Iowa to Virginia Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,018 miles from Iowa to Virginia ranges from $838 to $1,288 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 Virginia to Iowa car shipping guide.
The best Iowa to Virginia car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Iowa to Virginia:
- 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 Virginia
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,018 miles on your car going from Iowa to Virginia. 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia 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 VA 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 Virginia. The average travel distance is about 1,018 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Virginia
| From Iowa to Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Virginia Beach, VA | $985 – $1,479 | 1,209 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Chesapeake, VA | $976 – $1,449 | 1,206 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Arlington, VA | $781 – $1,353 | 1,018 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Norfolk, VA | $895 – $1,428 | 1,195 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Richmond, VA | $859 – $1,359 | 1,103 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Virginia
| From Iowa to Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Virginia Beach, VA | $912 – $1,442 | 1,123 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Chesapeake, VA | $868 – $1,401 | 1,120 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Arlington, VA | $837 – $1,297 | 931 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Norfolk, VA | $859 – $1,415 | 1,109 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Richmond, VA | $805 – $1,236 | 1,017 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Virginia
| From Iowa to Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA to Virginia Beach, VA | $838 – $1,367 | 1,042 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Chesapeake, VA | $854 – $1,367 | 1,039 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Arlington, VA | $783 – $1,268 | 851 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Davenport, IA to Norfolk, VA | $773 – $1,301 | 1,028 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Davenport, IA to Richmond, VA | $853 – $1,246 | 936 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Sioux City, IA to Virginia
| From Iowa to Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA to Virginia Beach, VA | $1,066 – $1,457 | 1,386 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Chesapeake, VA | $1,035 – $1,549 | 1,383 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Arlington, VA | $895 – $1,401 | 1,194 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Norfolk, VA | $975 – $1,472 | 1,372 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Richmond, VA | $1,004 – $1,537 | 1,280 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Iowa City, IA to Virginia
| From Iowa to Virginia | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA to Virginia Beach, VA | $805 – $1,367 | 1,098 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Chesapeake, VA | $797 – $1,301 | 1,095 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Arlington, VA | $861 – $1,322 | 907 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Norfolk, VA | $781 – $1,262 | 1,084 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Richmond, VA | $850 – $1,241 | 992 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Virginia
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 Virginia you should expect to pay between $1,048 and $1,610.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from IA to VA
When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Old Dominion 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 Virginia.
- Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Virginia spans approximately 1,018 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 Virginia 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 Virginia should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Virginia vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance requirements: It's crucial for drivers to have liability insurance, meeting the state's minimum coverage requirements: $25,000 for individual injury or death, $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, and $20,000 for property damage. Elevate your road safety with mandatory uninsured motorist coverage, ensuring protection with matching limits. Stay road-ready by fulfilling these insurance obligations in Virginia.
- Vehicle inspection: All vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspections at DMV-approved stations. Vehicles that fail can be re-inspected for free within 60 days. Upon passing, a sticker is issued to indicate the vehicle's compliance.
- Driver’s license: To obtain a driver's license, individuals must pass written, vision, and driving tests. To be eligible, individuals must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner's permit for at least 9 months. Specialized license types such as motorcycle, commercial, and provisional for under 18 are also available. Drivers with a valid out-of-state license can convert it without taking the test. Driver's licenses are issued by the DMV and are valid for 8 years, and can be renewed online or in person.
- Additional taxes: When moving to Virginia, you will need to register your vehicle with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 30 days of establishing residency in the state. As part of the registration process, you will be required to pay various taxes and fees, including a personal property tax on your vehicle. The amount of tax you will need to pay will depend on the value of your vehicle and the county or city in which you reside. Additionally, you may also need to pay a one-time vehicle titling fee, depending on the age of your vehicle. You should check with the Virginia DMV for specific details and requirements.
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 Virginia
About 22 million people are living in the Old Dominion State. Virginia has humid hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have a strong effect on eastern and southeastern coastal areas of the Commonwealth, making the climate there warmer and more constant.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Iowa and delivery in Virginia?
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 Virginia.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to Virginia?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Virginia, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Virginia, 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.
It's crucial for drivers to have liability insurance, meeting the state's minimum coverage requirements: $25,000 for individual injury or death, $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, and $20,000 for property damage. Elevate your road safety with mandatory uninsured motorist coverage, ensuring protection with matching limits. Stay road-ready by fulfilling these insurance obligations in Virginia.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Virginia?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Virginia is about 1,018 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 Virginia.
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 vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspections at DMV-approved stations. Vehicles that fail can be re-inspected for free within 60 days. Upon passing, a sticker is issued to indicate the vehicle's compliance.
If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in Virginia?
To obtain a driver's license, individuals must pass written, vision, and driving tests. To be eligible, individuals must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner's permit for at least 9 months. Specialized license types such as motorcycle, commercial, and provisional for under 18 are also available. Drivers with a valid out-of-state license can convert it without taking the test. Driver's licenses are issued by the DMV and are valid for 8 years, and can be renewed online or in person.
If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in Virginia after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to Virginia after purchasing it.
When moving to Virginia, you will need to register your vehicle with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 30 days of establishing residency in the state. As part of the registration process, you will be required to pay various taxes and fees, including a personal property tax on your vehicle. The amount of tax you will need to pay will depend on the value of your vehicle and the county or city in which you reside. Additionally, you may also need to pay a one-time vehicle titling fee, depending on the age of your vehicle. You should check with the Virginia DMV for specific details and requirements.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and Virginia to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Virginia?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Virginia 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 Virginia?
Shipping a car from Iowa to Virginia costs $838 to $1,288.
