Vermont to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,243 miles from Vermont to Iowa ranges from $1,016 to $1,482 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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  • 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 Vermont car shipping guide.

The best Vermont to Iowa car shipping companies

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

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,243 miles on your car going from Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont 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!

VT 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 Vermont and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 1,243 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Burlington, VT to Iowa

From Vermont to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Burlington, VT to Des Moines, IA $1,007 – $1,422 1,217 miles 2 – 8 days
Burlington, VT to Cedar Rapids, IA $932 – $1,347 1,130 miles 2 – 8 days
Burlington, VT to Davenport, IA $799 – $1,304 1,049 miles 2 – 8 days
Burlington, VT to Sioux City, IA $1,040 – $1,597 1,413 miles 3 – 8 days
Burlington, VT to Iowa City, IA $914 – $1,404 1,105 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Essex, VT to Iowa

From Vermont to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Essex, VT to Des Moines, IA $958 – $1,467 1,225 miles 2 – 8 days
Essex, VT to Cedar Rapids, IA $888 – $1,390 1,137 miles 2 – 8 days
Essex, VT to Davenport, IA $840 – $1,251 1,057 miles 2 – 8 days
Essex, VT to Sioux City, IA $1,040 – $1,565 1,421 miles 3 – 8 days
Essex, VT to Iowa City, IA $888 – $1,460 1,113 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from South Burlington, VT to Iowa

From Vermont to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
South Burlington, VT to Des Moines, IA $978 – $1,437 1,219 miles 2 – 8 days
South Burlington, VT to Cedar Rapids, IA $932 – $1,390 1,131 miles 2 – 8 days
South Burlington, VT to Davenport, IA $815 – $1,330 1,051 miles 2 – 8 days
South Burlington, VT to Sioux City, IA $1,139 – $1,533 1,415 miles 3 – 8 days
South Burlington, VT to Iowa City, IA $896 – $1,333 1,107 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Colchester, VT to Iowa

From Vermont to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Colchester, VT to Des Moines, IA $939 – $1,482 1,225 miles 2 – 8 days
Colchester, VT to Cedar Rapids, IA $879 – $1,333 1,136 miles 2 – 8 days
Colchester, VT to Davenport, IA $807 – $1,330 1,057 miles 2 – 8 days
Colchester, VT to Sioux City, IA $1,128 – $1,678 1,420 miles 3 – 8 days
Colchester, VT to Iowa City, IA $923 – $1,474 1,113 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Rutland, VT to Iowa

From Vermont to Iowa Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Rutland, VT to Des Moines, IA $987 – $1,422 1,203 miles 2 – 8 days
Rutland, VT to Cedar Rapids, IA $941 – $1,375 1,115 miles 2 – 8 days
Rutland, VT to Davenport, IA $823 – $1,291 1,035 miles 2 – 8 days
Rutland, VT to Sioux City, IA $1,017 – $1,583 1,399 miles 3 – 8 days
Rutland, VT to Iowa City, IA $848 – $1,317 1,091 miles 2 – 8 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Vermont 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 Vermont to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,270 and $1,853.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from VT to IA

When transporting your vehicle from the Green Mountain 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 Vermont to Iowa spans approximately 1,243 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 Vermont, 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 Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont

More than 39 million people call Vermont home. Nicknamed the Green Mountain State, Vermont has warm to hot summer and cold winters, with muddy springs, in general, a mild early summer, hot Augusts; it has colorful autumns. If you are moving in the winter be prepared for heavy snowfall.

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 Vermont 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 Vermont and when dropping it off in Iowa.

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

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

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Vermont must possess liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for individual injuries or fatalities, $50,000 for injuries or fatalities involving two or more persons, and $10,000 for property damage in a single accident. Adhering to these essential insurance requirements ensures legal compliance and optimal protection 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 Vermont to Iowa?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Vermont to Iowa is about 1,243 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Vermont to Iowa.

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

Vehicle safety and emission inspections are required annually in Vermont, as well as a one-time VIN inspection for any out-of-state vehicle being registered for the first time.

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

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Vermont to Iowa costs $1,016 to $1,482.

Helpful Vermont resources