Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Ames, Iowa to Phoenix, Arizona

Shipping a car across 1,365 miles from Iowa to Arizona usually costs between $949 and $1,507 and can take about 3-8 days, depending on transport type and timing. Pro Tip: The Iowa to Arizona route is popular with snowbirds heading for warmer weather in the winter. Booking 2–4 weeks ahead usually gets better pricing.

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, the cost difference shrinks, and shipping often becomes more cost-effective when factoring in gas, food, lodging, wear-and-tear, and time, making it worth paying a carrier to avoid the hassle and expense of a long solo trip, though driving saves on carrier fees but adds travel time and costs.

The cheapest way to ship a car to another state is usually open transport on a multi-car carrier, combined with terminal-to-terminal service, booking during off-peak seasons, and comparing quotes from multiple companies like Montway or uShip to get the best rate. Driving it yourself is cheapest if feasible, but open transport is the most affordable external service.