Iowa to North Carolina Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,068 miles from Iowa to North Carolina ranges from $805 to $1,249 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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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our North Carolina to Iowa car shipping guide.
The best Iowa to North Carolina car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Iowa to North Carolina:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- 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
- 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
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
Alternative ways to ship your car from Iowa to North Carolina
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,068 miles on your car going from Iowa to North Carolina. 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina 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 NC 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 North Carolina. The average travel distance is about 1,068 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to North Carolina
| From Iowa to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Charlotte, NC | $838 – $1,249 | 1,051 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Raleigh, NC | $930 – $1,456 | 1,102 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Greensboro, NC | $789 – $1,367 | 1,028 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Durham, NC | $781 – $1,327 | 1,079 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Winston-Salem, NC | $822 – $1,353 | 1,002 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to North Carolina
| From Iowa to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Charlotte, NC | $827 – $1,321 | 964 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Raleigh, NC | $830 – $1,327 | 1,016 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Greensboro, NC | $796 – $1,233 | 942 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Durham, NC | $825 – $1,293 | 993 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Winston-Salem, NC | $845 – $1,284 | 917 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to North Carolina
| From Iowa to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA to Charlotte, NC | $818 – $1,221 | 884 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Raleigh, NC | $796 – $1,208 | 936 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Greensboro, NC | $848 – $1,280 | 862 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Durham, NC | $779 – $1,310 | 913 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Winston-Salem, NC | $771 – $1,263 | 836 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Sioux City, IA to North Carolina
| From Iowa to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA to Charlotte, NC | $1,004 – $1,479 | 1,227 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Raleigh, NC | $995 – $1,435 | 1,279 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Greensboro, NC | $918 – $1,435 | 1,205 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Durham, NC | $995 – $1,493 | 1,256 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Winston-Salem, NC | $921 – $1,359 | 1,179 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Iowa City, IA to North Carolina
| From Iowa to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA to Charlotte, NC | $828 – $1,246 | 939 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Raleigh, NC | $809 – $1,344 | 991 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Greensboro, NC | $787 – $1,297 | 917 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Durham, NC | $786 – $1,257 | 968 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Winston-Salem, NC | $827 – $1,246 | 891 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to North Carolina
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 North Carolina you should expect to pay between $1,006 and $1,561.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from IA to NC
When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Tar Heel 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 North Carolina.
- Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to North Carolina spans approximately 1,068 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
North Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance requirements: Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
- Vehicle inspection: Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
- Driver’s license: New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.
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 North Carolina
About 22 million people are living in the Tar Heel State. North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Iowa and delivery in North Carolina?
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 North Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to North Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to North Carolina, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to North Carolina, 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.
Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to North Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to North Carolina is about 1,068 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 North Carolina.
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.
Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in North Carolina?
New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in North Carolina after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to North Carolina after purchasing it.
If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and North Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to North Carolina?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Shipping a car from Iowa to North Carolina costs $805 to $1,249.
