Route guide · TX → IA
Shipping a car from Texas to Iowa
Shipping a running sedan from Dallas to Des Moines 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 #220 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
- 4.7K
- Companies at both ends
- 152
City to city
What it costs between Texas and Iowa cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin and Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Sioux City — 740 to 1,120 road miles apart.
| From | Des Moines | Cedar Rapids | Davenport | Sioux City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $750–$1,150740 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175820 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175820 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175790 mi · 2–4 days |
| Houston | $850–$1,250970 mi · 2–4 days | $850–$1,2501,020 mi · 3–5 days | $850–$1,2501,010 mi · 3–5 days | $875–$1,2751,040 mi · 3–5 days |
| San Antonio | $875–$1,2751,040 mi · 3–5 days | $900–$1,3001,110 mi · 3–5 days | $900–$1,3001,120 mi · 3–5 days | $875–$1,2751,070 mi · 3–5 days |
| Austin | $825–$1,225960 mi · 2–4 days | $850–$1,2501,030 mi · 3–5 days | $850–$1,2501,030 mi · 3–5 days | $850–$1,2501,000 mi · 2–5 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
Dallas to Des Moines, 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 March–May (snowbird season, when retirees ship cars back north for the summer), running about 15% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Texas to Iowa is January–February and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $950 Peak: about $1,075
About this route
Why so many cars go from Texas to Iowa
About 4,748 people moved from Texas to Iowa in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (3,634 in 2023, 5,861 in 2024). That is 1% of everyone who left Texas for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 4,948 people a year move from Iowa back to Texas — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $950, shipping from Texas to Iowa costs more than sending a car to Tennessee ($925) and Alabama ($925) but less than to Georgia ($975) and Indiana ($1,000). That works out to about $1.28 a mile.
Distance and transit time
Dallas to Des Moines is about 740 road miles — 2–4 days on the truck. On a run this short, many people weigh shipping against driving it themselves. The car heads north-northeast 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 carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Texas and Iowa, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Texas
145 companies based in Texas: 102 carriers, 24 brokers, 1,183 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Usal Houston · 382 trucks · since 1989 · USDOT 357779
- Car Transport Inc Burleson · 309 trucks · since 1984 · USDOT 248283
- Transcar Express LLC Brownsville · 89 trucks · since 2010 · USDOT 2066413
- Texas Auto Carriers San Antonio · 31 trucks · since 1984 · USDOT 521201
- Transporting Cars Champion Inc Arlington · 26 trucks · since 2012 · USDOT 2287307
Delivery 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
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Iowa but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Texas? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
FAQ
Texas to Iowa car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Iowa's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Texas to Iowa?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $750–$1,150 from Dallas to Des Moines (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 Texas to Iowa?
Transit is usually 2–4 days after pickup for the 740-mile trip from Dallas to Des Moines. 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 Texas to Iowa?
January–February and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in March–May, up to about 15% 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 Iowa after moving?
Iowa requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. Title and register at your county treasurer's office, even if your old plates are still valid.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Texas to Iowa?
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 Texas to Iowa?
Our directory lists 145 companies based in Texas and 7 based in Iowa, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.