Iowa to Ohio Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 616 miles from Iowa to Ohio ranges from $768 to $1,079 and takes one–six 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
  • Quick pickup

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

The best Iowa to Ohio car shipping companies

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

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
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  • 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 Ohio

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 616 miles on your car going from Iowa to Ohio. 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 Ohio, 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 Ohio 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 OH 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 Ohio. The average travel distance is about 616 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days .

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

From Iowa to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Des Moines, IA to Columbus, OH $798 – $1,059 652 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Cleveland, OH $737 – $1,124 662 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Cincinnati, OH $700 – $1,019 585 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Toledo, OH $683 – $988 562 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Akron, OH $780 – $1,095 684 miles 1 – 6 days

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

From Iowa to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cedar Rapids, IA to Columbus, OH $697 – $920 566 miles 1 – 6 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Cleveland, OH $722 – $999 576 miles 1 – 6 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Cincinnati, OH $675 – $918 499 miles 1 – 4 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Toledo, OH $682 – $918 475 miles 1 – 4 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Akron, OH $708 – $949 598 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Ohio

From Iowa to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Davenport, IA to Columbus, OH $630 – $909 485 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Cleveland, OH $649 – $909 496 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Cincinnati, OH $576 – $846 419 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Toledo, OH $557 – $762 395 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Akron, OH $691 – $906 518 miles 1 – 6 days

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

From Iowa to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sioux City, IA to Columbus, OH $855 – $1,192 829 miles 2 – 7 days
Sioux City, IA to Cleveland, OH $789 – $1,229 839 miles 2 – 7 days
Sioux City, IA to Cincinnati, OH $819 – $1,161 762 miles 2 – 7 days
Sioux City, IA to Toledo, OH $762 – $1,163 738 miles 1 – 6 days
Sioux City, IA to Akron, OH $842 – $1,258 861 miles 2 – 7 days

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

From Iowa to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Iowa City, IA to Columbus, OH $658 – $966 541 miles 1 – 6 days
Iowa City, IA to Cleveland, OH $697 – $920 551 miles 1 – 6 days
Iowa City, IA to Cincinnati, OH $612 – $918 474 miles 1 – 4 days
Iowa City, IA to Toledo, OH $644 – $900 450 miles 1 – 4 days
Iowa City, IA to Akron, OH $669 – $998 573 miles 1 – 6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Ohio

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 Ohio you should expect to pay between $960 and $1,349.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from IA to OH

When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Buckeye 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 Ohio.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Ohio spans approximately 616 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 Ohio 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 Ohio should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Ohio vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: In Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.
  • Driver’s license: In Ohio, you have 30 days to transfer your license and get an Ohio title and license plates for your vehicle. Failure to do so can result in trouble from law enforcement and government agents.
  • Additional taxes: Ohio requires sales tax if a vehicle was purchased out of state less than 6 months before moving to Ohio. However, a credit for sales tax paid to the other state may be allowed. If the vehicle was purchased at least 6 months before moving, no Ohio sales tax is due and the exemption code CV should be used when titling the vehicle.

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 Ohio

About 22 million people are living in the Buckeye State. Ohio forms a part of what's considered both the snowbelt and the tornado alley which means your move may be affected if either of these are impacting the state on your move day.

FAQ

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

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 Ohio.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Ohio, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Ohio, 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 Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced protection.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Ohio is about 616 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Iowa to Ohio.

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.

New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.

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

In Ohio, you have 30 days to transfer your license and get an Ohio title and license plates for your vehicle. Failure to do so can result in trouble from law enforcement and government agents.

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

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

Ohio requires sales tax if a vehicle was purchased out of state less than 6 months before moving to Ohio. However, a credit for sales tax paid to the other state may be allowed. If the vehicle was purchased at least 6 months before moving, no Ohio sales tax is due and the exemption code CV should be used when titling the vehicle.

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Iowa to Ohio costs $768 to $1,079.

Helpful Iowa resources