Iowa to Michigan Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 592 miles from Iowa to Michigan ranges from $885 to $1,153 and takes 1–6 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 Michigan to Iowa car shipping guide.
Iowa to Michigan 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 Michigan. The average travel distance is about 592 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 6 days.
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Michigan
| From Iowa to Michigan | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Detroit, MI | 598 miles | $825–$1,165 | 1–6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Grand Rapids, MI | 493 miles | $796–$1,083 | 1–4 days |
| Davenport, IA to Ann Arbor, MI | 558 miles | $872–$1,188 | 1–6 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Lansing, MI | 534 miles | $824–$1,128 | 1–6 days |
| Boone, IA to Flint, MI | 590 miles | $885–$1,189 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Michigan
| From Iowa to Michigan | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Detroit, MI | 512 miles | $800–$1,034 | 1–6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Grand Rapids, MI | 407 miles | $714–$988 | 1–4 days |
| Davenport, IA to Ann Arbor, MI | 471 miles | $728–$1,030 | 1–4 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Lansing, MI | 448 miles | $726–$1,078 | 1–4 days |
| Boone, IA to Flint, MI | 503 miles | $784–$1,067 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Michigan
| From Iowa to Michigan | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Detroit, MI | 432 miles | $711–$1,067 | 1–4 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Grand Rapids, MI | 330 miles | $656–$906 | 1–4 days |
| Davenport, IA to Ann Arbor, MI | 391 miles | $740–$1,004 | 1–4 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Lansing, MI | 368 miles | $693–$975 | 1–4 days |
| Boone, IA to Flint, MI | 423 miles | $714–$1,028 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norwalk, IA to Michigan
| From Iowa to Michigan | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Detroit, MI | 611 miles | $844–$1,211 | 1–6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Grand Rapids, MI | 506 miles | $760–$1,132 | 1–6 days |
| Davenport, IA to Ann Arbor, MI | 570 miles | $796–$1,188 | 1–6 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Lansing, MI | 547 miles | $824–$1,128 | 1–6 days |
| Boone, IA to Flint, MI | 603 miles | $853–$1,198 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Boone, IA to Michigan
| From Iowa to Michigan | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Detroit, MI | 625 miles | $888–$1,268 | 1–6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Grand Rapids, MI | 520 miles | $816–$1,045 | 1–6 days |
| Davenport, IA to Ann Arbor, MI | 584 miles | $834–$1,237 | 1–6 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Lansing, MI | 561 miles | $864–$1,142 | 1–6 days |
| Boone, IA to Flint, MI | 616 miles | $923–$1,174 | 1–6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Michigan
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 Michigan you should expect to pay between $1,106 and $1,441.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Iowa to Michigan
When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Wolverine 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 Michigan.
- Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Michigan spans approximately 592 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 Michigan 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 Michigan should take between 1 and 6 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Iowa to Michigan car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Iowa to Michigan:
- 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 Michigan
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 592 miles on your car going from Iowa to Michigan. 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 Michigan 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 Michigan?
- Car insurance requirements: Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
- Vehicle inspection: Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
- Driver’s license: Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
- Additional taxes: In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
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 Michigan
About 22 million people are living in the Wolverine State of Michigan. Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Iowa and when dropping off my car in Michigan?
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 Michigan.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to Michigan?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Michigan, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Michigan, 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. Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Michigan?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Michigan is about 592 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 1-6 days to travel from Iowa to Michigan.
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.
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in Michigan?
Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in Michigan after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to Michigan after purchasing it.
In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and Michigan to avoid any hidden costs.
