Iowa to Missouri Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 325 miles from Iowa to Missouri ranges from $519 to $724 and takes one–four 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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  • Price lock promise
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  • Established in 2007
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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Missouri to Iowa car shipping guide.

The best Iowa to Missouri car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • 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
At A Glance
  • 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 Missouri

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 325 miles on your car going from Iowa to Missouri. 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri 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 MO 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 Missouri. The average travel distance is about 325 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

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

From Iowa to Missouri Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Des Moines, IA to Kansas City, MO $420 – $558 193 miles 1 – 4 days
Des Moines, IA to St. Louis, MO $546 – $753 349 miles 1 – 4 days
Des Moines, IA to Springfield, MO $542 – $741 357 miles 1 – 4 days
Des Moines, IA to Columbia, MO $435 – $622 225 miles 1 – 4 days
Des Moines, IA to Independence, MO $425 – $569 195 miles 1 – 4 days

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

From Iowa to Missouri Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cedar Rapids, IA to Kansas City, MO $498 – $722 319 miles 1 – 4 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to St. Louis, MO $470 – $654 284 miles 1 – 4 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Springfield, MO $606 – $846 402 miles 1 – 4 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Columbia, MO $470 – $625 247 miles 1 – 4 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Independence, MO $519 – $694 322 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Missouri

From Iowa to Missouri Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Davenport, IA to Kansas City, MO $559 – $788 359 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to St. Louis, MO $475 – $605 265 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Springfield, MO $587 – $779 397 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Columbia, MO $466 – $648 257 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Independence, MO $582 – $772 360 miles 1 – 4 days

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

From Iowa to Missouri Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sioux City, IA to Kansas City, MO $470 – $628 278 miles 1 – 4 days
Sioux City, IA to St. Louis, MO $692 – $985 525 miles 1 – 6 days
Sioux City, IA to Springfield, MO $610 – $879 443 miles 1 – 4 days
Sioux City, IA to Columbia, MO $624 – $855 403 miles 1 – 4 days
Sioux City, IA to Independence, MO $484 – $694 288 miles 1 – 4 days

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

From Iowa to Missouri Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Iowa City, IA to Kansas City, MO $524 – $666 306 miles 1 – 4 days
Iowa City, IA to St. Louis, MO $453 – $642 259 miles 1 – 4 days
Iowa City, IA to Springfield, MO $557 – $795 377 miles 1 – 4 days
Iowa City, IA to Columbia, MO $463 – $604 223 miles 1 – 4 days
Iowa City, IA to Independence, MO $539 – $715 309 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Missouri

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 Missouri you should expect to pay between $649 and $905.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from IA to MO

When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Show-Me 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 Missouri.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Missouri spans approximately 325 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 Missouri 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 Missouri should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Missouri vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: In Missouri, drivers must have minimum liability coverage, including $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with $25,000 per accident for property damage. Adherence to these requirements is crucial for financial responsibility and contributes to a safer driving environment.
  • Vehicle inspection: Missouri's DMV requires that passenger vehicles undergo a biennial safety inspection to evaluate the condition of its suspension, seatbelts, headlights, and related components. Additionally, residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area are required to have vehicle emission inspections.
  • Driver’s license: As a new resident of Missouri with an out-of-state driver's license or non-driver ID, either valid or expired for no longer than 184 days, you must provide acceptable documents to demonstrate Proof of Identity, Proof of Legal Status, Proof of Social Security Number, and Proof of Missouri residency.
  • Additional taxes: If you purchased your vehicle outside of Missouri and have already paid taxes for it in that state, the amount paid will be considered towards the taxes owed in Missouri. If the tax paid in the previous state is lower than the taxes owed in Missouri, you will be required to pay the balance. If the vehicle was registered under your name in another state for more than 90 days, no sales tax will be imposed in Missouri.

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 Missouri

About 22 million people are living in the Show-Me State. Although temperature in Missouri doesn't get extreme, being in the heart of tornado alley means that storms in the area are common. Be sure to check the weather forecast before move day to prepare for any upcoming weather.

FAQ

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

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 Missouri.

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

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

In Missouri, drivers must have minimum liability coverage, including $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with $25,000 per accident for property damage. Adherence to these requirements is crucial for financial responsibility and contributes to a safer driving environment.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Missouri is about 325 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Iowa to Missouri.

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.

Missouri's DMV requires that passenger vehicles undergo a biennial safety inspection to evaluate the condition of its suspension, seatbelts, headlights, and related components. Additionally, residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area are required to have vehicle emission inspections.

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

As a new resident of Missouri with an out-of-state driver's license or non-driver ID, either valid or expired for no longer than 184 days, you must provide acceptable documents to demonstrate Proof of Identity, Proof of Legal Status, Proof of Social Security Number, and Proof of Missouri residency.

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

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

If you purchased your vehicle outside of Missouri and have already paid taxes for it in that state, the amount paid will be considered towards the taxes owed in Missouri. If the tax paid in the previous state is lower than the taxes owed in Missouri, you will be required to pay the balance. If the vehicle was registered under your name in another state for more than 90 days, no sales tax will be imposed in Missouri.

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Iowa to Missouri costs $519 to $724.

Helpful Iowa resources