Kansas to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 452 miles from Kansas to Iowa ranges from $630 to $864 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.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Services all 50 states
  • Ships most vehicles

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

The best Kansas to Iowa car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Kansas to Iowa

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 452 miles on your car going from Kansas to Iowa. 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 Kansas for a move to Iowa, 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 Kansas to Iowa 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!

KS to IA auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Kansas and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 452 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

Cost to ship a car from Wichita, KS to Iowa

From Kansas to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Wichita, KS to Des Moines, IA $556 – $809 390 miles 1 – 4 days
Wichita, KS to Cedar Rapids, IA $677 – $886 517 miles 1 – 6 days
Wichita, KS to Davenport, IA $655 – $938 558 miles 1 – 6 days
Wichita, KS to Sioux City, IA $609 – $761 398 miles 1 – 4 days
Wichita, KS to Iowa City, IA $683 – $922 504 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Overland Park, KS to Iowa

From Kansas to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Overland Park, KS to Des Moines, IA $447 – $569 204 miles 1 – 4 days
Overland Park, KS to Cedar Rapids, IA $555 – $766 331 miles 1 – 4 days
Overland Park, KS to Davenport, IA $586 – $771 372 miles 1 – 4 days
Overland Park, KS to Sioux City, IA $464 – $673 286 miles 1 – 4 days
Overland Park, KS to Iowa City, IA $533 – $658 318 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Kansas City, KS to Iowa

From Kansas to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Kansas City, KS to Des Moines, IA $441 – $557 196 miles 1 – 4 days
Kansas City, KS to Cedar Rapids, IA $518 – $714 323 miles 1 – 4 days
Kansas City, KS to Davenport, IA $541 – $793 364 miles 1 – 4 days
Kansas City, KS to Sioux City, IA $429 – $610 274 miles 1 – 4 days
Kansas City, KS to Iowa City, IA $528 – $714 310 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Olathe, KS to Iowa

From Kansas to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Olathe, KS to Des Moines, IA $469 – $610 214 miles 1 – 4 days
Olathe, KS to Cedar Rapids, IA $534 – $693 342 miles 1 – 4 days
Olathe, KS to Davenport, IA $597 – $809 383 miles 1 – 4 days
Olathe, KS to Sioux City, IA $479 – $673 292 miles 1 – 4 days
Olathe, KS to Iowa City, IA $545 – $722 329 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Topeka, KS to Iowa

From Kansas to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Topeka, KS to Des Moines, IA $465 – $616 254 miles 1 – 4 days
Topeka, KS to Cedar Rapids, IA $562 – $833 382 miles 1 – 4 days
Topeka, KS to Davenport, IA $587 – $836 423 miles 1 – 4 days
Topeka, KS to Sioux City, IA $443 – $598 259 miles 1 – 4 days
Topeka, KS to Iowa City, IA $575 – $732 368 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Kansas to Iowa

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 Kansas to Iowa you should expect to pay between $788 and $1,080.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from KS to IA

When transporting your vehicle from the Sunflower State to the Hawkeye 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 Iowa.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Kansas to Iowa spans approximately 452 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 Kansas, 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 Kansas and Iowa 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 Kansas to Iowa should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Iowa vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance 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.
  • Vehicle inspection: In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
  • Driver’s license: New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain an Iowa license within 30 days of establishing permanent residency. To do so, visit the DMV with your former state license, as it will need to be surrendered for the new license.
  • Additional taxes: In Iowa, sales of vehicles requiring registration are exempt from sales tax but subject to a 5% fee for new registration.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Kansas

More than 39 million people call Kansas home. Nicknamed the Sunflower State, In the eastern two-thirds of Kansas, there are cool to cold winters and hot, often humid summers. Most of the rainfall occurs during the summer and the spring. In the western third of Kansas, the summers are hot but less humid. Winters change between warm and very cold. Kansas has some severe weather, mainly thunderstorms and tornadoes. Kansas averages about 50 tornadoes annually. Be sure to check the weather before your move to avoid thunderstorms or possible tornadoes.

Transporting your vehicle to Iowa

About 22 million people are living in 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.

FAQ

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

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Kansas and when dropping it off in Iowa.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Kansas to Iowa, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Iowa, which you should verify before loading your car in Kansas.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Kansas mandates car insurance for all drivers, with minimum liability coverage: $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.

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.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kansas to Iowa is about 452 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Kansas to Iowa.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

Kansas only requires car inspections when registering an out-of-state vehicle.

In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.

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

New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain an Iowa license within 30 days of establishing permanent residency. To do so, visit the DMV with your former state license, as it will need to be surrendered for the new license.

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

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

In Iowa, sales of vehicles requiring registration are exempt from sales tax but subject to a 5% fee for new registration.

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Kansas to Iowa costs $630 to $864.

Helpful Kansas resources