Wisconsin to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 321 miles from Wisconsin to Iowa ranges from $498 to $666 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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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to Wisconsin car shipping guide.
The best Wisconsin to Iowa car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin to Iowa
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 321 miles on your car going from Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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!
WI 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 Wisconsin and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 321 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .
Cost to ship a car from Milwaukee, WI to Iowa
| From Wisconsin to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI to Des Moines, IA | $565 – $734 | 373 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Milwaukee, WI to Cedar Rapids, IA | $466 – $625 | 244 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Milwaukee, WI to Davenport, IA | $466 – $605 | 215 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Milwaukee, WI to Sioux City, IA | $618 – $857 | 472 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Milwaukee, WI to Iowa City, IA | $435 – $648 | 262 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Madison, WI to Iowa
| From Wisconsin to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI to Des Moines, IA | $465 – $628 | 288 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Madison, WI to Cedar Rapids, IA | $385 – $508 | 165 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Madison, WI to Davenport, IA | $404 – $535 | 163 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Madison, WI to Sioux City, IA | $575 – $779 | 392 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Madison, WI to Iowa City, IA | $414 – $532 | 176 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Green Bay, WI to Iowa
| From Wisconsin to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay, WI to Des Moines, IA | $592 – $837 | 429 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Green Bay, WI to Cedar Rapids, IA | $498 – $673 | 306 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Green Bay, WI to Davenport, IA | $509 – $736 | 304 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Green Bay, WI to Sioux City, IA | $679 – $891 | 533 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Green Bay, WI to Iowa City, IA | $503 – $666 | 317 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Kenosha, WI to Iowa
| From Wisconsin to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha, WI to Des Moines, IA | $610 – $827 | 378 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Kenosha, WI to Cedar Rapids, IA | $470 – $681 | 291 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Kenosha, WI to Davenport, IA | $481 – $586 | 220 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Kenosha, WI to Sioux City, IA | $644 – $857 | 463 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Kenosha, WI to Iowa City, IA | $457 – $648 | 267 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Racine, WI to Iowa
| From Wisconsin to Iowa | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racine, WI to Des Moines, IA | $548 – $788 | 371 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Racine, WI to Cedar Rapids, IA | $439 – $648 | 270 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Racine, WI to Davenport, IA | $470 – $617 | 213 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Racine, WI to Sioux City, IA | $636 – $909 | 497 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Racine, WI to Iowa City, IA | $439 – $617 | 259 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin to Iowa you should expect to pay between $623 and $833.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from WI to IA
When transporting your vehicle from the Badger 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 Wisconsin to Iowa spans approximately 321 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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
More than 39 million people call Wisconsin home. Nicknamed the Badger State, Wisconsin has warm-summers humid continental climate while the southern and southwestern portions are classified as hot-summer humid continental climate. Wisconsin also receives a large amount of regular snowfall averaging around 40 inches. Be sure to check your local weather station if you are planning your move for 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Wisconsin to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Wisconsin requires auto insurance policies to provide a minimum coverage of $10,000 for property damage, $25,000 for individual injury or death, and $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals.
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 Wisconsin to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Wisconsin to Iowa is about 321 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Wisconsin to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Safety and emission inspections are not required in Wisconsin. However, you must take your vehicle for emissions inspection available at select privately owned businesses including vehicle repair facilities, service stations, and car dealerships.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Wisconsin to Iowa?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin to Iowa?
Shipping a car from Wisconsin to Iowa costs $498 to $666.
