Virginia to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,017 miles from Virginia to Iowa ranges from $823 to $1,370 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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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to Virginia car shipping guide.
The best Virginia to Iowa car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Virginia 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 Virginia to Iowa
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,017 miles on your car going from Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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!
VA 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 Virginia and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 1,017 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .
Cost to ship a car from Virginia Beach, VA to Iowa
| From Virginia to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Des Moines, IA | $920 – $1,437 | 1,209 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Cedar Rapids, IA | $896 – $1,460 | 1,122 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Davenport, IA | $831 – $1,357 | 1,042 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Sioux City, IA | $1,038 – $1,536 | 1,385 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Virginia Beach, VA to Iowa City, IA | $856 – $1,304 | 1,097 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chesapeake, VA to Iowa
| From Virginia to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake, VA to Des Moines, IA | $978 – $1,482 | 1,207 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Cedar Rapids, IA | $852 – $1,460 | 1,120 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Davenport, IA | $815 – $1,383 | 1,040 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Sioux City, IA | $1,058 – $1,614 | 1,384 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Iowa City, IA | $840 – $1,278 | 1,095 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Arlington, VA to Iowa
| From Virginia to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington, VA to Des Moines, IA | $799 – $1,304 | 1,017 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Cedar Rapids, IA | $813 – $1,248 | 930 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Arlington, VA to Davenport, IA | $838 – $1,168 | 849 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Arlington, VA to Sioux City, IA | $941 – $1,390 | 1,194 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Arlington, VA to Iowa City, IA | $821 – $1,249 | 905 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norfolk, VA to Iowa
| From Virginia to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk, VA to Des Moines, IA | $923 – $1,418 | 1,196 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Cedar Rapids, IA | $941 – $1,404 | 1,109 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Davenport, IA | $782 – $1,278 | 1,028 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Sioux City, IA | $1,079 – $1,474 | 1,372 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Iowa City, IA | $815 – $1,370 | 1,084 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Richmond, VA to Iowa
| From Virginia to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA to Des Moines, IA | $932 – $1,361 | 1,104 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Cedar Rapids, IA | $782 – $1,370 | 1,016 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Davenport, IA | $788 – $1,313 | 936 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Richmond, VA to Sioux City, IA | $968 – $1,437 | 1,279 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Richmond, VA to Iowa City, IA | $868 – $1,361 | 992 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia 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 Virginia to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,029 and $1,713.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from VA to IA
When transporting your vehicle from the Old Dominion 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 Virginia to Iowa spans approximately 1,017 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia
More than 39 million people call Virginia home. Nicknamed the Old Dominion State, Virginia has humid hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have a strong effect on eastern and southeastern coastal areas of the Commonwealth, making the climate there warmer and more constant.
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 Virginia 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 Virginia and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Virginia to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Virginia 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 Virginia.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. It's crucial for drivers to have liability insurance, meeting the state's minimum coverage requirements: $25,000 for individual injury or death, $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, and $20,000 for property damage. Elevate your road safety with mandatory uninsured motorist coverage, ensuring protection with matching limits. Stay road-ready by fulfilling these insurance obligations in Virginia.
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 Virginia to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Virginia to Iowa is about 1,017 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Virginia to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
All vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspections at DMV-approved stations. Vehicles that fail can be re-inspected for free within 60 days. Upon passing, a sticker is issued to indicate the vehicle's compliance.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in Virginia, 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia 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 Virginia and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Virginia to Iowa?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Virginia 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 Virginia to Iowa?
Shipping a car from Virginia to Iowa costs $823 to $1,370.
