Shipping a Car from Dallas, TX to Des Moines, IA
Ship from Dallas and the car covers about 753 miles northbound to Des Moines, through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. Transit after dispatch is about 1–2 days (15 hours of driving, plus stops). This lane sees steady, moderate demand.
The Route and Corridor
Along the way the route touches Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. In Iowa, I-80 and I-35 are the backbone, with long open stretches. In Oklahoma, I-35, I-40 and I-44 cross, and turnpikes are tolled. Expect severe spring storms, Gulf hurricanes and desert heat in the west in Texas. Metros near that straight-line path include Tulsa (OK), Overland Park (KS) and Kansas City (MO), although the actual interstate routing may bend around them. Toll roads in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas are built into carrier pricing.
What Dallas to Des Moines Costs
A sedan on an open trailer is priced at roughly $450–$640 on this haul, or $0.72 for each of the 753 miles. For a larger vehicle plan on $505–$715, and for enclosed carriage of a sedan plan on $650–$930 (about 45% above open). For scale, Denver, CO to Phoenix, AZ is a similar 714-mile move at $535–$785. Ending in Omaha instead (134 mi from Des Moines) is estimated at $525–$770.
| Transport Type | Vehicle | Typical Price | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $450–$640 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $505–$715 | Taller, heavier vehicles |
| Open | Minivan | $505–$715 | Taller, heavier vehicles |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $650–$930 | Luxury, classic and low-clearance cars |
Estimates are for a standard sedan; actual quotes vary with pickup and drop-off points, condition and season.
Timing and Seasonality
High Plains winter storms and spring thunderstorms are the main weather risks, so late spring and early fall are calmest. For a 753-mile trip, request quotes about three weeks before pickup. Across Texas expect severe spring storms, Gulf hurricanes and desert heat in the west; across Iowa, winter storms and strong crosswinds.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Dallas. The nearest major airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. The main approaches to Dallas are I-30, I-35E and I-45. Dallas is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through.
Delivery in Des Moines. Des Moines International Airport is the usual reference point for staging in the area. Central Iowa crossroads of I-35 and I-80, handy for east-west and north-south hauls. Des Moines is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Compare nearby pickup points. Moving the handoff a short drive from Dallas can change the price on a 753-mile lane.
- Ask for a call-ahead. Request a heads-up the evening before the truck reaches Des Moines.
- Inspect at both ends. Walk around the car with the driver in Dallas and again in Des Moines, and note anything on the bill of lading.