Illinois to Iowa Car Shipping Made Easy and Affordable

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Considerations

  • Illinois to Iowa car shipping averages $350–$600, with compact vehicles and open carriers offering the lowest per-mile rates.
  • Door-to-door delivery takes 1–3 days for most routes, with same-day pickup possible in major metro areas.
  • All carriers must be FMCSA-compliant with active insurance, DOT registration, and pre-transport inspection protocols in place.
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Illinois to Iowa Car Shipping Made Easy and Affordable

Moving a vehicle from Illinois to Iowa? Whether you're relocating, buying a car out of state, or sending a vehicle to family, understanding your shipping options can make the process smoother. It is a short-haul route, making it faster and more affordable than long-distance transport. Here's what to expect in terms of cost, timing, and transport methods when moving a car between these two Midwestern states.

Cost of Shipping a Car from Illinois to Iowa

Shipping a car from Illinois to Iowa is a short, straightforward route within the Midwest. On average, the driving distance is about 260 miles, though it may vary slightly based on pickup and drop-off locations. Because of the short haul, costs are generally lower than long-distance routes.

To get an accurate price, request a custom quote. The cost will depend on the vehicle type, transport method, and timing. A-1 Auto Transport offers free quotes to help you plan your move.

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Pricing & Time Examples To Ship Your Vehicle

To / From Illinois to IowaDistanceCostEstimated Time In Transit
Chicago, IL To Des Moines, IA333 miles$600.12 - $733.482 - 4 Days
Aurora, IL To Cedar Rapids, IA210 miles$378.72 - $462.881 - 3 Days
Naperville, IL To Davenport, IA151 miles$271.44 - $331.761 - 3 Days
Rockford, IL To Sioux City, IA393 miles$707.94 - $865.263 - 5 Days
Joliet, IL To Iowa City, IA196 miles$353.52 - $432.081 - 3 Days
Springfield, IL To Waterloo, IA306 miles$550.44 - $672.762 - 4 Days
Peoria, IL To West Des Moines, IA276 miles$497.16 - $607.641 - 3 Days
Elgin, IL To Ames, IA320 miles$576.18 - $704.222 - 4 Days
Champaign, IL To Ankeny, IA355 miles$638.10 - $779.902 - 4 Days
Waukegan, IL To Council Bluffs, IA485 miles$873.00 - $1,067.004 - 6 Days

*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and what type of vehicle you are shipping.

What Affects Delivery Time?

Even though Illinois and Iowa are neighboring states, transit times can be influenced by weather, traffic, and exact routing. In most cases, delivery takes about one day. Severe weather or high-traffic zones can cause slight delays, but short-haul routes like this are typically quick and efficient.

a truck going to the delivery point

Auto Transport Hubs

Popular pickup cities in Illinois:

  • Chicago
  • Aurora
  • Rockford
  • Peoria
  • Crystal Lake

Common delivery hubs in Iowa:

Des Moines

Cedar Rapids

Iowa City

Dubuque

Ames

transportation of vehicles in transit

How Long Does This Process Takes?

The distance by road between Illinois and Iowa is 260 miles. This distance might vary slightly depending on the city where the shipment will originate from.

Delivery times are affected by the state of traffic at the time of shipping as well as the weather conditions. Extreme weather can delay shipping and increase the delivery times. Even if other factors are ignored, it should only take a day for a car to be shipped from Illinois to Iowa.

Affordable Shipping Options

If you're looking for a budget-friendly solution, open carrier transport is the most economical option. It involves hauling your car on an open trailer alongside other vehicles. While this method is safe and widely used, your car will be exposed to the elements during transit

truck transport vehicle

Other Vehicles We Relocate

In addition to standard cars, we also transport:

  • Motorcycles
  • Trucks
  • Boats

Whether you're relocating a daily vehicle or sending recreational equipment, we offer tailored transport solutions between Illinois and Iowa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dave loved the fast deliveryDave C.
★★★★★
Dave loved the fast delivery
My relocation to Chicago was fast, smooth and without any delay thanks to A1 Auto.
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidanceCourtney J.
★★★★★
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidance
Just what you need when trusting someone with your wheels! Kudos to this company!
Jeff enjoyed the fair priceJeff D.
★★★★★
Jeff enjoyed the fair price
Moved my ride hassle-free with these folks.Fair pricing, no surprises. Definitely recommend them!
Maria enjoyed the special care and safetyMaria L.
★★★★★
Maria enjoyed the special care and safety
Huge thanks to the movers – they were meticulous with my car. Love these guys.
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Jeremy Foster
Reliable Every Time, Year After Year
★★★★★

I’ve been shipping my vehicle twice a year for the past five years, and I always go back to the same crew. They've never missed a beat and every shipment is handled smoothly and without stress. It’s rare to find consistency like this in car shipping.

Greg Timmons
Fast and Smooth Delivery of My Classic Car
★★★★★

Had to move my old muscle car from Colorado to Illinois and the transport only took two days. The whole process—from booking to drop-off—was straightforward, and the updates at both ends kept me confident everything was on track. Wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.

Lori Hancock
Trustworthy, On-Time, and Well-Priced
★★★★★

We had a car shipped cross-country, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The pricing was fair, the timing was spot on, and I was kept in the loop the entire trip. For anyone shipping between Illinois and Iowa, I’d recommend these folks in a heartbeat.

Melissa R. Grant
Smooth Coordination and Excellent Communication
★★★★★

Our car shipment went exactly as planned. The entire process from pick-up to drop-off—was well-coordinated and stress-free. The driver checked in at every key point, and the vehicle arrived right on time in perfect condition. Will absolutely use A1 Auto Transport again for future moves.

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A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
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