Iowa to Arizona Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,368 miles from Iowa to Arizona ranges from $995 to $1,533 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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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Arizona to Iowa car shipping guide.

The best Iowa to Arizona car shipping companies

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

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 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
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  • 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
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
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  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Iowa to Arizona

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,368 miles on your car going from Iowa to Arizona. 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 Iowa for a move to Arizona, 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 Iowa to Arizona 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!

IA to AZ auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Iowa and Arizona. The average travel distance is about 1,368 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Arizona

From Iowa to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Des Moines, IA to Phoenix, AZ $1,035 – $1,472 1,399 miles 3 – 8 days
Des Moines, IA to Tucson, AZ $1,035 – $1,472 1,394 miles 3 – 8 days
Des Moines, IA to Mesa, AZ $975 – $1,533 1,386 miles 3 – 8 days
Des Moines, IA to Chandler, AZ $1,035 – $1,503 1,399 miles 3 – 8 days
Des Moines, IA to Gilbert, AZ $1,046 – $1,564 1,388 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Arizona

From Iowa to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cedar Rapids, IA to Phoenix, AZ $1,139 – $1,611 1,529 miles 3 – 9 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Tucson, AZ $1,116 – $1,594 1,525 miles 3 – 9 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Mesa, AZ $1,184 – $1,545 1,516 miles 3 – 9 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Chandler, AZ $1,127 – $1,708 1,529 miles 3 – 9 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Gilbert, AZ $1,196 – $1,545 1,519 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Arizona

From Iowa to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Davenport, IA to Phoenix, AZ $1,173 – $1,611 1,568 miles 3 – 9 days
Davenport, IA to Tucson, AZ $1,082 – $1,708 1,563 miles 3 – 9 days
Davenport, IA to Mesa, AZ $1,162 – $1,659 1,555 miles 3 – 9 days
Davenport, IA to Chandler, AZ $1,139 – $1,611 1,567 miles 3 – 9 days
Davenport, IA to Gilbert, AZ $1,127 – $1,659 1,557 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Sioux City, IA to Arizona

From Iowa to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sioux City, IA to Phoenix, AZ $1,056 – $1,564 1,349 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Tucson, AZ $1,035 – $1,549 1,383 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Mesa, AZ $1,015 – $1,564 1,337 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Chandler, AZ $985 – $1,457 1,349 miles 3 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Gilbert, AZ $975 – $1,472 1,338 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Iowa City, IA to Arizona

From Iowa to Arizona Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Iowa City, IA to Phoenix, AZ $1,093 – $1,643 1,516 miles 3 – 9 days
Iowa City, IA to Tucson, AZ $1,150 – $1,627 1,511 miles 3 – 9 days
Iowa City, IA to Mesa, AZ $1,139 – $1,708 1,503 miles 3 – 9 days
Iowa City, IA to Chandler, AZ $1,127 – $1,545 1,516 miles 3 – 9 days
Iowa City, IA to Gilbert, AZ $1,184 – $1,545 1,505 miles 3 – 9 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Arizona

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 Iowa to Arizona you should expect to pay between $1,244 and $1,916.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from IA to AZ

When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Grand Canyon 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 Arizona.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Arizona spans approximately 1,368 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 Iowa, 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 Iowa and Arizona 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 Iowa to Arizona should take between three and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Arizona vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance 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
  • Vehicle inspection: 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.
  • Driver’s license: If you are a former resident of another state and now reside in Arizona, you will need to visit an Arizona Motor Vehicle Services office in person to obtain an Arizona driver's license. You have a 10-day window after relocating within the state to update the address on your Arizona driver's license.
  • Additional taxes: In Arizona, vehicle owners are required to pay the Vehicle License Tax (VLT) along with other fees. This tax serves as an alternative to the personal property tax that is imposed in some other states.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Iowa

More than 39 million people call Iowa home. Nicknamed 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.

Transporting your vehicle to Arizona

About 22 million people are living in 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.

FAQ

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

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

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Arizona, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Arizona, which you should verify before loading your car in Iowa.

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.

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

How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Arizona?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Arizona is about 1,368 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Iowa to Arizona.

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

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

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.

If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in Arizona?

If you are a former resident of another state and now reside in Arizona, you will need to visit an Arizona Motor Vehicle Services office in person to obtain an Arizona driver's license. You have a 10-day window after relocating within the state to update the address on your Arizona driver's license.

If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in Arizona after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to Arizona after purchasing it.

In Arizona, vehicle owners are required to pay the Vehicle License Tax (VLT) along with other fees. This tax serves as an alternative to the personal property tax that is imposed in some other states.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and Arizona to avoid any hidden costs.

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

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

Shipping a car from Iowa to Arizona costs $995 to $1,533.

Helpful Iowa resources