Iowa to Maryland Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,014 miles from Iowa to Maryland ranges from $782 to $1,383 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.

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  • Established in 2007
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  • No deposit
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Maryland to Iowa car shipping guide.

The best Iowa to Maryland car shipping companies

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

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 quick pickup
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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
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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for discounts
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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
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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
At A Glance
  • 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

Alternative ways to ship your car from Iowa to Maryland

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,014 miles on your car going from Iowa to Maryland. 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 Maryland, 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 Maryland 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 MD 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 Maryland. The average travel distance is about 1,014 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

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

From Iowa to Maryland Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Des Moines, IA to Washington DC, MD $831 – $1,304 1,012 miles 2 – 8 days
Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD $823 – $1,251 1,020 miles 2 – 8 days
Des Moines, IA to Columbia, MD $840 – $1,370 1,013 miles 2 – 8 days
Des Moines, IA to Germantown, MD $852 – $1,348 990 miles 2 – 7 days
Des Moines, IA to Silver Spring, MD $782 – $1,357 1,008 miles 2 – 8 days

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

From Iowa to Maryland Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cedar Rapids, IA to Washington DC, MD $838 – $1,223 926 miles 2 – 7 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Baltimore, MD $797 – $1,338 934 miles 2 – 7 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Columbia, MD $847 – $1,248 926 miles 2 – 7 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Germantown, MD $821 – $1,249 903 miles 2 – 7 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Silver Spring, MD $830 – $1,287 923 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Maryland

From Iowa to Maryland Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Davenport, IA to Washington DC, MD $805 – $1,242 846 miles 2 – 7 days
Davenport, IA to Baltimore, MD $850 – $1,295 854 miles 2 – 7 days
Davenport, IA to Columbia, MD $797 – $1,192 846 miles 2 – 7 days
Davenport, IA to Germantown, MD $776 – $1,212 823 miles 2 – 7 days
Davenport, IA to Silver Spring, MD $838 – $1,242 842 miles 2 – 7 days

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

From Iowa to Maryland Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sioux City, IA to Washington DC, MD $870 – $1,404 1,189 miles 2 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Baltimore, MD $870 – $1,418 1,197 miles 2 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Columbia, MD $879 – $1,432 1,190 miles 2 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Germantown, MD $888 – $1,446 1,167 miles 2 – 8 days
Sioux City, IA to Silver Spring, MD $879 – $1,390 1,186 miles 2 – 8 days

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

From Iowa to Maryland Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Iowa City, IA to Washington DC, MD $821 – $1,274 901 miles 2 – 7 days
Iowa City, IA to Baltimore, MD $855 – $1,287 909 miles 2 – 7 days
Iowa City, IA to Columbia, MD $813 – $1,313 902 miles 2 – 7 days
Iowa City, IA to Germantown, MD $861 – $1,198 879 miles 2 – 7 days
Iowa City, IA to Silver Spring, MD $803 – $1,235 897 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Maryland

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 Maryland you should expect to pay between $978 and $1,729.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from IA to MD

When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Old Line 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 Maryland.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Maryland spans approximately 1,014 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 Maryland 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 Maryland should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Maryland vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: All vehicles in Maryland must maintain insurance coverage from a Maryland-licensed insurance company at all times, with mandatory minimum coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.
  • Vehicle inspection: If you recently relocated to Maryland or bought a vehicle, you must get it inspected at an authorized inspection station before registering the vehicle. New residents are mandated to undergo a vehicle safety inspection before obtaining car registration.
  • Driver’s license: As a new resident of Maryland, it's mandatory to obtain a Maryland driver's license within 60 days. You need to surrender your previous state's driver's license before obtaining a Maryland one.
  • Additional taxes: The sales tax in Maryland is set at 6%. This applies to both new and used car purchases, adding an additional 6% to the cost. Fortunately for Maryland residents, there is no sales tax imposed by any other governing level in 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 Maryland

About 22 million people are living in the Old Line State. Maryland has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to water, and protection from colder weather due to downslope winds. The eastern half of Maryland — which includes the cities of Ocean City, Salisbury, Annapolis, and the southern and eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore — lies on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with flat topography and sandy or muddy soil. This region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a short, mild-to-cool winter

FAQ

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

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 Maryland.

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

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

All vehicles in Maryland must maintain insurance coverage from a Maryland-licensed insurance company at all times, with mandatory minimum coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Maryland is about 1,014 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Iowa to Maryland.

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.

If you recently relocated to Maryland or bought a vehicle, you must get it inspected at an authorized inspection station before registering the vehicle. New residents are mandated to undergo a vehicle safety inspection before obtaining car registration.

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

As a new resident of Maryland, it's mandatory to obtain a Maryland driver's license within 60 days. You need to surrender your previous state's driver's license before obtaining a Maryland one.

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

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

The sales tax in Maryland is set at 6%. This applies to both new and used car purchases, adding an additional 6% to the cost. Fortunately for Maryland residents, there is no sales tax imposed by any other governing level in the state.

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Iowa to Maryland costs $782 to $1,383.

Helpful Iowa resources