From Louisiana to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie, LA to Des Moines, IA | $778 – $1,219 | 1,005 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Metairie, LA to Cedar Rapids, IA | $840 – $1,291 | 942 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Metairie, LA to Davenport, IA | $816 – $1,253 | 935 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Metairie, LA to Sioux City, IA | $847 – $1,367 | 1,121 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Metairie, LA to Iowa City, IA | $776 – $1,241 | 916 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lafayette, LA to Iowa
| From Louisiana to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, LA to Des Moines, IA | $831 – $1,302 | 957 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Cedar Rapids, IA | $781 – $1,236 | 988 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Davenport, IA | $765 – $1,262 | 983 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Sioux City, IA | $754 – $1,207 | 1,043 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Iowa City, IA | $759 – $1,214 | 964 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Louisiana to Iowa
Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
Shipping a larger vehicle from Louisiana to Iowa usually runs between $963 and $1,571.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Louisiana to Iowa
When moving your vehicle from the Pelican State to the Hawkeye State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- 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 Louisiana to Iowa.
- Distance and route: The trip from Louisiana to Iowa covers roughly 1,023 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Louisiana, 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 Louisiana and Iowa 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 Louisiana to Iowa should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Iowa vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Iowa, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
- Driver’s license: New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain an Iowa license within 30 days of establishing permanent residency. To do so, visit the DMV with your former state license, as it will need to be surrendered for the new license.
- Additional taxes: In Iowa, sales of vehicles requiring registration are exempt from sales tax but subject to a 5% fee for new registration.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Louisiana
More than 4.6 million people call Louisiana home. Nicknamed 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.
Transporting your vehicle to Iowa
About 3.2 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Louisiana and delivery in Iowa?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Louisiana and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Louisiana to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Louisiana to Iowa, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Iowa, which you should verify before loading your car in Louisiana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Louisiana to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Louisiana to Iowa is about 1,023 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Louisiana to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in Louisiana, will I need one in Iowa?
New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain an Iowa license within 30 days of establishing permanent residency. To do so, visit the DMV with your former state license, as it will need to be surrendered for the new license.
If I bought a car in Louisiana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Iowa after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Louisiana to Iowa after purchasing it.
In Iowa, sales of vehicles requiring registration are exempt from sales tax but subject to a 5% fee for new registration.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Louisiana and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Louisiana to Iowa?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Louisiana to Iowa 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 Louisiana to Iowa?
Shipping a car from Louisiana to Iowa costs $770 to $1,257.
