Missouri to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 326 miles from Missouri to Iowa ranges from $513 to $700 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.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to Missouri car shipping guide.
The best Missouri to Iowa car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Missouri to Iowa:
- 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 Missouri to Iowa
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 326 miles on your car going from Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri 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!
MO 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 Missouri and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 326 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .
Cost to ship a car from Kansas City, MO to Iowa
| From Missouri to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO to Des Moines, IA | $411 – $546 | 193 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Kansas City, MO to Cedar Rapids, IA | $492 – $658 | 320 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Kansas City, MO to Davenport, IA | $564 – $771 | 361 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Kansas City, MO to Sioux City, IA | $474 – $679 | 278 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Kansas City, MO to Iowa City, IA | $523 – $728 | 307 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from St. Louis, MO to Iowa
| From Missouri to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA | $561 – $752 | 341 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Louis, MO to Cedar Rapids, IA | $503 – $679 | 284 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Louis, MO to Davenport, IA | $456 – $610 | 266 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Louis, MO to Sioux City, IA | $684 – $927 | 525 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| St. Louis, MO to Iowa City, IA | $456 – $592 | 260 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Springfield, MO to Iowa
| From Missouri to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MO to Des Moines, IA | $586 – $801 | 355 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Springfield, MO to Cedar Rapids, IA | $587 – $828 | 401 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Springfield, MO to Davenport, IA | $599 – $836 | 402 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Springfield, MO to Sioux City, IA | $634 – $810 | 443 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Springfield, MO to Iowa City, IA | $603 – $825 | 377 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, MO to Iowa
| From Missouri to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MO to Des Moines, IA | $471 – $579 | 225 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, MO to Cedar Rapids, IA | $465 – $641 | 254 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, MO to Davenport, IA | $443 – $580 | 257 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, MO to Sioux City, IA | $611 – $861 | 403 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, MO to Iowa City, IA | $448 – $596 | 229 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Independence, MO to Iowa
| From Missouri to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence, MO to Des Moines, IA | $424 – $574 | 194 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Independence, MO to Cedar Rapids, IA | $523 – $658 | 322 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Independence, MO to Davenport, IA | $541 – $763 | 363 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Independence, MO to Sioux City, IA | $503 – $666 | 288 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Independence, MO to Iowa City, IA | $502 – $728 | 309 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Missouri 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 Missouri to Iowa you should expect to pay between $641 and $875.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from MO to IA
When transporting your vehicle from the Show-Me 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 Missouri to Iowa spans approximately 326 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri
More than 39 million people call Missouri home. Nicknamed the Show-Me State, Although temperature in Missouri doesn't get extreme, being in the heart of tornado alley means that storms in the area are common. Be sure to check the weather forecast before move day to prepare for any upcoming weather.
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 Missouri 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 Missouri and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Missouri to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Missouri 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 Missouri.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Missouri, drivers must have minimum liability coverage, including $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with $25,000 per accident for property damage. Adherence to these requirements is crucial for financial responsibility and contributes to a safer driving environment.
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 Missouri to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Missouri to Iowa is about 326 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Missouri to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Missouri's DMV requires that passenger vehicles undergo a biennial safety inspection to evaluate the condition of its suspension, seatbelts, headlights, and related components. Additionally, residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area are required to have vehicle emission inspections.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in Missouri, 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri 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 Missouri and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Missouri to Iowa?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Missouri 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 Missouri to Iowa?
Shipping a car from Missouri to Iowa costs $513 to $700.
