Vermont to Iowa Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,255 miles from Vermont to Iowa usually costs between $906 and $1,386. Transit time is about three–eight 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 Iowa to Vermont 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 Vermont to Iowa 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 Vermont 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 Vermont
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Vermont ready to move your vehicle to Iowa:
- A to Z Auto Transport: 3.72 out of 5 stars
- 1st Choice Auto Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
A to Z Auto Transport
362 N Main St, Barre, VT 05641 US
atozauto.com
3.72 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 675504
Alternative Business Names
- A to Z auto Shipping, Inc.
1st Choice Auto Transport
38 Park St, Essex Junction, VT 05452 US
firstchoiceautotransport.com
3.58 / 5.0
This company is praised for its effective vehicle pickup and delivery service. Customers appreciate their efforts to accommodate various budgets and the timely handling of vehicle movements. Overall, feedback is positive regarding their flexibility and efficiency.
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3299872
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 Vermont to Iowa
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Vermont 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 is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,255 miles on your car going from Vermont 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 Vermont 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.
Vermont to Iowa auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in Vermont and Iowa. The typical distance is about 1,255 miles, with shipping times generally falling between three and eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Burlington, VT to Iowa
| From Vermont to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, VT to Des Moines, IA | $924 – $1,472 | 1,216 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Burlington, VT to Cedar Rapids, IA | $821 – $1,408 | 1,129 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Burlington, VT to Davenport, IA | $810 – $1,270 | 1,049 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Burlington, VT to Sioux City, IA | $1,040 – $1,571 | 1,393 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Burlington, VT to Iowa City, IA | $830 – $1,326 | 1,105 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Essex, VT to Iowa
| From Vermont to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex, VT to Des Moines, IA | $971 – $1,500 | 1,224 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Essex, VT to Cedar Rapids, IA | $908 – $1,380 | 1,138 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Essex, VT to Davenport, IA | $794 – $1,295 | 1,090 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Essex, VT to Sioux City, IA | $1,056 – $1,571 | 1,434 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Essex, VT to Iowa City, IA | $839 – $1,313 | 1,146 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from South Burlington, VT to Iowa
| From Vermont to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Burlington, VT to Des Moines, IA | $934 – $1,415 | 1,216 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| South Burlington, VT to Cedar Rapids, IA | $899 – $1,394 | 1,130 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| South Burlington, VT to Davenport, IA | $810 – $1,270 | 1,050 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| South Burlington, VT to Sioux City, IA | $951 – $1,436 | 1,394 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| South Burlington, VT to Iowa City, IA | $873 – $1,313 | 1,106 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Colchester, VT to Iowa
| From Vermont to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colchester, VT to Des Moines, IA | $906 – $1,357 | 1,251 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Colchester, VT to Cedar Rapids, IA | $830 – $1,421 | 1,165 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Colchester, VT to Davenport, IA | $786 – $1,219 | 1,084 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Colchester, VT to Sioux City, IA | $1,109 – $1,494 | 1,428 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Colchester, VT to Iowa City, IA | $890 – $1,340 | 1,140 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rutland, VT to Iowa
| From Vermont to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutland, VT to Des Moines, IA | $821 – $1,353 | 1,198 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rutland, VT to Cedar Rapids, IA | $890 – $1,326 | 1,112 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rutland, VT to Davenport, IA | $810 – $1,232 | 1,033 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rutland, VT to Sioux City, IA | $1,001 – $1,556 | 1,375 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Rutland, VT to Iowa City, IA | $802 – $1,219 | 1,087 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Vermont 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 Vermont to Iowa, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $1,133–$1,733.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Vermont to Iowa
When moving your vehicle from the Green Mountain State to the Hawkeye State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to Iowa.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Vermont to Iowa involves roughly 1,255 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Vermont around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Vermont and Iowa.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes three–eight days, while expedited service costs more.
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 Vermont
More than 647,064 people call Vermont home. Nicknamed the Green Mountain State. Vermont has warm to hot summer and cold winters, with muddy springs, in general, a mild early summer, hot Augusts; it has colorful autumns. If you are moving in the winter be prepared for heavy snowfall.
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 Vermont 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 Vermont and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Vermont to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Vermont 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 Vermont.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Vermont must possess liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for individual injuries or fatalities, $50,000 for injuries or fatalities involving two or more persons, and $10,000 for property damage in a single accident. Adhering to these essential insurance requirements ensures legal compliance and optimal protection on the road.
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 Vermont to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Vermont to Iowa is about 1,255 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Vermont to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Vehicle safety and emission inspections are required annually in Vermont, as well as a one-time VIN inspection for any out-of-state vehicle being registered for the first time.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in Vermont, 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 Vermont, 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 Vermont 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 Vermont and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Vermont to Iowa?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Vermont 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 Vermont to Iowa?
Shipping a car from Vermont to Iowa costs $906 to $1,386.
