Iowa to Colorado Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 776 miles from Iowa to Colorado ranges from $741 to $1,113 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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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Colorado to Iowa car shipping guide.

The best Iowa to Colorado car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (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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Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (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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Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Get a quote (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Get a quote (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (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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Get a quote (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (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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Get a quote (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Iowa to Colorado

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 776 miles on your car going from Iowa to Colorado. 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 Colorado, 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 Colorado 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 CO 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 Colorado. The average travel distance is about 776 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days .

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

From Iowa to Colorado Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO $709 – $1,071 670 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Colorado Springs, CO $764 – $1,097 740 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Aurora, CO $709 – $1,009 672 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Fort Collins, CO $675 – $1,035 649 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Lakewood, CO $750 – $1,053 676 miles 1 – 6 days

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

From Iowa to Colorado Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cedar Rapids, IA to Denver, CO $787 – $1,159 785 miles 2 – 7 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Colorado Springs, CO $794 – $1,210 859 miles 2 – 7 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Aurora, CO $779 – $1,136 791 miles 2 – 7 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Fort Collins, CO $779 – $1,159 775 miles 2 – 7 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Lakewood, CO $764 – $1,136 793 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Coloradotoggle

From Iowa to Colorado Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Davenport, IA to Denver, CO $790 – $1,194 839 miles 2 – 7 days
Davenport, IA to Colorado Springs, CO $759 – $1,177 907 miles 2 – 7 days
Davenport, IA to Aurora, CO $759 – $1,159 837 miles 2 – 7 days
Davenport, IA to Fort Collins, CO $778 – $1,212 815 miles 2 – 7 days
Davenport, IA to Lakewood, CO $806 – $1,136 843 miles 2 – 7 days

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

From Iowa to Colorado Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sioux City, IA to Denver, CO $671 – $950 565 miles 1 – 6 days
Sioux City, IA to Colorado Springs, CO $696 – $1,055 637 miles 1 – 6 days
Sioux City, IA to Aurora, CO $631 – $895 568 miles 1 – 6 days
Sioux City, IA to Fort Collins, CO $666 – $866 545 miles 1 – 6 days
Sioux City, IA to Lakewood, CO $664 – $950 572 miles 1 – 6 days

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

From Iowa to Colorado Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Iowa City, IA to Denver, CO $795 – $1,125 784 miles 2 – 7 days
Iowa City, IA to Colorado Springs, CO $755 – $1,210 854 miles 2 – 7 days
Iowa City, IA to Aurora, CO $787 – $1,193 785 miles 2 – 7 days
Iowa City, IA to Fort Collins, CO $795 – $1,117 763 miles 2 – 7 days
Iowa City, IA to Lakewood, CO $764 – $1,159 791 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Coloradotoggle

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 Colorado you should expect to pay between $926 and $1,391.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from IA to CO

When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Centennial 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 Colorado.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Colorado spans approximately 776 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 Colorado 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 Colorado should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Colorado vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: To drive in Colorado, you must have insurance with minimum 25/50/10 liability limits, covering $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. While meeting the state's minimum requirement, it's advisable to consider factors for determining optimal coverage levels.
  • Vehicle inspection: To register and title your vehicle in Colorado within 90 days of moving, you'll need to provide the DMV with an out-of-state vehicle title, proof of a valid Colorado auto insurance policy, verifiable identification, and documentation of the vehicle's weight.
  • Driver’s license: To obtain a Colorado driver's license, new residents must visit a Colorado DMV office in person. The process cannot be done online or by phone. A valid out-of-state license is required, with no suspensions, revocations, or cancellations, and must not have been deemed unfit to drive by CO DMV or a court.
  • Additional taxes: Vehicles purchased outside Colorado are not taxed, but if they are registered in Colorado, the buyer must pay use and local taxes. If the buyer has already paid taxes in the state of purchase, they may claim credit towards the use tax. No use tax applies to vehicles brought into Colorado by a nonresident becoming a resident, but rules may differ for those who lease vehicles.

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 Colorado

About 22 million people are living in the Centennial State. Colorado has a relatively complex climate. Ranging from the famous mountain region of the state to desert. Therefore, keep track of the weather of your new city on move day. The most extreme weather that happens in Colorado happens in the least populated areas of the state but you may drive through these regions to get to your new home so be wary of that too.

FAQ

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

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 Colorado.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Colorado, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Colorado, 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.

To drive in Colorado, you must have insurance with minimum 25/50/10 liability limits, covering $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. While meeting the state's minimum requirement, it's advisable to consider factors for determining optimal coverage levels.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Colorado is about 776 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Iowa to Colorado.

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

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

To register and title your vehicle in Colorado within 90 days of moving, you'll need to provide the DMV with an out-of-state vehicle title, proof of a valid Colorado auto insurance policy, verifiable identification, and documentation of the vehicle's weight.

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

To obtain a Colorado driver's license, new residents must visit a Colorado DMV office in person. The process cannot be done online or by phone. A valid out-of-state license is required, with no suspensions, revocations, or cancellations, and must not have been deemed unfit to drive by CO DMV or a court.

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

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

Vehicles purchased outside Colorado are not taxed, but if they are registered in Colorado, the buyer must pay use and local taxes. If the buyer has already paid taxes in the state of purchase, they may claim credit towards the use tax. No use tax applies to vehicles brought into Colorado by a nonresident becoming a resident, but rules may differ for those who lease vehicles.

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

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Colorado 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 Colorado?toggle

Shipping a car from Iowa to Colorado costs $741 to $1,113.

Helpful Iowa resources