Iowa to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,847 miles from Iowa to California ranges from $1,266 to $1,954 and takes three–eleven 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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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Iowa car shipping guide.
The best Iowa to California car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Iowa to California:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No upfront payment
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Competitive pricing
- Door-to-door shipping
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
- Competitive pricing
- Last-minute car shipments
- Guaranteed & expedited shipments
- Gap insurance coverage
- Multiple discounts
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Alternative ways to ship your car from Iowa to California
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,847 miles on your car going from Iowa to California. 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 California, 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 California 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 CA 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 California. The average travel distance is about 1,847 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to eleven days .
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to California
| From Iowa to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,187 – $1,812 | 1,683 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Des Moines, IA to San Diego, CA | $1,241 – $1,891 | 1,745 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Des Moines, IA to San Jose, CA | $1,241 – $1,991 | 1,827 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Des Moines, IA to San Francisco, CA | $1,191 – $1,765 | 1,795 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Fresno, CA | $1,305 – $1,859 | 1,807 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to California
| From Iowa to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,330 – $1,821 | 1,810 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to San Diego, CA | $1,330 – $1,973 | 1,872 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to San Jose, CA | $1,337 – $1,971 | 1,954 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to San Francisco, CA | $1,311 – $1,951 | 1,922 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Fresno, CA | $1,350 – $2,050 | 1,934 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to California
| From Iowa to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,241 – $1,991 | 1,849 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Davenport, IA to San Diego, CA | $1,324 – $1,892 | 1,911 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Davenport, IA to San Jose, CA | $1,285 – $1,892 | 1,993 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Davenport, IA to San Francisco, CA | $1,298 – $1,931 | 1,960 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Davenport, IA to Fresno, CA | $1,259 – $2,030 | 1,973 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Sioux City, IA to California
| From Iowa to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,141 – $1,581 | 1,579 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux City, IA to San Diego, CA | $1,139 – $1,674 | 1,641 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux City, IA to San Jose, CA | $1,241 – $1,747 | 1,723 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux City, IA to San Francisco, CA | $1,175 – $1,639 | 1,691 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Fresno, CA | $1,216 – $1,711 | 1,703 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Iowa City, IA to California
| From Iowa to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,253 – $1,891 | 1,797 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Iowa City, IA to San Diego, CA | $1,330 – $1,954 | 1,859 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Iowa City, IA to San Jose, CA | $1,350 – $1,990 | 1,941 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Iowa City, IA to San Francisco, CA | $1,350 – $1,971 | 1,909 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Fresno, CA | $1,246 – $1,971 | 1,921 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to California
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 California you should expect to pay between $1,583 and $2,443.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from IA to CA
When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Golden 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 California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to California spans approximately 1,847 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 California 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 California should take between three and eleven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
California vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
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 California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Iowa and delivery in California?
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 California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, 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 minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to California is about 1,847 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from Iowa to California.
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.
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to California 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 California?
Shipping a car from Iowa to California costs $1,266 to $1,954.
