New Jersey to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,110 miles from New Jersey to Iowa ranges from $914 to $1,474 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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  • 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 New Jersey car shipping guide.

The best New Jersey to Iowa car shipping companies

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

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,110 miles on your car going from New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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!

NJ 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 New Jersey and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 1,110 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Trenton, NJ to Iowa

From New Jersey to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Trenton, NJ to Des Moines, IA $864 – $1,330 1,097 miles 2 – 8 days
Trenton, NJ to Cedar Rapids, IA $790 – $1,317 1,009 miles 2 – 8 days
Trenton, NJ to Davenport, IA $838 – $1,313 929 miles 2 – 7 days
Trenton, NJ to Sioux City, IA $949 – $1,467 1,273 miles 3 – 8 days
Trenton, NJ to Iowa City, IA $785 – $1,282 985 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Newark, NJ to Iowa

From New Jersey to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Newark, NJ to Des Moines, IA $799 – $1,264 1,097 miles 2 – 8 days
Newark, NJ to Cedar Rapids, IA $848 – $1,330 1,010 miles 2 – 8 days
Newark, NJ to Davenport, IA $813 – $1,261 930 miles 2 – 7 days
Newark, NJ to Sioux City, IA $1,007 – $1,497 1,274 miles 3 – 8 days
Newark, NJ to Iowa City, IA $818 – $1,334 986 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Jersey City, NJ to Iowa

From New Jersey to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Jersey City, NJ to Des Moines, IA $905 – $1,460 1,105 miles 2 – 8 days
Jersey City, NJ to Cedar Rapids, IA $856 – $1,304 1,018 miles 2 – 8 days
Jersey City, NJ to Davenport, IA $830 – $1,300 938 miles 2 – 7 days
Jersey City, NJ to Sioux City, IA $958 – $1,511 1,282 miles 3 – 8 days
Jersey City, NJ to Iowa City, IA $860 – $1,295 994 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Paterson, NJ to Iowa

From New Jersey to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Paterson, NJ to Des Moines, IA $807 – $1,383 1,095 miles 2 – 8 days
Paterson, NJ to Cedar Rapids, IA $790 – $1,343 1,008 miles 2 – 8 days
Paterson, NJ to Davenport, IA $830 – $1,261 928 miles 2 – 7 days
Paterson, NJ to Sioux City, IA $978 – $1,482 1,272 miles 3 – 8 days
Paterson, NJ to Iowa City, IA $843 – $1,361 984 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Elizabeth, NJ to Iowa

From New Jersey to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Elizabeth, NJ to Des Moines, IA $888 – $1,474 1,107 miles 2 – 8 days
Elizabeth, NJ to Cedar Rapids, IA $815 – $1,304 1,019 miles 2 – 8 days
Elizabeth, NJ to Davenport, IA $813 – $1,338 939 miles 2 – 7 days
Elizabeth, NJ to Sioux City, IA $987 – $1,467 1,283 miles 3 – 8 days
Elizabeth, NJ to Iowa City, IA $868 – $1,282 995 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from New Jersey 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 New Jersey to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,143 and $1,843.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from NJ to IA

When transporting your vehicle from the 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 New Jersey to Iowa spans approximately 1,110 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 New Jersey, 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey

More than 39 million people call New Jersey home. Nicknamed the Garden State, New Jersey summers are typically hot and humid and winters are usually cold. During winter and early spring, New Jersey can experience "nor'easters", which are capable of causing blizzards or flooding throughout the northeastern United States.

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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey and when dropping it off in Iowa.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from New Jersey 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 New Jersey.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In New Jersey, meet the minimum auto insurance requirements: $15,000 per person for bodily injury up to $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage. Stay legally covered and financially secure on the road.

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 New Jersey to Iowa?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from New Jersey to Iowa is about 1,110 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from New Jersey to Iowa.

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

If you are planning to reside in New Jersey for a minimum of 6 months, it is mandatory to transfer the title of your vehicle, register it, and obtain a driver's license from the state. As a new resident, you have 60 days from the date of establishing your residency to register your vehicle. It is important to note that before registering your vehicle, you are required to have liability insurance coverage as per the New Jersey state laws.

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

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

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from New Jersey 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 New Jersey to Iowa?

Shipping a car from New Jersey to Iowa costs $914 to $1,474.

Helpful New Jersey resources