Michigan to Iowa Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 580 miles from Michigan to Iowa ranges from $868 to $1,176 and takes 1–6 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Iowa to Michigan car shipping guide.
Michigan to Iowa auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Michigan and Iowa. The average travel distance is about 580 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 6 days.
Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Iowa
| From Michigan to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Des Moines, IA | 599 miles | $851–$1,164 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Cedar Rapids, IA | 512 miles | $784–$1,122 | 1–6 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Davenport, IA | 431 miles | $718–$1,057 | 1–4 days |
| Lansing, MI to Norwalk, IA | 610 miles | $852–$1,297 | 1–6 days |
| Flint, MI to Boone, IA | 635 miles | $897–$1,319 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Iowa
| From Michigan to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Des Moines, IA | 493 miles | $828–$1,039 | 1–4 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Cedar Rapids, IA | 407 miles | $728–$1,028 | 1–4 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Davenport, IA | 327 miles | $650–$915 | 1–4 days |
| Lansing, MI to Norwalk, IA | 506 miles | $760–$1,056 | 1–6 days |
| Flint, MI to Boone, IA | 520 miles | $840–$1,078 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Iowa
| From Michigan to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Des Moines, IA | 557 miles | $813–$1,188 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Cedar Rapids, IA | 470 miles | $789–$1,072 | 1–4 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Davenport, IA | 390 miles | $719–$955 | 1–4 days |
| Lansing, MI to Norwalk, IA | 570 miles | $872–$1,118 | 1–6 days |
| Flint, MI to Boone, IA | 594 miles | $842–$1,164 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lansing, MI to Iowa
| From Michigan to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Des Moines, IA | 534 miles | $865–$1,082 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Cedar Rapids, IA | 447 miles | $786–$985 | 1–4 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Davenport, IA | 367 miles | $713–$975 | 1–4 days |
| Lansing, MI to Norwalk, IA | 547 miles | $840–$1,093 | 1–6 days |
| Flint, MI to Boone, IA | 571 miles | $821–$1,118 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Flint, MI to Iowa
| From Michigan to Iowa | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Des Moines, IA | 590 miles | $877–$1,273 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Cedar Rapids, IA | 501 miles | $760–$1,100 | 1–6 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Davenport, IA | 423 miles | $728–$987 | 1–4 days |
| Lansing, MI to Norwalk, IA | 601 miles | $852–$1,223 | 1–6 days |
| Flint, MI to Boone, IA | 625 miles | $942–$1,306 | 1–6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Iowa
Since vehicles like SUV, 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 Michigan to Iowa you should expect to pay between $1,085 and $1,470.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Michigan to Iowa
When transporting your vehicle from the Wolverine 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 Michigan to Iowa spans approximately 580 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan 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 Michigan to Iowa should take between 1 and 6 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Michigan to Iowa car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Michigan to Iowa:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Michigan to Iowa
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 580 miles on your car going from Michigan 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 hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Michigan 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Michigan to Iowa?
- 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 Michigan
Over 39 million people call Michigan home. Nicknamed the Wolverine State, Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
Transporting your vehicle to Iowa
About 22 million people are living in the Hawkeye State of Iowa. 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 picking up my car in Michigan and when dropping off my car in Iowa?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Michigan and when dropping it off in Iowa.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to Iowa?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Michigan 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 Michigan.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Michigan to Iowa?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to Iowa is about 580 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 1-6 days to travel from Michigan to Iowa.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
If I have a driver’s license in Michigan, 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan 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 Michigan and Iowa to avoid any hidden costs.
