Alabama to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 931 miles from Alabama to Iowa ranges from $871 to $1,287 and takes two–seven days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • Price lock promise
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  • Established in 2007
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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to Alabama car shipping guide.

The best Alabama to Iowa car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Alabama to Iowa:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
At A Glance
  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from Alabama to Iowa

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 931 miles on your car going from Alabama 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 need to ship your car from Alabama for a move to Iowa, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from Alabama 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!

AL to IA auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Alabama and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 931 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days .

Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to Iowa

From Alabama to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA $827 – $1,185 758 miles 2 – 7 days
Huntsville, AL to Cedar Rapids, IA $807 – $1,163 702 miles 1 – 6 days
Huntsville, AL to Davenport, IA $722 – $1,113 651 miles 1 – 6 days
Huntsville, AL to Sioux City, IA $847 – $1,287 941 miles 2 – 7 days
Huntsville, AL to Iowa City, IA $803 – $1,084 678 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Iowa

From Alabama to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Birmingham, AL to Des Moines, IA $781 – $1,242 839 miles 2 – 7 days
Birmingham, AL to Cedar Rapids, IA $826 – $1,205 782 miles 2 – 7 days
Birmingham, AL to Davenport, IA $802 – $1,117 733 miles 1 – 6 days
Birmingham, AL to Sioux City, IA $848 – $1,278 1,022 miles 2 – 8 days
Birmingham, AL to Iowa City, IA $787 – $1,138 759 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to Iowa

From Alabama to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Montgomery, AL to Des Moines, IA $805 – $1,313 928 miles 2 – 7 days
Montgomery, AL to Cedar Rapids, IA $834 – $1,246 871 miles 2 – 7 days
Montgomery, AL to Davenport, IA $849 – $1,260 821 miles 2 – 7 days
Montgomery, AL to Sioux City, IA $888 – $1,375 1,111 miles 2 – 8 days
Montgomery, AL to Iowa City, IA $855 – $1,291 848 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Iowa

From Alabama to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Mobile, AL to Des Moines, IA $870 – $1,272 971 miles 2 – 7 days
Mobile, AL to Cedar Rapids, IA $830 – $1,274 914 miles 2 – 7 days
Mobile, AL to Davenport, IA $863 – $1,325 909 miles 2 – 7 days
Mobile, AL to Sioux City, IA $932 – $1,333 1,148 miles 2 – 8 days
Mobile, AL to Iowa City, IA $812 – $1,261 890 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to Iowa

From Alabama to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Tuscaloosa, AL to Des Moines, IA $846 – $1,217 838 miles 2 – 7 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Cedar Rapids, IA $810 – $1,229 782 miles 2 – 7 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Davenport, IA $818 – $1,133 788 miles 2 – 7 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Sioux City, IA $796 – $1,259 957 miles 2 – 7 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Iowa City, IA $795 – $1,126 758 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to Iowa

Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Alabama to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,089 and $1,609.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from AL to IA

When transporting your vehicle from the Heart of Dixie 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 Alabama to Iowa spans approximately 931 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 Alabama, 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 Alabama 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 Alabama to Iowa should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Iowa vehicle regulations you need to know

  • 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 Alabama

More than 39 million people call Alabama home. Nicknamed the Heart of Dixie, Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to.

Transporting your vehicle to Iowa

About 22 million people are living in 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.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Alabama and delivery in Iowa?

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Alabama and when dropping it off in Iowa.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to Iowa?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Alabama 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 Alabama.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Alabama state government requires motorists possess liability insurance, which must provide a minimum coverage of 25/50/25. This specification includes coverage for bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage per accident.

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 Alabama to Iowa?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to Iowa is about 931 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Alabama to Iowa.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

In Alabama, a safety inspection must be completed prior to selling a vehicle and a VIN inspection is mandatory when registering an out-of-state vehicle. Emissions inspections are not required by the state, though cities and municipalities may have their own laws mandating them.

In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.

If I have a driver’s license in Alabama, 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 Alabama, 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 Alabama 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 Alabama and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Iowa?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Iowa is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Alabama to Iowa?

Shipping a car from Alabama to Iowa costs $871 to $1,287.

Helpful Alabama resources