Rhode Island to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,253 miles from Rhode Island to Iowa ranges from $997 to $1,556 and takes three–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 Rhode Island car shipping guide.
The best Rhode Island to Iowa car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Rhode Island to Iowa:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
- 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
Alternative ways to ship your car from Rhode Island to Iowa
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,253 miles on your car going from Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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!
RI 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 Rhode Island and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 1,253 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to eight days .
Cost to ship a car from Providence, RI to Iowa
| From Rhode Island to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RI to Des Moines, IA | $958 – $1,526 | 1,295 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Providence, RI to Cedar Rapids, IA | $920 – $1,422 | 1,207 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Providence, RI to Davenport, IA | $932 – $1,404 | 1,127 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Providence, RI to Sioux City, IA | $1,084 – $1,533 | 1,491 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Providence, RI to Iowa City, IA | $941 – $1,418 | 1,183 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Warwick, RI to Iowa
| From Rhode Island to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick, RI to Des Moines, IA | $929 – $1,541 | 1,279 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Warwick, RI to Cedar Rapids, IA | $896 – $1,347 | 1,191 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Warwick, RI to Davenport, IA | $879 – $1,404 | 1,111 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Warwick, RI to Sioux City, IA | $1,150 – $1,646 | 1,475 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Warwick, RI to Iowa City, IA | $932 – $1,333 | 1,167 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cranston, RI to Iowa
| From Rhode Island to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cranston, RI to Des Moines, IA | $949 – $1,497 | 1,283 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Cranston, RI to Cedar Rapids, IA | $896 – $1,361 | 1,195 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cranston, RI to Davenport, IA | $923 – $1,404 | 1,115 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cranston, RI to Sioux City, IA | $1,150 – $1,597 | 1,479 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Cranston, RI to Iowa City, IA | $879 – $1,460 | 1,171 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Pawtucket, RI to Iowa
| From Rhode Island to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawtucket, RI to Des Moines, IA | $997 – $1,437 | 1,297 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Pawtucket, RI to Cedar Rapids, IA | $1,016 – $1,422 | 1,209 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Pawtucket, RI to Davenport, IA | $870 – $1,347 | 1,129 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Pawtucket, RI to Sioux City, IA | $1,051 – $1,549 | 1,493 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Pawtucket, RI to Iowa City, IA | $941 – $1,446 | 1,185 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from East Providence, RI to Iowa
| From Rhode Island to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Providence, RI to Des Moines, IA | $1,007 – $1,526 | 1,286 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| East Providence, RI to Cedar Rapids, IA | $932 – $1,390 | 1,199 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| East Providence, RI to Davenport, IA | $896 – $1,418 | 1,118 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| East Providence, RI to Sioux City, IA | $1,139 – $1,581 | 1,483 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| East Providence, RI to Iowa City, IA | $888 – $1,446 | 1,174 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,246 and $1,945.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from RI to IA
When transporting your vehicle from the Ocean 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 Rhode Island to Iowa spans approximately 1,253 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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island to Iowa should take between three 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 Rhode Island
More than 39 million people call Rhode Island home. Nicknamed the Ocean State, Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.
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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Rhode Island to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
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 Rhode Island to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Rhode Island to Iowa is about 1,253 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Rhode Island to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Rhode Island to Iowa?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island to Iowa?
Shipping a car from Rhode Island to Iowa costs $997 to $1,556.
