Shipping a car from San Francisco, CA to Des Moines, IA covers about 1,547 mi. For a standard sedan on an open carrier, our model puts the fair range at $890–$1,110 (typically around $990). Enclosed transport, which protects against weather and road debris, adds roughly 40%.
| Vehicle | Open | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | $890–$1,110 | $1,250–$1,550 |
| SUV / minivan | $960–$1,200 | $1,345–$1,675 |
| Pickup truck | $1,115–$1,385 | $1,560–$1,940 |
| EV | $1,000–$1,240 | $1,395–$1,740 |
Beyond distance, the biggest swing factors are season (summer and snowbird migration push prices up), vehicle size and weight, and how accessible your pickup and delivery addresses are — rural or hard-to-reach spots cost more than door-to-door on a major highway near San Francisco or Des Moines.
For a standard sedan on open transport, expect roughly $890–$1,110 over the 1547-mile route. Enclosed transport runs about $1,250–$1,550.
Typical transit is 4–6 days once the carrier picks up, depending on carrier schedules and weather.
Distance is the biggest factor, then vehicle size, open vs. enclosed transport, season (summer and snowbird months cost more), and how far pickup/delivery are from major highways.