North Carolina to Iowa Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,063 miles from North Carolina to Iowa ranges from $866 to $1,373 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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  • Price lock promise
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  • Door-to-door service
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  • Services all 50 states
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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
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (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
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Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (224) 206-5633
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Get a quote (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Get a quote (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (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
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Get a quote (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Get a quote (888) 259-6046

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 1,063 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 1,063 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Charlotte, NC to Iowatoggle

From North Carolina to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Charlotte, NC to Des Moines, IA $800 – $1,266 1,050 miles 2 – 8 days
Charlotte, NC to Cedar Rapids, IA $805 – $1,274 965 miles 2 – 7 days
Charlotte, NC to Davenport, IA $838 – $1,288 885 miles 2 – 7 days
Charlotte, NC to Sioux City, IA $940 – $1,514 1,239 miles 2 – 8 days
Charlotte, NC to Iowa City, IA $806 – $1,341 940 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Raleigh, NC to Iowatoggle

From North Carolina to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Raleigh, NC to Des Moines, IA $916 – $1,363 1,102 miles 2 – 8 days
Raleigh, NC to Cedar Rapids, IA $841 – $1,266 1,015 miles 2 – 8 days
Raleigh, NC to Davenport, IA $873 – $1,315 936 miles 2 – 7 days
Raleigh, NC to Sioux City, IA $980 – $1,559 1,279 miles 3 – 8 days
Raleigh, NC to Iowa City, IA $803 – $1,258 987 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Greensboro, NC to Iowatoggle

From North Carolina to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Greensboro, NC to Des Moines, IA $816 – $1,306 1,028 miles 2 – 8 days
Greensboro, NC to Cedar Rapids, IA $831 – $1,250 941 miles 2 – 7 days
Greensboro, NC to Davenport, IA $827 – $1,235 862 miles 2 – 7 days
Greensboro, NC to Sioux City, IA $989 – $1,529 1,205 miles 2 – 8 days
Greensboro, NC to Iowa City, IA $814 – $1,289 917 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Durham, NC to Iowatoggle

From North Carolina to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Durham, NC to Des Moines, IA $808 – $1,319 1,079 miles 2 – 8 days
Durham, NC to Cedar Rapids, IA $845 – $1,324 992 miles 2 – 7 days
Durham, NC to Davenport, IA $831 – $1,354 913 miles 2 – 7 days
Durham, NC to Sioux City, IA $940 – $1,529 1,257 miles 3 – 8 days
Durham, NC to Iowa City, IA $864 – $1,340 969 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Winston-Salem, NC to Iowatoggle

From North Carolina to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA $825 – $1,386 1,003 miles 2 – 8 days
Winston-Salem, NC to Cedar Rapids, IA $831 – $1,277 916 miles 2 – 7 days
Winston-Salem, NC to Davenport, IA $865 – $1,207 836 miles 2 – 7 days
Winston-Salem, NC to Sioux City, IA $898 – $1,420 1,180 miles 2 – 8 days
Winston-Salem, NC to Iowa City, IA $880 – $1,237 892 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from North Carolina to Iowatoggle

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 $1,083 and $1,716.

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 1,063 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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from North Carolina to Iowa is about 1,063 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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

Shipping a car from North Carolina to Iowa costs $866 to $1,373.

Helpful North Carolina resources