Best Iowa Car Shipping Companies (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: After comparing costs, services, and customer satisfaction, our team rated Sherpa Auto Transport as the best car shipping company in Iowa, giving them 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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Key takeaways
- While there are several factors that influence the cost of transporting your vehicle, the average cost of shipping your car out of Iowa ranges from $641 to $1,205.
- 75.4% of Iowa auto transport companies offer open transport options, which is the most common (and cheapest) method of shipping your vehicle out of state.
- Only 23% of car shipping companies in Iowa offer guaranteed delivery. If you need your vehicle delivered on a specific day, we recommend using Sherpa Auto Transport.
Our track record
Best car shipping companies in Iowa
Our data team has spent more than 400 hours collecting and analyzing information unique to vehicle transport, including pricing quotes. We routinely evaluate that data to give you relevant, accurate, and unbiased recommendations for the best car shipping companies in your area.
If you need to ship a car out of Des Moines or another location, here are our top picks for car shippers in Iowa:
Sherpa Auto Transport
sherpaautotransport.com
Sherpa Auto Transport is known for providing competitive pricing and strong communication throughout the car shipping process. Available in the Lower 48, Sherpa guarantees you won’t pay more than you are quoted, so you don’t have to worry about any hidden fees or other price changes. The company ships standard passenger cars, trucks, and SUVS, and can provide expedited transport, if needed. They’ll even give you a free car wash if your vehicle arrives at its destination dirty.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price Lock Promise keeps pricing fixed
- Pay by credit card available
- Free car wash at delivery
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- $100k in cargo insurance
- Will ship inoperable vehicles as long as they can brake, roll and steer
- Ship cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans
Cons
- Online instant quote not available
- Cars only. Cannot ship boats, motorcycles, RVs, or trailers
- No international shipping
- No shipping to Alaska or Hawaii
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Insured shipping
AmeriFreight
amerifreight.net
AmeriFreight Car Transport is a true auto shipping broker. They work with a network of licensed, insured, and verified auto carriers to try and find you the best price to ship your car. AmeriFreight acts as an intermediary between you and the car carrier to ensure any problems are quickly resolved. If you’re looking for the most affordable option to ship your car, definitely check out AmeriFreight.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last minute car shipments
- Offer guaranteed and expedited shipments
- Offer AFta PLAN gap insurance coverage
- Boat, trailer, RV, and motorcycle shipping available
Cons
- Must contact to receive a formal quote
- Require deposit at booking
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Montway Auto Transport
montway.com
After 13 years in business and over four hundred thousand cars shipped, Montway Auto Transport knows a thing or two about how to ship cars long distance.
Montway is the preferred choice for some of the largest corporate relocation companies in the world as well as the exclusive transport partner for Auto Trader Classics.
Their competitive pricing and easy booking process earn them the number one spot in auto transport.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Additional insurance provided on every shipment
- No deposit required, pay at delivery
- Expedited delivery available
- Guaranteed delivery available
- Ship up to 100lbs in the car for free
- Special discounts for return customers and military
- Ships classic cars, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, RVs and trailers
Cons
- Quotes expire sometimes within 1 week
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Long-distance and international shipping
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
SGT Auto Transport
sgtautotransport.com
SGT Auto Transport is a top-rated long-distance vehicle shipper available in every state except Alaska. SGT Auto offers open or enclosed carriers for cars and motorcycles, and provides door-to-door service standard in the contiguous U.S. Get a free quote easily and quickly online, and be sure to ask about SGT’s price-matching guarantee and discounts for military members, students, and senior citizens.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open and enclosed auto transport options available
- Car shipping to Hawaii
- Motorcycle shipping available
- Free cancellation
- Full insurance coverage included in the price
- Nothing to pay up front
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Limited international shipping
- Doesn’t ship RVs
- No digital tracking
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Long-distance and international shipping
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Easy Auto Ship
diytransport.com
Founded in 2012, Easy Auto Ship has built a stellar reputation in the industry, with excellent ratings on the BBB, Google reviews, and other consumer feedback sites. The company ships cars, SUVS, RVs, boats, and heavy equipment nationwide and provides guaranteed pickup dates and expedited shipping. If your shipment is delayed for more than 14 days, Easy Auto will reimburse you for the cost of a rental car.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free contingency cargo insurance
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- Expedited Shipping Available
- Ship an additional 100lbs in the car for Free
- Guaranteed pick-up and delivery available
- Military, Senior, and Student discounts
- Free car wash on delivery
- Free rental car should transport take more than 14 days
Cons
- Do not ship boats or heavy equipment
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Long-distance and international shipping
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
A A All States Auto Transport
A A All States Auto Transport (DOT: 2230973) offers a variety of services including classic car shipping, motorcycle shipping, electric vehicle shipping, international shipping, and the option to transport cars via open or enclosed transport. The company is fully insured and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, though they have yet to establish ratings on Yelp and Google.
