Connecticut to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,166 miles from Connecticut to Iowa ranges from $888 to $1,418 and takes two–eight days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

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

The best Connecticut to Iowa car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for quick pickup
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for discounts
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from Connecticut to Iowa

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,166 miles on your car going from Connecticut 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 Connecticut 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 Connecticut 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!

CT 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 Connecticut and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 1,166 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Waterbury, CT to Iowa

From Connecticut to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Waterbury, CT to Des Moines, IA $932 – $1,404 1,179 miles 2 – 8 days
Waterbury, CT to Cedar Rapids, IA $823 – $1,343 1,092 miles 2 – 8 days
Waterbury, CT to Davenport, IA $815 – $1,383 1,012 miles 2 – 8 days
Waterbury, CT to Sioux City, IA $986 – $1,536 1,355 miles 3 – 8 days
Waterbury, CT to Iowa City, IA $807 – $1,291 1,068 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Bridgeport, CT to Iowa

From Connecticut to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Bridgeport, CT to Des Moines, IA $905 – $1,460 1,166 miles 2 – 8 days
Bridgeport, CT to Cedar Rapids, IA $823 – $1,278 1,079 miles 2 – 8 days
Bridgeport, CT to Davenport, IA $785 – $1,295 999 miles 2 – 7 days
Bridgeport, CT to Sioux City, IA $1,048 – $1,490 1,342 miles 3 – 8 days
Bridgeport, CT to Iowa City, IA $799 – $1,383 1,054 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Stamford, CT to Iowa

From Connecticut to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Stamford, CT to Des Moines, IA $941 – $1,333 1,145 miles 2 – 8 days
Stamford, CT to Cedar Rapids, IA $799 – $1,278 1,058 miles 2 – 8 days
Stamford, CT to Davenport, IA $818 – $1,348 977 miles 2 – 7 days
Stamford, CT to Sioux City, IA $1,027 – $1,614 1,321 miles 3 – 8 days
Stamford, CT to Iowa City, IA $799 – $1,317 1,033 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from New Haven, CT to Iowa

From Connecticut to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
New Haven, CT to Des Moines, IA $896 – $1,361 1,186 miles 2 – 8 days
New Haven, CT to Cedar Rapids, IA $831 – $1,251 1,099 miles 2 – 8 days
New Haven, CT to Davenport, IA $823 – $1,357 1,018 miles 2 – 8 days
New Haven, CT to Sioux City, IA $1,038 – $1,521 1,362 miles 3 – 8 days
New Haven, CT to Iowa City, IA $823 – $1,383 1,074 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Hartford, CT to Iowa

From Connecticut to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Hartford, CT to Des Moines, IA $920 – $1,482 1,209 miles 2 – 8 days
Hartford, CT to Cedar Rapids, IA $941 – $1,446 1,122 miles 2 – 8 days
Hartford, CT to Davenport, IA $840 – $1,264 1,041 miles 2 – 8 days
Hartford, CT to Sioux City, IA $1,079 – $1,552 1,385 miles 3 – 8 days
Hartford, CT to Iowa City, IA $807 – $1,317 1,097 miles 2 – 8 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Connecticut 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 Connecticut to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,110 and $1,773.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from CT to IA

When transporting your vehicle from the Constitution 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 Connecticut to Iowa spans approximately 1,166 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 Connecticut, 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 Connecticut 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 Connecticut to Iowa should take between two 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 Connecticut

More than 39 million people call Connecticut home. Nicknamed the Constitution State, Connecticut has decent weather, is familiar to any east coast native. In the North, there tend to be cold winters with moderate snowfall and hot, humid summers. In the South, there are cool winters with a mix of rain and infrequent snow, and hot humid summers.

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 Connecticut 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 Connecticut and when dropping it off in Iowa.

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

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

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The basic car insurance requirements in the state of Connecticut is as follow: Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $25,000 per person, $50,000 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 Connecticut to Iowa?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Connecticut to Iowa is about 1,166 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Connecticut to Iowa.

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

In Connecticut, all vehicles must undergo an emissions inspection every two years, with a few exceptions. Additionally, a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection, which confirms the vehicle's identity, is required when registering the vehicle in the state.

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

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Connecticut to Iowa costs $888 to $1,418.

Helpful Connecticut resources