Door-to-door car shipping with fully insured carriers. No upfront payment.
Iowa State University drives much of the demand for Ames auto transport, with students shipping vehicles at the start and end of each academic year and faculty relocating for positions in engineering and agricultural research. Retirees in this college town also ship cars to southern destinations ahead of Iowa winters.
Ames sits along I-35 but roughly 30 miles north of the I-80 corridor where most cross-country carriers travel. This offset means fewer trucks pass through directly, making advance planning essential when you need to ship a car from Ames. Carriers serving Des Moines may add Ames as a nearby stop, so flexible dates improve the odds of a route match.
Winter weather compounds scheduling challenges. Snow and ice between November and March can delay pickups, and seasonal snowbird departures create a brief spike in outbound demand each fall—tightening an already limited Ames auto transport market during peak weeks.
All was smooth, Alex was great to communicate with. The car was sent enclosed and at a good rate.
My car was picked up and delivered as promised. No issues. High integrity by owner and operator.
I just purchased a rare Mercedes in New York to be shipped to Naples and it got here safe and sound! Shipped on time with excellent customer service.
Review your quote, confirm vehicle details and dates. No payment collected until a carrier is assigned.
We dispatch your order to our carrier network. You receive carrier details, insurance info, and estimated pickup window.
Carrier gives you 24 hours advance notice before pickup. Walk-around inspection together, every mark documented on the Bill of Lading, both parties sign.
Track your shipment status through your coordinator. We handle any schedule changes or logistics questions.
24-hour advance notice, then a call when close. Second walk-around inspection — damage during transport is extremely rare, but note any new issues on the Bill of Lading before signing. Once signed without exceptions, claims are extremely difficult to win.
Every carrier in our network is required to carry cargo insurance as a condition of their FMCSA operating authority. Coverage details vary by carrier and are confirmed before your vehicle is dispatched.
At pickup, the driver and you complete a joint vehicle inspection. Every scratch, dent, and existing mark is documented on the Bill of Lading. At delivery, you must carefully compare the vehicle's condition against this record before signing the delivery receipt. If you notice any new damage, note it on the Bill of Lading before you sign. Once you sign the delivery receipt without noting damage, it becomes extremely difficult to file and win a claim. This is the single most important step in protecting yourself during the transport process.
Ames's low carrier volume is the primary cost factor—fewer trucks competing for shipments means rates tend to run above what you'd see from Des Moines or other I-80 cities. Vehicle type, distance, and seasonal demand also influence pricing. Request a quote for your specific route.
Because Ames is north of the main I-80 corridor, carriers must detour from higher-traffic routes. Matching with a truck heading through central Iowa on I-35 can take additional scheduling time compared to hub cities. Select your route above for timing details.
Yes. Ames features wide residential streets and accessible campus-area neighborhoods, so carriers can typically reach pickup and delivery addresses directly. We coordinate door-to-door car shipping in Ames where road width and access permit.
Open transport works well for most vehicles shipped through Iowa and is far easier to book in a low-volume market like Ames. Enclosed transport protects high-value, classic, or luxury cars from road debris and winter elements, but enclosed availability is more limited than open transport and pricing is typically higher—especially on routes with fewer carriers.
Late spring and early summer—after Iowa State's semester ends—see strong outbound student demand. Fall move-in creates an inbound wave. Booking outside these university-driven peaks, such as mid-winter or midsummer, may yield more carrier options and competitive auto transport Ames IA pricing.
Someone 18 or older must be present at both ends to authorize the shipment and sign the Bill of Lading. If you cannot attend personally, designate a trusted representative — a friend, family member, or dealership contact — to handle the vehicle inspection and paperwork on your behalf.
Yes. Every carrier in our network carries cargo insurance as required by their FMCSA operating authority. Coverage specifics are confirmed before dispatch. At both pickup and delivery, you complete a joint vehicle inspection documented on a Bill of Lading — this protects you if any issue arises.
Yes, we transport non-running vehicles to Ames. The vehicle needs to roll, steer, and brake for standard loading. Vehicles that cannot roll may require a winch or forklift at additional cost. Mention the vehicle's condition when requesting your quote.
Wash the exterior so scratches and dents are visible during inspection. Remove toll transponders, parking passes, and loose interior items. Leave roughly a quarter tank of fuel. Disable aftermarket alarms. Take dated photos of all sides, roof, and odometer before the carrier arrives for your records.
Most carriers allow personal belongings in the trunk or cargo area up to about 100 pounds. Items must stay below the window line and cannot be fragile or high-value. Personal items are not covered under carrier cargo insurance, so keep the vehicle as empty as practical.
