North Dakota to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 713 miles from North Dakota to Iowa ranges from $782 to $1,149 and takes one–six 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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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to North Dakota car shipping guide.

The best North Dakota 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 Dakota to Iowa:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
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  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
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  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
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  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from North Dakota to Iowa

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 713 miles on your car going from North Dakota 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 Dakota 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 Dakota 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!

ND 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 Dakota and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 713 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days .

Cost to ship a car from Fargo, ND to Iowa

From North Dakota to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Fargo, ND to Des Moines, IA $609 – $881 478 miles 1 – 4 days
Fargo, ND to Cedar Rapids, IA $670 – $850 510 miles 1 – 6 days
Fargo, ND to Davenport, IA $727 – $957 592 miles 1 – 6 days
Fargo, ND to Sioux City, IA $482 – $679 324 miles 1 – 4 days
Fargo, ND to Iowa City, IA $670 – $927 537 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Bismarck, ND to Iowa

From North Dakota to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Bismarck, ND to Des Moines, IA $781 – $1,068 669 miles 1 – 6 days
Bismarck, ND to Cedar Rapids, IA $743 – $1,105 702 miles 1 – 6 days
Bismarck, ND to Davenport, IA $761 – $1,120 783 miles 2 – 7 days
Bismarck, ND to Sioux City, IA $673 – $846 487 miles 1 – 4 days
Bismarck, ND to Iowa City, IA $769 – $1,150 729 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Grand Forks, ND to Iowa

From North Dakota to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Grand Forks, ND to Des Moines, IA $703 – $967 557 miles 1 – 6 days
Grand Forks, ND to Cedar Rapids, IA $699 – $1,016 590 miles 1 – 6 days
Grand Forks, ND to Davenport, IA $728 – $1,100 671 miles 1 – 6 days
Grand Forks, ND to Sioux City, IA $581 – $795 400 miles 1 – 4 days
Grand Forks, ND to Iowa City, IA $708 – $1,005 617 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Minot, ND to Iowa

From North Dakota to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Minot, ND to Des Moines, IA $769 – $1,172 741 miles 1 – 6 days
Minot, ND to Cedar Rapids, IA $809 – $1,205 774 miles 2 – 7 days
Minot, ND to Davenport, IA $800 – $1,194 855 miles 2 – 7 days
Minot, ND to Sioux City, IA $668 – $977 559 miles 1 – 6 days
Minot, ND to Iowa City, IA $815 – $1,161 801 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from West Fargo, ND to Iowa

From North Dakota to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
West Fargo, ND to Des Moines, IA $648 – $907 483 miles 1 – 4 days
West Fargo, ND to Cedar Rapids, IA $644 – $904 515 miles 1 – 6 days
West Fargo, ND to Davenport, IA $685 – $987 597 miles 1 – 6 days
West Fargo, ND to Sioux City, IA $545 – $737 325 miles 1 – 4 days
West Fargo, ND to Iowa City, IA $691 – $973 542 miles 1 – 6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from North Dakota 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 Dakota to Iowa you should expect to pay between $978 and $1,436.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from ND to IA

When transporting your vehicle from the Peace Garden 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 Dakota to Iowa spans approximately 713 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 Dakota, 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 Dakota 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 Dakota to Iowa should take between one and six 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 Dakota

More than 39 million people call North Dakota home. Nicknamed the Peace Garden State, North Dakota has warm summers and cold winters. The temperature differences are significant because of its far inland position and being roughly equal distance from the North Pole and the Equator.

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 Dakota 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 Dakota and when dropping it off in Iowa.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from North Dakota 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 Dakota.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. North Dakota mandates that all vehicles carry minimum liability insurance coverage, which includes $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage. Additionally, drivers must have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Basic personal injury protection is also required, providing $150 per week with a maximum of $30,000.

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 Dakota to Iowa?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from North Dakota to Iowa is about 713 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from North Dakota to Iowa.

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

As a new resident in North Dakota, you have 90 days to have your vehicle inspected and registered in the state. There is no requirement for smog or emissions testing in North Dakota.

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

If I have a driver’s license in North Dakota, 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 Dakota, 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 Dakota 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 Dakota and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from North Dakota 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 Dakota to Iowa?

Shipping a car from North Dakota to Iowa costs $782 to $1,149.

Helpful North Dakota resources