Route guide · IA → FL
Shipping a car from Iowa to Florida
Shipping a running sedan from Des Moines to Miami costs about $1,025–$1,475 on an open carrier and $1,550–$2,225 in an enclosed trailer, with 4–6 days in transit. It ranks #250 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,250
- Road miles
- 1,570
- Days in transit
- 4–6
- People moving a year
- 3.0K
- Companies at both ends
- 225
City to city
What it costs between Iowa and Florida cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Sioux City and Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa — 1,090 to 1,740 road miles apart.
| From | Miami | Orlando | Jacksonville | Tampa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $1,025–$1,4751,570 mi · 4–6 days | $975–$1,4001,350 mi · 3–6 days | $925–$1,3251,210 mi · 3–5 days | $975–$1,3751,330 mi · 3–6 days |
| Cedar Rapids | $1,025–$1,4501,530 mi · 4–6 days | $975–$1,3751,300 mi · 3–5 days | $900–$1,3001,150 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3751,290 mi · 3–5 days |
| Davenport | $1,000–$1,4251,460 mi · 3–6 days | $950–$1,3501,240 mi · 3–5 days | $875–$1,2751,090 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3501,230 mi · 3–5 days |
| Sioux City | $1,075–$1,5501,740 mi · 4–7 days | $1,025–$1,4501,520 mi · 4–6 days | $975–$1,4001,380 mi · 3–6 days | $1,025–$1,4501,500 mi · 3–6 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 Miami, 1,570 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 | $1,025–$1,475 | $1,550–$2,225 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,150–$1,650 | $1,750–$2,475 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,300–$1,850 | $1,950–$2,775 |
| Pickup truck | $1,350–$1,925 | $2,025–$2,875 |
| Motorcycle | $625–$875 | $925–$1,325 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in December (snowbird season, when retirees ship cars south for the winter and the holidays), running about 20% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Iowa to Florida is February–May and September.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,250 Peak: about $1,500
About this route
Why so many cars go from Iowa to Florida
About 3,046 people moved from Iowa to Florida in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (4,367 in 2023, 1,724 in 2024). That is 4.2% of everyone who left Iowa for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 3,172 people a year move from Florida back to Iowa — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,250, shipping from Iowa to Florida is among the most expensive routes out of Iowa; Arizona ($1,175) and Texas ($950) cost less. That works out to about 80¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Your car spends 4–6 days on the road for the roughly 1,570 miles from Des Moines to Miami, after a pickup window of a few days while the carrier assembles a full load. The car heads southeast and crosses one time zone — from Central to Eastern time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- Winter storms in Iowa can slow pickups and deliveries in December through February — leave slack in your schedule.
- Hurricane season (June–November) occasionally delays Gulf and Atlantic coast deliveries; carriers will reschedule rather than drive into a storm.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Iowa and Florida, 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 Florida
218 companies based in Florida: 187 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,227 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Centurion Auto Transport Jacksonville · 239 trucks · since 1992 · USDOT 471614
- Vision Auto Transport Inc Miami · 95 trucks · since 2011 · USDOT 2257988
- Masney Auto Transport Inc Winter Garden · 89 trucks · since 1988 · USDOT 326786
- Cfy Auto Transport Corp Miami · 50 trucks · since 2016 · USDOT 2841696
- Auto Carrier Express Inc Jacksonville · 48 trucks · since 1998 · USDOT 766895
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Florida but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Iowa? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
FAQ
Iowa to Florida car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Florida's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Iowa to Florida?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,025–$1,475 from Des Moines to Miami (1,570 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $875–$1,550. An SUV costs about $1,150–$1,650, a pickup $1,350–$1,925, and an enclosed trailer $1,550–$2,225 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Florida?
Transit is usually 4–6 days after pickup for the 1,570-mile trip from Des Moines to Miami. The wait for pickup is separate: typically 1–5 days, or 1–2 days if you pay about 30% more for expedited service.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Iowa to Florida?
February–May and September is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 20% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in Florida after moving?
Florida requires new residents to register within 10 days of becoming a resident. Buy Florida insurance first — the 10 days count from the day you establish residency, such as starting a job or enrolling children in school.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Iowa to Florida?
Driving 1,570 miles takes about 4 days: roughly $200 in gas and 3 nights of hotels and meals (about $420). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,025–$1,475. Add wear on the car and 4 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Iowa to Florida?
Our directory lists 7 companies based in Iowa and 218 based in Florida, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.