Founded in 1984, locally owned and operated Texas Auto Carriers provides transport, towing, and hauling services for consumer and commercial clients. Our…
Route guide · IA → TX
Car shipping from Iowa to Texas
Car transport from Iowa to Texas runs 740 road miles between the biggest metros. Shipping a running sedan from Des Moines to Dallas costs about $750–$1,150 on an open carrier and $1,125–$1,725 in an enclosed trailer, with 2–4 days in transit. It ranks #211 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $950
- Road miles
- 740
- Days in transit
- 2–4
- People moving a year
- 4.9K
- Companies at both ends
- 124
City to city
Cost to ship a car from Iowa to Texas, city to city
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Sioux City and Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin — 740 to 1,120 road miles apart.
| From | Dallas | Houston | San Antonio | Austin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $750–$1,150740 mi · 2–4 days | $850–$1,250970 mi · 2–4 days | $875–$1,2751,040 mi · 3–5 days | $825–$1,225960 mi · 2–4 days |
| Cedar Rapids | $775–$1,175820 mi · 2–4 days | $850–$1,2501,020 mi · 3–5 days | $900–$1,3001,110 mi · 3–5 days | $850–$1,2501,030 mi · 3–5 days |
| Davenport | $775–$1,175820 mi · 2–4 days | $850–$1,2501,010 mi · 3–5 days | $900–$1,3001,120 mi · 3–5 days | $850–$1,2501,030 mi · 3–5 days |
| Sioux City | $775–$1,175790 mi · 2–4 days | $875–$1,2751,040 mi · 3–5 days | $875–$1,2751,070 mi · 3–5 days | $850–$1,2501,000 mi · 2–5 days |
Estimate, not a quote
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 Dallas, 740 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 | $750–$1,150 | $1,125–$1,725 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $825–$1,275 | $1,250–$1,925 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $925–$1,425 | $1,400–$2,150 |
| Pickup truck | $975–$1,475 | $1,450–$2,225 |
| Motorcycle | $450–$675 | $675–$1,025 |
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 Texas is February–May and September.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $950 Peak: about $1,125
About this route
Why so many cars go from Iowa to Texas
About 4,948 people moved from Iowa to Texas in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (6,140 in 2023, 3,755 in 2024). That is 6.8% of everyone who left Iowa for another state, making Texas its #5 destination.
Traffic runs both ways — about 4,748 people a year move from Texas back to Iowa — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $950, shipping from Iowa to Texas is one of the cheaper long moves out of Iowa — Arizona ($1,175) and Florida ($1,250) cost more. That works out to about $1.28 a mile.
Distance and transit time
The 740-mile run from Des Moines to Dallas takes 2–4 days on a carrier — short enough that driving yourself is a real option. The car heads south-southwest and stays on Central time the whole way.
On the road
- Winter storms in Iowa can slow pickups and deliveries in December through February — leave slack in your schedule.
Companies
Car transport companies from Iowa to Texas
Companies headquartered at either end of the route usually run this lane often. Filter by services, company type and safety record — every listing is matched to its FMCSA record.
- Pickup end Iowa 6 companies · 6 carriers · 0 brokers · 16 trucks · 7 yrs avg.
- Delivery end Texas 118 companies · 89 carriers · 33 brokers · 1,247 trucks · 10 yrs avg.
