Nebraska to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 398 miles from Nebraska to Iowa ranges from $575 to $827 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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  • Price lock promise
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  • Established in 2007
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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

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

The best Nebraska to Iowa car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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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
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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
At A Glance
  • 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 quick pickup
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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
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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for discounts
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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
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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
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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Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from Nebraska to Iowa

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 398 miles on your car going from Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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!

NE 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 Nebraska and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 398 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

Cost to ship a car from Omaha, NE to Iowa

From Nebraska to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Omaha, NE to Des Moines, IA $364 – $527 134 miles 1 – 4 days
Omaha, NE to Cedar Rapids, IA $439 – $624 262 miles 1 – 4 days
Omaha, NE to Davenport, IA $509 – $729 303 miles 1 – 4 days
Omaha, NE to Sioux City, IA $311 – $473 96 miles 1 – 4 days
Omaha, NE to Iowa City, IA $434 – $637 248 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Lincoln, NE to Iowa

From Nebraska to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Lincoln, NE to Des Moines, IA $414 – $588 189 miles 1 – 4 days
Lincoln, NE to Cedar Rapids, IA $488 – $666 316 miles 1 – 4 days
Lincoln, NE to Davenport, IA $542 – $734 357 miles 1 – 4 days
Lincoln, NE to Sioux City, IA $378 – $539 152 miles 1 – 4 days
Lincoln, NE to Iowa City, IA $524 – $736 303 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Bellevue, NE to Iowa

From Nebraska to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Bellevue, NE to Des Moines, IA $357 – $532 139 miles 1 – 4 days
Bellevue, NE to Cedar Rapids, IA $430 – $593 266 miles 1 – 4 days
Bellevue, NE to Davenport, IA $493 – $729 307 miles 1 – 4 days
Bellevue, NE to Sioux City, IA $323 – $479 105 miles 1 – 4 days
Bellevue, NE to Iowa City, IA $430 – $624 253 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Grand Island, NE to Iowa

From Nebraska to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Grand Island, NE to Des Moines, IA $499 – $641 278 miles 1 – 4 days
Grand Island, NE to Cedar Rapids, IA $576 – $838 406 miles 1 – 4 days
Grand Island, NE to Davenport, IA $623 – $837 447 miles 1 – 4 days
Grand Island, NE to Sioux City, IA $439 – $588 186 miles 1 – 4 days
Grand Island, NE to Iowa City, IA $569 – $795 393 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Kearney, NE to Iowa

From Nebraska to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Kearney, NE to Des Moines, IA $534 – $701 316 miles 1 – 4 days
Kearney, NE to Cedar Rapids, IA $623 – $845 443 miles 1 – 4 days
Kearney, NE to Davenport, IA $617 – $874 484 miles 1 – 4 days
Kearney, NE to Sioux City, IA $504 – $641 278 miles 1 – 4 days
Kearney, NE to Iowa City, IA $617 – $811 430 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Nebraska 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 Nebraska to Iowa you should expect to pay between $719 and $1,034.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from NE to IA

When transporting your vehicle from the Cornhusker 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 Nebraska to Iowa spans approximately 398 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 Nebraska, 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska

More than 39 million people call Nebraska home. Nicknamed the Cornhusker State, Nebraska experiences wide seasonal variations in both temperature and precipitation. Nebraska has hot summers and generally cold winters. Nebraska is located in Tornado Alley. Thunderstorms are common during both the spring and the summer.

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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska and when dropping it off in Iowa.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Nebraska 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 Nebraska.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Nebraska's car insurance mandates include bodily injury liability coverage at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, property damage liability coverage at $25,000, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, ensuring drivers meet the state's minimum requirements for financial protection in the event of accidents.

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 Nebraska to Iowa?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Nebraska to Iowa is about 398 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Nebraska to Iowa.

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

Emission tests are not required in Nebraska. However, the state requires VIN inspection.

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

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Nebraska to Iowa costs $575 to $827.

Helpful Nebraska resources