Arizona to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,365 miles from Arizona to Iowa ranges from $1,058 to $1,505 and takes three–eight 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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  • Established in 2007
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  • No deposit
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to Arizona car shipping guide.

The best Arizona to Iowa car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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 Arizona to Iowa

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,365 miles on your car going from Arizona 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 Arizona 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 Arizona 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!

AZ 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 Arizona and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 1,365 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Phoenix, AZ to Iowa

From Arizona to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Phoenix, AZ to Des Moines, IA $1,117 – $1,678 1,400 miles 3 – 8 days
Phoenix, AZ to Cedar Rapids, IA $1,129 – $1,696 1,527 miles 3 – 9 days
Phoenix, AZ to Davenport, IA $1,164 – $1,630 1,568 miles 3 – 9 days
Phoenix, AZ to Sioux City, IA $1,007 – $1,567 1,350 miles 3 – 8 days
Phoenix, AZ to Iowa City, IA $1,106 – $1,613 1,514 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Tucson, AZ to Iowa

From Arizona to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Tucson, AZ to Des Moines, IA $976 – $1,614 1,396 miles 3 – 8 days
Tucson, AZ to Cedar Rapids, IA $1,199 – $1,679 1,523 miles 3 – 9 days
Tucson, AZ to Davenport, IA $1,164 – $1,613 1,564 miles 3 – 9 days
Tucson, AZ to Sioux City, IA $1,038 – $1,490 1,384 miles 3 – 8 days
Tucson, AZ to Iowa City, IA $1,095 – $1,646 1,510 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Mesa, AZ to Iowa

From Arizona to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Mesa, AZ to Des Moines, IA $997 – $1,536 1,386 miles 3 – 8 days
Mesa, AZ to Cedar Rapids, IA $1,106 – $1,679 1,514 miles 3 – 9 days
Mesa, AZ to Davenport, IA $1,095 – $1,696 1,555 miles 3 – 9 days
Mesa, AZ to Sioux City, IA $1,079 – $1,614 1,337 miles 3 – 8 days
Mesa, AZ to Iowa City, IA $1,176 – $1,564 1,500 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Chandler, AZ to Iowa

From Arizona to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA $1,079 – $1,614 1,398 miles 3 – 8 days
Chandler, AZ to Cedar Rapids, IA $1,199 – $1,712 1,525 miles 3 – 9 days
Chandler, AZ to Davenport, IA $1,164 – $1,630 1,566 miles 3 – 9 days
Chandler, AZ to Sioux City, IA $986 – $1,490 1,348 miles 3 – 8 days
Chandler, AZ to Iowa City, IA $1,152 – $1,581 1,512 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Gilbert, AZ to Iowa

From Arizona to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA $1,079 – $1,583 1,388 miles 3 – 8 days
Gilbert, AZ to Cedar Rapids, IA $1,210 – $1,729 1,516 miles 3 – 9 days
Gilbert, AZ to Davenport, IA $1,118 – $1,729 1,557 miles 3 – 9 days
Gilbert, AZ to Sioux City, IA $1,038 – $1,598 1,338 miles 3 – 8 days
Gilbert, AZ to Iowa City, IA $1,199 – $1,613 1,502 miles 3 – 9 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Arizona 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 Arizona to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,323 and $1,881.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from AZ to IA

When transporting your vehicle from the Grand Canyon 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 Arizona to Iowa spans approximately 1,365 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 Arizona, 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 Arizona 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 Arizona to Iowa should take between three and eight 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 Arizona

More than 39 million people call Arizona home. Nicknamed the Grand Canyon State, Arizona may be on of the top states where your move is least likely to be affected by climate due to the unlikelihood of extremely cold days and natural disasters.

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 Arizona 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 Arizona and when dropping it off in Iowa.

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

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

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The mandated liability insurance minimums in Arizona are as follows: $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person per accident $30,000 for bodily injury liability for two or more people per accident $10,000 for property damage liability 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 Arizona to Iowa?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Arizona to Iowa is about 1,365 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Arizona to Iowa.

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

Emissions testing is mandatory in Phoenix and Tucson, but not in the rest of Arizona. If you reside in either Phoenix or Tucson, you are required to undergo an emissions test every two years while renewing your vehicle registration. On the other hand, car safety inspections are not mandatory in the state of Arizona.

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

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

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from Arizona 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 Arizona to Iowa?

Shipping a car from Arizona to Iowa costs $1,058 to $1,505.

Helpful Arizona resources