Iowa to Colorado Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 776 miles from Iowa to Colorado ranges from $945 to $1,406 and takes 2–7 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Colorado to Iowa car shipping guide.
Iowa to Colorado auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details 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 2 to 7 days.
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Colorado
| From Iowa to Colorado | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO | 669 miles | $914–$1,261 | 1–6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Colorado Springs, CO | 741 miles | $935–$1,316 | 1–6 days |
| Davenport, IA to Aurora, CO | 671 miles | $868–$1,274 | 1–6 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Fort Collins, CO | 649 miles | $852–$1,319 | 1–6 days |
| Boone, IA to Fruita, CO | 920 miles | $1,048–$1,502 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Colorado
| From Iowa to Colorado | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO | 797 miles | $1,013–$1,434 | 2–7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Colorado Springs, CO | 867 miles | $1,023–$1,438 | 2–7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Aurora, CO | 798 miles | $984–$1,492 | 2–7 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Fort Collins, CO | 776 miles | $945–$1,420 | 2–7 days |
| Boone, IA to Fruita, CO | 1,047 miles | $1,010–$1,600 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Colorado
| From Iowa to Colorado | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO | 839 miles | $978–$1,448 | 2–7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Colorado Springs, CO | 910 miles | $1,028–$1,609 | 2–7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Aurora, CO | 841 miles | $978–$1,434 | 2–7 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Fort Collins, CO | 818 miles | $952–$1,457 | 2–7 days |
| Boone, IA to Fruita, CO | 1,090 miles | $1,039–$1,536 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norwalk, IA to Colorado
| From Iowa to Colorado | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO | 674 miles | $941–$1,261 | 1–6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Colorado Springs, CO | 746 miles | $916–$1,357 | 1–6 days |
| Davenport, IA to Aurora, CO | 676 miles | $957–$1,330 | 1–6 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Fort Collins, CO | 654 miles | $950–$1,326 | 1–6 days |
| Boone, IA to Fruita, CO | 925 miles | $1,048–$1,563 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Boone, IA to Colorado
| From Iowa to Colorado | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO | 691 miles | $929–$1,383 | 1–6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Colorado Springs, CO | 762 miles | $926–$1,382 | 2–7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Aurora, CO | 693 miles | $929–$1,369 | 1–6 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Fort Collins, CO | 670 miles | $914–$1,274 | 1–6 days |
| Boone, IA to Fruita, CO | 942 miles | $998–$1,609 | 2–7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Colorado
Since vehicles like SUV, 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 $1,181 and $1,758.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Iowa to Colorado
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 2 and 7 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Iowa to Colorado car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Iowa to Colorado:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
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 hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Iowa to Colorado?
- 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
Over 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 of Colorado. 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 picking up my car in Iowa and when dropping off my car in Colorado?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to 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?
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.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Colorado?
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 2-7 days to travel from Iowa to Colorado.
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.
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?
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?
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.
