North Dakota to Iowa Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 715 miles from North Dakota to Iowa falls between $748 and $1,078. Delivery typically takes one–six 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 Iowa to North Dakota 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 North Dakota to Iowa 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in North Dakota that can relocate your vehicle to Iowa:
- Xpress Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Auto Driveaway: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Xpress Auto Transport
3003 32nd Ave S #205, Fargo, ND 58103 US
xpressautoship.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 3878126
Auto Driveaway
3332 4th Ave S Suite 2D2, Fargo, ND 58103 US
autodriveaway.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Trailers
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1335807
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 North Dakota to Iowa
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from North Dakota to Iowa, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 715 miles on your car to travel between North Dakota and Iowa. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from North Dakota to Iowa. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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.
North Dakota to Iowa auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in North Dakota and Iowa. Average distances are close to 715 miles, with delivery usually taking one–six days.
Cost to ship a car from Fargo, ND to Iowa
| From North Dakota to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND to Des Moines, IA | $613 – $903 | 477 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Fargo, ND to Cedar Rapids, IA | $616 – $908 | 510 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Fargo, ND to Davenport, IA | $682 – $944 | 593 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Fargo, ND to Sioux City, IA | $490 – $670 | 324 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Fargo, ND to Iowa City, IA | $648 – $895 | 537 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bismarck, ND to Iowa
| From North Dakota to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND to Des Moines, IA | $769 – $1,063 | 670 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bismarck, ND to Cedar Rapids, IA | $771 – $1,111 | 701 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bismarck, ND to Davenport, IA | $781 – $1,104 | 785 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bismarck, ND to Sioux City, IA | $641 – $899 | 511 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bismarck, ND to Iowa City, IA | $750 – $1,111 | 728 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Forks, ND to Iowa
| From North Dakota to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND to Des Moines, IA | $666 – $953 | 556 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Grand Forks, ND to Cedar Rapids, IA | $724 – $992 | 590 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Grand Forks, ND to Davenport, IA | $703 – $1,011 | 673 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Grand Forks, ND to Sioux City, IA | $555 – $824 | 400 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Grand Forks, ND to Iowa City, IA | $733 – $941 | 616 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Minot, ND to Iowa
| From North Dakota to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot, ND to Des Moines, IA | $804 – $1,055 | 740 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Minot, ND to Cedar Rapids, IA | $758 – $1,165 | 774 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Minot, ND to Davenport, IA | $796 – $1,201 | 857 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Minot, ND to Sioux City, IA | $689 – $1,011 | 584 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Minot, ND to Iowa City, IA | $748 – $1,192 | 800 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from West Fargo, ND to Iowa
| From North Dakota to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Fargo, ND to Des Moines, IA | $651 – $851 | 484 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| West Fargo, ND to Cedar Rapids, IA | $667 – $847 | 515 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| West Fargo, ND to Davenport, IA | $710 – $973 | 598 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| West Fargo, ND to Sioux City, IA | $495 – $733 | 325 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| West Fargo, ND to Iowa City, IA | $687 – $868 | 542 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from North Dakota to Iowa
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 North Dakota to Iowa, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $935–$1,348.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from North Dakota to Iowa
If you’re shipping a car from the Peace Garden State to the Hawkeye State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Iowa.
- Distance and route: The route from North Dakota to Iowa is about 715 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of North Dakota more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between North Dakota and Iowa may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from North Dakota to Iowa takes one–six days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
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 North Dakota
More than 783,926 people call North Dakota home. Nicknamed 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.
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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from North Dakota to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from North Dakota 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 North Dakota.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
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 North Dakota to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from North Dakota to Iowa is about 715 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from North Dakota to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in North Dakota, 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 North Dakota, 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from North Dakota to Iowa?
The cheapest way to ship a car from North Dakota 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 North Dakota to Iowa?
Shipping a car from North Dakota to Iowa costs $748 to $1,078.
