Iowa to Rhode Island Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,255 miles from Iowa to Rhode Island ranges from $976 to $1,479 and takes three–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 Rhode Island to Iowa car shipping guide.
The best Iowa to Rhode Island car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Iowa to Rhode Island:
- 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 Rhode Island
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,255 miles on your car going from Iowa to Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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 RI 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 Rhode Island. The average travel distance is about 1,255 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to eight days .
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Rhode Island
| From Iowa to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Providence, RI | $966 – $1,420 | 1,286 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Warwick, RI | $985 – $1,508 | 1,279 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Cranston, RI | $985 – $1,420 | 1,283 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Pawtucket, RI | $1,004 – $1,420 | 1,293 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to East Providence, RI | $1,004 – $1,464 | 1,287 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Rhode Island
| From Iowa to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Providence, RI | $937 – $1,493 | 1,200 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Warwick, RI | $842 – $1,359 | 1,192 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Cranston, RI | $868 – $1,456 | 1,197 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Pawtucket, RI | $1,004 – $1,420 | 1,207 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to East Providence, RI | $947 – $1,391 | 1,200 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Rhode Island
| From Iowa to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA to Providence, RI | $904 – $1,442 | 1,119 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Warwick, RI | $904 – $1,373 | 1,112 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Cranston, RI | $859 – $1,442 | 1,117 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Pawtucket, RI | $895 – $1,387 | 1,127 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Davenport, IA to East Providence, RI | $912 – $1,415 | 1,120 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Sioux City, IA to Rhode Island
| From Iowa to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA to Providence, RI | $1,125 – $1,578 | 1,463 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Warwick, RI | $1,093 – $1,530 | 1,456 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Cranston, RI | $1,082 – $1,642 | 1,460 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Pawtucket, RI | $1,082 – $1,594 | 1,470 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to East Providence, RI | $1,136 – $1,642 | 1,463 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Iowa City, IA to Rhode Island
| From Iowa to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA to Providence, RI | $859 – $1,359 | 1,174 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Warwick, RI | $850 – $1,401 | 1,168 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Cranston, RI | $895 – $1,331 | 1,172 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Pawtucket, RI | $904 – $1,456 | 1,182 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Iowa City, IA to East Providence, RI | $877 – $1,373 | 1,176 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island you should expect to pay between $1,220 and $1,849.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from IA to RI
When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Ocean 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 Rhode Island.
- Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Rhode Island spans approximately 1,255 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island should take between three and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Rhode Island vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance requirements: When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
- Vehicle inspection: All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
- Driver’s license: If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
- Additional taxes: When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.
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 Rhode Island
About 22 million people are living in the Ocean State. Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Iowa and delivery in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to Rhode Island?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Rhode Island, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Rhode Island, 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.
When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Rhode Island?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Rhode Island is about 1,255 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Iowa to Rhode Island.
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.
All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in Rhode Island?
If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in Rhode Island after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to Rhode Island after purchasing it.
When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and Rhode Island to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Rhode Island?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
Shipping a car from Iowa to Rhode Island costs $976 to $1,479.
