Iowa to Pennsylvania Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 910 miles from Iowa to Pennsylvania ranges from $998 to $1,609 and takes 2–7 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 Pennsylvania to Iowa car shipping guide.
Iowa to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. The average travel distance is about 910 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 7 days.
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Pennsylvania
| From Iowa to Pennsylvania | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA | 1,076 miles | $940–$1,600 | 2–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Pittsburgh , PA | 779 miles | $1,003–$1,377 | 2–7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Erie, PA | 764 miles | $1,013–$1,368 | 2–7 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Reading, PA | 1,034 miles | $1,000–$1,536 | 2–8 days |
| Boone, IA to Scranton, PA | 1,020 miles | $960–$1,568 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Pennsylvania
| From Iowa to Pennsylvania | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA | 990 miles | $954–$1,589 | 2–7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Pittsburgh , PA | 692 miles | $882–$1,303 | 1–6 days |
| Davenport, IA to Erie, PA | 676 miles | $938–$1,263 | 1–6 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Reading, PA | 947 miles | $978–$1,594 | 2–7 days |
| Boone, IA to Scranton, PA | 934 miles | $1,048–$1,532 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Pennsylvania
| From Iowa to Pennsylvania | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA | 910 miles | $1,048–$1,593 | 2–7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Pittsburgh , PA | 611 miles | $861–$1,174 | 1–6 days |
| Davenport, IA to Erie, PA | 598 miles | $851–$1,249 | 1–6 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Reading, PA | 867 miles | $993–$1,557 | 2–7 days |
| Boone, IA to Scranton, PA | 854 miles | $1,042–$1,498 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norwalk, IA to Pennsylvania
| From Iowa to Pennsylvania | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA | 1,089 miles | $980–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Pittsburgh , PA | 792 miles | $994–$1,449 | 2–7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Erie, PA | 775 miles | $1,003–$1,406 | 2–7 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Reading, PA | 1,046 miles | $1,010–$1,647 | 2–8 days |
| Boone, IA to Scranton, PA | 1,033 miles | $980–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Boone, IA to Pennsylvania
| From Iowa to Pennsylvania | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA | 1,103 miles | $1,067–$1,721 | 2–8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Pittsburgh , PA | 815 miles | $933–$1,515 | 2–7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Erie, PA | 791 miles | $935–$1,391 | 2–7 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Reading, PA | 1,060 miles | $1,010–$1,631 | 2–8 days |
| Boone, IA to Scranton, PA | 1,047 miles | $940–$1,552 | 2–8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania you should expect to pay between $1,248 and $2,011.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Iowa to Pennsylvania
When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Keystone 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 Pennsylvania.
- Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Pennsylvania spans approximately 910 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania should take between 2 and 7 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Iowa to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania:
- 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 Pennsylvania
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 910 miles on your car going from Iowa to Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: When moving to Pennsylvania, you will need to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and pass a written test, a vision test and a road test. You may also be required to surrender your out-of-state license.
- Additional taxes: New residents must apply for PA title and registration of their vehicle within 20 days of moving to PA, and must surrender the out-of-state title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when doing so.
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 Pennsylvania
About 22 million people are living in the Keystone State of Pennsylvania. 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Iowa and when dropping off my car in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to Pennsylvania?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Pennsylvania, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Pennsylvania, 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. 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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Pennsylvania?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Pennsylvania is about 910 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-7 days to travel from Iowa to Pennsylvania.
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.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in Pennsylvania?
When moving to Pennsylvania, you will need to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and pass a written test, a vision test and a road test. You may also be required to surrender your out-of-state license.
If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in Pennsylvania after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to Pennsylvania after purchasing it.
New residents must apply for PA title and registration of their vehicle within 20 days of moving to PA, and must surrender the out-of-state title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when doing so.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and Pennsylvania to avoid any hidden costs.