Customers may find it disappointing that A A All States Auto Transport does not offer services such as shipping for inoperable cars or expedited delivery. They also do not provide various discounts like those for seniors, teachers, students, or military personnel.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
Bennett Motor Express
Bennett Motor Express (DOT: 92693) is a highly-rated car shipping company with a Google rating of 4.6. They offer a variety of services including interstate shipping, motorcycle shipping, RV shipping, heavy equipment shipping, and trailer shipping. They are fully insured and provide expedited delivery services as well as detailed inspection reports.
One of the notable features of Bennett Motor Express is their terminal-to-terminal delivery option. However, a potential downside for some customers is that they do not transport inoperable cars, and payment cannot be made via cryptocurrency or cash. The company has yet to establish ratings on Yelp and BBB.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Multi Car Transport
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Deposit Required
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
- Detailed Inspection Reports
Aaall States Transport
Aaall States Transport (DOT: 2230973) is a car shipping business that offers a variety of services to meet the needs of their customers. Their offerings include interstate transport, classic car shipping, open and enclosed transport, and transportation for both motorcycles and trailers. While they do provide fully insured services, it is important to note that they do not offer a damage-free guarantee, which could be a downside for some customers.
Unfortunately, Aaall States Transport has yet to establish ratings on Yelp and Google. However, they do boast an impressive BBB rating of A+, indicating their commitment to customer satisfaction.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- Open Transport
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
Nimble Inc
Nimble Inc (DOT: 2245757) is a car shipping company that offers a variety of specialized services such as interstate transport, classic car shipping, and electric vehicle shipping. They are fully insured, providing peace of mind to their customers, and they also facilitate transport for heavy equipment.
One downside is that they do not offer a damage-free guarantee or shipment tracking, which might be a concern for some clients. Additionally, while they do accept credit card payments, they do not cater to inoperable cars or provide terminal-to-terminal delivery services.
As of now, Nimble Inc has yet to establish ratings on Yelp, and although they have a Google rating, it stands at a modest 2.0.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- Open Transport
- Pay by Credit Card
- Interstate
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
Rush Transport Service
Rush Transport Service (DOT: 3555031) is an active car shipping company that offers reliable interstate transport and multi-car transport services. The company is highly rated, boasting a perfect 5.0 rating on both Yelp and Google.
While Rush Transport Service focuses on core transport services, they do not offer additional options such as enclosed transport or inoperable car transport, which may be a downside for some customers. Despite this, their strong ratings reflect a high level of customer satisfaction with the services they do provide.
Currently, they do not accept cryptocurrency or offer services like boat or motorcycle shipping, and they have yet to establish a damage-free guarantee or provide storage solutions.
Services Offered
- Multi Car Transport
- Interstate
Local car shippers in Iowa cities
Looking for a more local company to work with? Check out these resources:
How we chose the best car shipping companies
moveBuddha’s car shipping company reviews
For more in-depth information on each company, see our full company reviews:
Average cost of transporting a car out of IA
The average cost to transport a car to another state if you live in Iowa is about $1,098 but the exact amount you pay could be more or less, depending on factors like how far you are shipping your vehicle and whether you choose open or enclosed transport.
For example:
- Short-distance shipments (under 500 miles): $380 to $879
- Medium-distance shipments (500-1,500 miles): $631 to $929
- Long-distance shipments (over 1,500 miles): $793 to $1,319
Here are some sample prices when shipping your car out of the Hawkeye State:
| Route | Open | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa to California | $1,418 | $2,188 |
| Iowa to Ohio | $802 | $1,150 |
| Iowa to Illinois | $538 | $677 |
| Iowa to Florida | $1,150 | $1,843 |
| Iowa to Georgia | $978 | $1,549 |
| New York to Iowa | $978 | $1,504 |
| Michigan to Iowa | $808 | $1,130 |
| Texas to Iowa | $920 | $1,398 |
| Arizona to Iowa | $1,220 | $1,843 |
| North Carolina to Iowa | $950 | $1,430 |
Cost factors for shipping your car from Iowa:
- Your move distance: Distance matters. Shipping your car within Iowa or to nearby states is usually cheaper than longer trips across the country.
- Location: Shipping from Des Moines to a smaller Iowa town or out of state? Your location can affect the cost. Urban areas might have better rates, but remote Iowa spots could be more expensive.
- Your car’s make, model, and year: The size and type of your vehicle are important. Compact cars usually cost less to ship. However, if you’re moving a classic car from Iowa, expect a higher price because it needs extra care.
- Shipping options in the Hawkeye State: Choices range from open-air transport to enclosed shipping. While open-air is wallet-friendly, enclosed transport offers more protection for Iowa’s unpredictable weather, albeit at a higher cost.
- Gas prices: Remember that fluctuating fuel costs can impact your overall expenses. Iowa’s current gas prices might influence your shipping costs, particularly for long distances.
- Delivery time frame: If you need a guaranteed delivery date or faster service, you’ll end up paying more for car shipping.
- Discounts: Some Iowa auto transport companies offer discounts like military, student, and multiple vehicle discounts. Check out our full guide on car shipping discounts to learn more.
For a more accurate quote, use our car shipping calculator. You can also check out all the popular Iowa car shipping routes.
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