Route guide · IA → AZ
Shipping a car from Iowa to Arizona
Shipping a running sedan from Des Moines to Phoenix costs about $975–$1,400 on an open carrier and $1,475–$2,100 in an enclosed trailer, with 3–6 days in transit. It ranks #131 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,200
- Road miles
- 1,360
- Days in transit
- 3–6
- People moving a year
- 5.7K
- Companies at both ends
- 48
City to city
What it costs between Iowa and Arizona cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Sioux City and Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma and Flagstaff — 1,130 to 1,710 road miles apart.
| From | Phoenix | Tucson | Yuma | Flagstaff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $975–$1,4001,360 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,4001,360 mi · 3–6 days | $1,025–$1,4751,540 mi · 4–6 days | $950–$1,3501,260 mi · 3–5 days |
| Cedar Rapids | $1,000–$1,4501,480 mi · 3–6 days | $1,000–$1,4501,480 mi · 3–6 days | $1,050–$1,5251,660 mi · 4–7 days | $975–$1,4001,380 mi · 3–6 days |
| Davenport | $1,025–$1,4501,530 mi · 4–6 days | $1,025–$1,4501,520 mi · 4–6 days | $1,075–$1,5251,710 mi · 4–7 days | $1,000–$1,4251,440 mi · 3–6 days |
| Sioux City | $950–$1,3501,240 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3501,260 mi · 3–5 days | $1,000–$1,4251,420 mi · 3–6 days | $900–$1,3001,130 mi · 3–5 days |
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Des Moines to Phoenix, 1,360 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $975–$1,400 | $1,475–$2,100 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,100–$1,550 | $1,650–$2,350 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,225–$1,750 | $1,825–$2,625 |
| Pickup truck | $1,275–$1,800 | $1,900–$2,725 |
| Motorcycle | $600–$825 | $875–$1,250 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Iowa to Arizona is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,175 Peak: about $1,275
About this route
Why so many cars go from Iowa to Arizona
About 5,701 people moved from Iowa to Arizona in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (6,805 in 2023, 4,596 in 2024). That is 7.9% of everyone who left Iowa for another state, making Arizona its #4 destination.
Traffic is lopsided: only about 2,632 people a year go the other way, Arizona to Iowa. Trucks heading into Arizona fill up quickly, so pickups are usually fast — but carriers have less reason to discount in peak months.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,175, shipping from Iowa to Arizona costs more than sending a car to Texas ($950) but less than to Florida ($1,250). That works out to about 86¢ a mile.
Distance and transit time
Expect about 1,360 road miles from Des Moines to Phoenix — 3–6 days on the truck after pickup. Carriers usually load several cars before heading out, so the pickup window matters as much as transit time. The car heads west-southwest and crosses one time zone — from Central to Mountain time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- The route crosses mountain passes in the West; from November to March, snow and chain laws can hold trucks for a day or two.
- Winter storms in Iowa can slow pickups and deliveries in December through February — leave slack in your schedule.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Iowa and Arizona, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Iowa
7 companies based in Iowa: 7 carriers, 0 brokers, 20 trucks in total, 5 years in business on average.
- Magnum Auto & Transportation Inc Quasqueton · 6 trucks · since 2020 · USDOT 3514106
- Double A Auto Delivery Johnston · 4 trucks · since 2011 · USDOT 2133293
- B&E Transport LLC Davenport · 2 trucks · since 2019 · USDOT 3263857
- DDM Auto Transport LLC Montezuma · 2 trucks · since 2022 · USDOT 3856054
- L&G Transportation Whittemore · 2 trucks · since 2025 · USDOT 4385182
Delivery end Arizona
41 companies based in Arizona: 30 carriers, 5 brokers, 154 trucks in total, 13 years in business on average.
- Motor Car Auto Carriers Inc Glendal · 45 trucks · since 2000 · USDOT 915692
- Auto-Matic Auto Carriers LLC Tucson · 23 trucks · since 2009 · USDOT 1965940
- J&S Transportation Tucson · 14 trucks · since 2000 · USDOT 911585
- Zemo Auto Transport LLC Peoria · 6 trucks · since 2015 · USDOT 2781497
- J & J Auto Transport LLC Litchfield Park · 5 trucks · since 2019 · USDOT 3244816
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Arizona but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Iowa? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Iowa to states near Arizona
To Arizona from states near Iowa
FAQ
Iowa to Arizona car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Arizona's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Iowa to Arizona?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $975–$1,400 from Des Moines to Phoenix (1,360 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $900–$1,525. An SUV costs about $1,100–$1,550, a pickup $1,275–$1,800, and an enclosed trailer $1,475–$2,100 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Arizona?
Transit is usually 3–6 days after pickup for the 1,360-mile trip from Des Moines to Phoenix. Getting the car picked up takes another 1–5 days on a standard booking; expedited pickup within 1–2 days costs about 30% more.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Iowa to Arizona?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. Whatever the month, a flexible pickup date booked 2–3 weeks out gets the best price.
How soon do I have to register my car in Arizona after moving?
Arizona requires new residents to register right away — there is no grace period. Arizona expects registration as soon as you become a resident. Cars kept in the Phoenix or Tucson areas may need an emissions test first.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Iowa to Arizona?
Driving 1,360 miles takes about 3 days: roughly $170 in gas and 2 nights of hotels and meals (about $280). Shipping a sedan costs about $975–$1,400. Add wear on the car and 3 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Iowa to Arizona?
Our directory lists 7 companies based in Iowa and 41 based in Arizona, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.