At Thrifty Auto Shipping, we understand the importance of finding a reliable auto transport company that will handle your vehicle with the utmost care. Our…
Established in 2011, Acme Car Shipping has grown into a trusted partner in vehicle transportation. As the best car shipping company for moving and relocation…
AG Car Shipping stands out by demanding full cargo insurance coverage from every active carrier, eliminating hidden broker fees, and providing 24/7 dedicated…
Dedicated to providing quality and hassle-free experiences to all its clients, Autoplex has been surpassing the expectations of many. Started as a small…
Why choose Bold Auto Transport comes down to one thing most car shipping companies cannot offer: a licensed, federally authorized broker that coordinates your…
Compass Transport offers auto shipping services at reasonable pricing while never sacrificing your needs as a customer. While you may find companies that…
At Crestline Auto Transport, we’ve been moving vehicles across the country for decades. Whether you need to ship a car across the state or from coast to…
FAST AUTOSHIP LLC, based in Austin, Texas, is dedicated to providing exceptional auto shipping services throughout the entire country. While we have a single…
Founded in 2021 by two brothers with extensive experience in leading auto transport companies, Flix Auto Transport was built on a shared passion for…
Freedom Auto Transport is the leader in auto transport and car shipping. The reason we can say this is we have the most conscientious, courteous, and…
From barn finds to pick of the lot, we’re here to deliver your prized possession. We back our first class automotive transport with expert logistics for a…
At NEST Auto Transport, we are dedicated to providing reliable, efficient, and hassle-free vehicle shipping services across the nation. With years of industry…
New World Auto Transport is a family owned and operated business, which values excellence. With over 50 years of experience in all aspects of the automotive…
At NexGen Auto Transport, our mission is to provide unparalleled auto transport solutions that consistently exceed customer expectations. We aim to deliver…
North Texas Auto Transport, USDOT 3519417, is your trusted partner for seamless door-to-door auto transport across the 48 contiguous United States. We set the…
We understand your vehicle is important, and we are committed to arranging its transport with professionalism and care. We provide trusted coordination…
Ship a Car Direct, the industry leader in stress-free and reliable car shipping services. Established in 2008 as 'Honesty First Auto Transport,' we…
Ship That Car is a US-based auto transport company built on a simple idea — treat every shipment like it's our own car on that truck. Real dispatchers…
At Star Auto Shipping, we are dedicated to making vehicle transport simple, secure, and stress-free. With years of experience in the auto transport industry…
U
Usal
FMCSA verifiedHouston-based auto transport group: a national brokerage (USAL Solutions) and a regional interstate carrier (US AutoLogistics).
CT
Car Transport Inc
FMCSA verifiedCommercial auto hauler from Burleson, Texas with locations across the U.S., in business since 1983.
JK
Jack Key Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedDallas interstate car carrier serving manufacturers, dealers, lease operations, auctions, rental companies and individuals.
TA
Tom’s Auto Transport Inc
FMCSA verifiedEA
Elite Auto Logistics Inc
FMCSA verifiedFamily-run Houston car carrier incorporated in 2013, shipping vehicles state to state and cross-country.
ST
Showtime Trucking LLC
FMCSA verifiedFamily-owned Dallas–Fort Worth auto transport company moving vehicles for individuals, dealers and manufacturers.
AS
Auto Shippers USA
FMCSA verifiedGarland, Texas auto transport company shipping vehicles nationwide for individuals, dealers and government personnel.
BL
Budd Logistics
FMCSA verifiedDes Moines car hauler moving one to 20 vehicles at a time for dealers, auctions and remarketers.
LA
LK Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedHouston-area carrier running a 7-car open hauler for dealers, auctions and private parties between Texas and Illinois.
MC
Motorcar Carriers
FMCSA verifiedSan Antonio enclosed-only carrier for luxury, exotic, classic and collector cars, with white-glove service.
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Try fewer filters, or include companies from other states that serve this route.
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Texas but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Iowa? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Iowa to states near Texas
To Texas from states near Iowa
FAQ
Iowa to Texas car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Texas's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Iowa to Texas?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $750–$1,150 from Des Moines to Dallas (740 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $750–$1,300. An SUV costs about $825–$1,275, a pickup $975–$1,475, and an enclosed trailer $1,125–$1,725 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Texas?
Transit is usually 2–4 days after pickup for the 740-mile trip from Des Moines to Dallas. 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 Texas?
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 Texas after moving?
Texas requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. Get Texas insurance first. Cars in 17 emissions counties — including Harris (Houston), Dallas, Tarrant (Fort Worth) and Travis (Austin) — need an emissions test; then register at the county tax assessor-collector.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Iowa to Texas?
Driving 740 miles takes about 2 days: roughly $90 in gas and 1 night of hotels and meals (about $140). Shipping a sedan costs about $750–$1,150. Over this distance driving usually costs less, if you can spare the day.
Which car shipping companies go from Iowa to Texas?
Our directory lists 6 companies based in Iowa and 118 based in Texas, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 190 that ship nationwide.