Pennsylvania to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 910 miles from Pennsylvania to Iowa ranges from $988 to $1,456 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 Iowa to Pennsylvania car shipping guide.
Pennsylvania to Iowa auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Pennsylvania and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 910 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 7 days.
Cost to ship a car from Philadelphia, PA to Iowa
| From Pennsylvania to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Des Moines, IA | 1,076 miles | $950–$1,536 | 2–8 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to Cedar Rapids, IA | 990 miles | $954–$1,494 | 2–7 days |
| Erie, PA to Davenport, IA | 910 miles | $998–$1,563 | 2–7 days |
| Reading, PA to Norwalk, IA | 1,088 miles | $1,019–$1,600 | 2–8 days |
| Scranton, PA to Boone, IA | 1,103 miles | $1,110–$1,671 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Pittsburgh , PA to Iowa
| From Pennsylvania to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Des Moines, IA | 779 miles | $935–$1,492 | 2–7 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to Cedar Rapids, IA | 692 miles | $929–$1,369 | 1–6 days |
| Erie, PA to Davenport, IA | 612 miles | $914–$1,174 | 1–6 days |
| Reading, PA to Norwalk, IA | 790 miles | $955–$1,377 | 2–7 days |
| Scranton, PA to Boone, IA | 805 miles | $1,002–$1,442 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Erie, PA to Iowa
| From Pennsylvania to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Des Moines, IA | 764 miles | $936–$1,410 | 2–7 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to Cedar Rapids, IA | 678 miles | $947–$1,276 | 1–6 days |
| Erie, PA to Davenport, IA | 598 miles | $859–$1,249 | 1–6 days |
| Reading, PA to Norwalk, IA | 775 miles | $955–$1,492 | 2–7 days |
| Scranton, PA to Boone, IA | 791 miles | $964–$1,506 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Reading, PA to Iowa
| From Pennsylvania to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Des Moines, IA | 1,033 miles | $940–$1,568 | 2–8 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to Cedar Rapids, IA | 947 miles | $958–$1,594 | 2–7 days |
| Erie, PA to Davenport, IA | 867 miles | $1,023–$1,557 | 2–7 days |
| Reading, PA to Norwalk, IA | 1,045 miles | $1,000–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
| Scranton, PA to Boone, IA | 1,060 miles | $940–$1,615 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Scranton, PA to Iowa
| From Pennsylvania to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Des Moines, IA | 1,020 miles | $960–$1,584 | 2–8 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to Cedar Rapids, IA | 934 miles | $958–$1,563 | 2–7 days |
| Erie, PA to Davenport, IA | 854 miles | $993–$1,542 | 2–7 days |
| Reading, PA to Norwalk, IA | 1,032 miles | $1,010–$1,520 | 2–8 days |
| Scranton, PA to Boone, IA | 1,047 miles | $960–$1,552 | 2–8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Pennsylvania to Iowa
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 Pennsylvania to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,235 and $1,820.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Pennsylvania to Iowa
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 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 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 2 and 7 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Pennsylvania to Iowa 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 Pennsylvania to Iowa:
- 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 Pennsylvania to Iowa
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 910 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 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 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Pennsylvania to Iowa?
- 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
Over 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 of Iowa. 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 picking up my car in Pennsylvania and when dropping off my car in Iowa?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to 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?
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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Pennsylvania to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Pennsylvania to Iowa 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 Pennsylvania to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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?
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?
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.
