North Carolina to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,068 miles from North Carolina to Iowa ranges from $813 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 Iowa to North Carolina car shipping guide.
The best North Carolina to Iowa car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from North Carolina 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 North Carolina to Iowa
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,068 miles on your car going from North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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!
NC 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 North Carolina and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 1,068 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .
Cost to ship a car from Charlotte, NC to Iowa
| From North Carolina to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC to Des Moines, IA | $846 – $1,353 | 1,051 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Charlotte, NC to Cedar Rapids, IA | $844 – $1,257 | 964 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charlotte, NC to Davenport, IA | $794 – $1,183 | 884 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charlotte, NC to Sioux City, IA | $957 – $1,464 | 1,228 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Charlotte, NC to Iowa City, IA | $804 – $1,322 | 940 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Raleigh, NC to Iowa
| From North Carolina to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC to Des Moines, IA | $842 – $1,331 | 1,104 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Cedar Rapids, IA | $854 – $1,340 | 1,016 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Davenport, IA | $796 – $1,259 | 936 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Sioux City, IA | $1,004 – $1,449 | 1,279 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Iowa City, IA | $841 – $1,280 | 992 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Greensboro, NC to Iowa
| From North Carolina to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro, NC to Des Moines, IA | $773 – $1,275 | 1,028 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Cedar Rapids, IA | $853 – $1,310 | 940 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Davenport, IA | $800 – $1,169 | 861 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Sioux City, IA | $928 – $1,435 | 1,204 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Iowa City, IA | $804 – $1,196 | 916 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Durham, NC to Iowa
| From North Carolina to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham, NC to Des Moines, IA | $822 – $1,301 | 1,081 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Durham, NC to Cedar Rapids, IA | $858 – $1,306 | 993 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Durham, NC to Davenport, IA | $804 – $1,234 | 913 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Durham, NC to Sioux City, IA | $918 – $1,406 | 1,256 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Durham, NC to Iowa City, IA | $778 – $1,347 | 969 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Winston-Salem, NC to Iowa
| From North Carolina to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA | $838 – $1,288 | 1,004 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Cedar Rapids, IA | $812 – $1,322 | 916 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Davenport, IA | $812 – $1,178 | 836 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Sioux City, IA | $850 – $1,373 | 1,179 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Iowa City, IA | $859 – $1,183 | 892 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from North Carolina 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 North Carolina to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,016 and $1,610.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from NC to IA
When transporting your vehicle from the Tar Heel 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 North Carolina to Iowa spans approximately 1,068 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina to Iowa should take between two and eight 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 North Carolina
More than 39 million people call North Carolina home. Nicknamed the Tar Heel State, North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from North Carolina to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from North Carolina 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 North Carolina.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state 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.
How long does it take to ship a car from North Carolina to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from North Carolina to Iowa is about 1,068 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from North Carolina to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in North Carolina, 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from North Carolina to Iowa?
The cheapest way to ship a car from North Carolina 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 North Carolina to Iowa?
Shipping a car from North Carolina to Iowa costs $813 to $1,288.
