Pennsylvania to Iowa Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 907 miles from Pennsylvania to Iowa ranges from $1,006 to $1,641 and takes two–seven 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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  • Price lock promise
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  • Door-to-door service
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to Pennsylvania car shipping guide.

The best Pennsylvania to Iowa car shipping companies

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

Best for Real-Time Tracking
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.7 / 5
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking
  • Instant online quotes
  • Economy option
  • Ships nationwide
  • Easy online scheduling
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Get a quote (224) 310-1412
Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (224) 206-5633
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (224) 206-5633
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
read our full review
Get a quote (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from Pennsylvania to Iowa

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 907 miles on your car going from Pennsylvania to Iowa. 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 Pennsylvania for a move to Iowa, 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 Pennsylvania to Iowa 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!

PA to IA auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Pennsylvania and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 907 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days .

Cost to ship a car from Philadelphia, PA to Iowatoggle

From Pennsylvania to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Philadelphia, PA to Des Moines, IA $1,080 – $1,581 1,076 miles 2 – 8 days
Philadelphia, PA to Cedar Rapids, IA $992 – $1,717 989 miles 2 – 7 days
Philadelphia, PA to Davenport, IA $1,058 – $1,529 910 miles 2 – 7 days
Philadelphia, PA to Sioux City, IA $1,222 – $1,871 1,253 miles 3 – 8 days
Philadelphia, PA to Iowa City, IA $984 – $1,574 965 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Pittsburgh, PA to Iowatoggle

From Pennsylvania to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Pittsburgh, PA to Des Moines, IA $1,063 – $1,432 778 miles 2 – 7 days
Pittsburgh, PA to Cedar Rapids, IA $965 – $1,341 692 miles 1 – 6 days
Pittsburgh, PA to Davenport, IA $905 – $1,271 612 miles 1 – 6 days
Pittsburgh, PA to Sioux City, IA $1,088 – $1,607 955 miles 2 – 7 days
Pittsburgh, PA to Iowa City, IA $902 – $1,297 667 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Erie, PA to Iowatoggle

From Pennsylvania to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Erie, PA to Des Moines, IA $1,003 – $1,466 763 miles 2 – 7 days
Erie, PA to Cedar Rapids, IA $1,004 – $1,341 677 miles 1 – 6 days
Erie, PA to Davenport, IA $885 – $1,211 596 miles 1 – 6 days
Erie, PA to Sioux City, IA $1,037 – $1,641 941 miles 2 – 7 days
Erie, PA to Iowa City, IA $921 – $1,419 653 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Allentown, PA to Iowatoggle

From Pennsylvania to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Allentown, PA to Des Moines, IA $1,080 – $1,630 1,048 miles 2 – 8 days
Allentown, PA to Cedar Rapids, IA $1,015 – $1,655 961 miles 2 – 7 days
Allentown, PA to Davenport, IA $1,004 – $1,576 881 miles 2 – 7 days
Allentown, PA to Sioux City, IA $1,271 – $1,945 1,225 miles 2 – 8 days
Allentown, PA to Iowa City, IA $1,089 – $1,560 936 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Reading, PA to Iowatoggle

From Pennsylvania to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Reading, PA to Des Moines, IA $988 – $1,613 1,034 miles 2 – 8 days
Reading, PA to Cedar Rapids, IA $986 – $1,593 947 miles 2 – 7 days
Reading, PA to Davenport, IA $1,011 – $1,588 867 miles 2 – 7 days
Reading, PA to Sioux City, IA $1,198 – $1,945 1,210 miles 2 – 8 days
Reading, PA to Iowa City, IA $985 – $1,545 923 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Pennsylvania to Iowatoggle

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 Pennsylvania to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,258 and $2,051.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from PA to IA

When transporting your vehicle from the Keystone State to the Hawkeye 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 Iowa.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Pennsylvania to Iowa spans approximately 907 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to Iowa should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Iowa vehicle regulations you need to know

  • 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 Pennsylvania

More than 39 million people call Pennsylvania home. Nicknamed the Keystone State, Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.

Transporting your vehicle to Iowa

About 22 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 Pennsylvania and delivery in Iowa?toggle

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Pennsylvania and when dropping it off in Iowa.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.

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 Pennsylvania to Iowa?toggle

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Pennsylvania to Iowa is about 907 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Pennsylvania to Iowa.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?toggle

If you are moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.

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

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 Pennsylvania, will I be required to pay sales tax in Iowa after shipping it there?toggle

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to Iowa?toggle

Shipping a car from Pennsylvania to Iowa costs $1,006 to $1,641.

Helpful Pennsylvania resources