Iowa to Massachusetts Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,271 miles from Iowa to Massachusetts ranges from $1,117 to $1,728 and takes 3–8 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Massachusetts to Iowa car shipping guide.
Iowa to Massachusetts auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Iowa and Massachusetts. The average travel distance is about 1,271 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Massachusetts
| From Iowa to Massachusetts | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Boston, MA | 1,301 miles | $1,297–$1,866 | 3–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to New Bedford, MA | 1,315 miles | $1,248–$1,959 | 3–8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Barnstable, MA | 1,360 miles | $1,186–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Oxford, MA | 1,261 miles | $1,176–$1,693 | 3–8 days |
| Boone, IA to Harwich, MA | 1,373 miles | $1,260–$1,828 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Massachusetts
| From Iowa to Massachusetts | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Boston, MA | 1,215 miles | $1,129–$1,764 | 2–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to New Bedford, MA | 1,228 miles | $1,187–$1,728 | 2–8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Barnstable, MA | 1,273 miles | $1,141–$1,853 | 3–8 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Oxford, MA | 1,175 miles | $1,035–$1,755 | 2–8 days |
| Boone, IA to Harwich, MA | 1,287 miles | $1,129–$1,853 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Massachusetts
| From Iowa to Massachusetts | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Boston, MA | 1,134 miles | $1,089–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to New Bedford, MA | 1,148 miles | $1,099–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Barnstable, MA | 1,193 miles | $1,121–$1,637 | 2–8 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Oxford, MA | 1,094 miles | $1,039–$1,520 | 2–8 days |
| Boone, IA to Harwich, MA | 1,206 miles | $1,152–$1,693 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norwalk, IA to Massachusetts
| From Iowa to Massachusetts | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Boston, MA | 1,314 miles | $1,211–$1,828 | 3–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to New Bedford, MA | 1,328 miles | $1,260–$1,884 | 3–8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Barnstable, MA | 1,373 miles | $1,198–$1,772 | 3–8 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Oxford, MA | 1,274 miles | $1,164–$1,871 | 3–8 days |
| Boone, IA to Harwich, MA | 1,386 miles | $1,211–$1,847 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Boone, IA to Massachusetts
| From Iowa to Massachusetts | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Boston, MA | 1,328 miles | $1,285–$1,810 | 3–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to New Bedford, MA | 1,342 miles | $1,186–$1,772 | 3–8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Barnstable, MA | 1,386 miles | $1,260–$1,903 | 3–8 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Oxford, MA | 1,287 miles | $1,117–$1,871 | 3–8 days |
| Boone, IA to Harwich, MA | 1,399 miles | $1,186–$1,772 | 3–8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Massachusetts
Since vehicles like SUV, 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 Massachusetts you should expect to pay between $1,396 and $2,160.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Iowa to Massachusetts
When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Bay 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 Massachusetts.
- Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Massachusetts spans approximately 1,271 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts should take between 3 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Iowa to Massachusetts car shipping companies
|
|
|
|
rating
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Iowa to Massachusetts:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Iowa to Massachusetts
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,271 miles on your car going from Iowa to Massachusetts. 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 hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Iowa to Massachusetts 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Iowa to Massachusetts?
- Car insurance requirements: Massachusetts mandates minimum car insurance coverage, including $20,000/$40,000 for bodily injury liability, $5,000 for property damage, $20,000/$40,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury, and $8,000 for personal injury protection.
- Vehicle inspection: Every year, all vehicles in Massachusetts must undergo a safety inspection. New cars registered in the state must be inspected within 7 days of their registration date.
- Driver’s license: As a new resident in Massachusetts, you must convert your out-of-state vehicle registration to the state within 30 days of establishing residency. The vehicle can be titled and registered at the same time.
- Additional taxes: As a buyer, transferee, or user of a motor vehicle or trailer in Massachusetts, you are responsible for paying a sales or use tax of 6.25%.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Iowa
Over 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 Massachusetts
About 22 million people are living in the Bay State of Massachusetts. Most of Massachusetts has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. Far southeast coastal areas are the broad transition zone to Humid Subtropical climates. The warm to hot summers render the oceanic climate rare in this transition, only applying to exposed coastal areas such as on the peninsula of Barnstable County. The climate of Boston is quite representative for the commonwealth, characterized by summer highs of around 81 °F (27 °C) and winter highs of 35 °F (2 °C), and is quite wet. Frosts are frequent all winter, even in coastal areas due to prevailing inland winds. Due to its location near the Atlantic, Massachusetts is vulnerable to nor'easters, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Iowa and when dropping off my car in Massachusetts?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Iowa and when dropping it off in Massachusetts.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to Massachusetts?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Massachusetts, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Massachusetts, 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.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Massachusetts mandates minimum car insurance coverage, including $20,000/$40,000 for bodily injury liability, $5,000 for property damage, $20,000/$40,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury, and $8,000 for personal injury protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Massachusetts?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Massachusetts is about 1271 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-8 days to travel from Iowa to Massachusetts.
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.
Every year, all vehicles in Massachusetts must undergo a safety inspection. New cars registered in the state must be inspected within 7 days of their registration date.
If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in Massachusetts?
As a new resident in Massachusetts, you must convert your out-of-state vehicle registration to the state within 30 days of establishing residency. The vehicle can be titled and registered at the same time.
If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in Massachusetts after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to Massachusetts after purchasing it.
As a buyer, transferee, or user of a motor vehicle or trailer in Massachusetts, you are responsible for paying a sales or use tax of 6.25%.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and Massachusetts to avoid any hidden costs.
