($314+) St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $314 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,307 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 349 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $991, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,307 or more.
- Moving containers run $862 - $2,750, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $314 - $803.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,599 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Louis to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $1,599 - $4,583. Containers cost roughly 29% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 78% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 349 miles, expect 1 to 4 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 349-mile route from St. Louis to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $991 - $3,449, container $862 - $1,527, rental truck $314 - $608, freight trailer $753 - $1,402.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,599 - $4,583, container $1,136 - $2,038, rental truck $344 - $664, freight trailer $856 - $1,681.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $2,530 - $6,307, container $1,400 - $2,750, rental truck $419 - $803, freight trailer $1,190 - $2,072.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 349-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $991 - $6,307. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $256 - $1,704. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Louis and Des Moines. Local movers in St. Louis typically start around $247 as a base rate plus $145/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $991 - $3,449
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,599 - $4,583
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,530 - $6,307
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from St. Louis to Des Moines.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 68% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $426 - $4,260 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready68% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $170 - $1,022/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $256 - $2,045 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $852 - $2,556 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,130 - $8,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $638 - $1,212 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: McGuire Moving and Storage | $852 - $2,130 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $682 - $2,982 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $256 - $1,278 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $554 - $1,704 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $256 - $12,780+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $256 - $2,982+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Des Moines?
All three below meet the standards set by the Iowa Motor Truck Association, the group most Iowa movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
How much do local movers cost in St. Louis, MO?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from St. Louis to Des Moines with a local mover averages $1,520 - $4,354. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in St. Louis, MO can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.72/5 stars) is a local mover in St. Louis, based on our analysis of feedback from 273 customers, 83.5% of which is positive.
Address: 3050 Armona Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63129 | Founded: 1989
Moving container costs from St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $862 and $2,750. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in St. Louis typically costs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $862 - $1,527
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,136 - $2,038
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,400 - $2,750
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $64 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $128 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Des Moines, IA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $596 in St. Louis, MO. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri to Iowa move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $862. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,136 - $2,038.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Des Moines?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in St. Louis to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in St. Louis:
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from St. Louis, Missouri, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $314 - $803 for the 349-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $95 - $108
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from St. Louis to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $314 - $608
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $344 - $664
- 4+ bedrooms: $419 - $803
Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Louis to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $314 - $803. But once you factor in fuel ($95 - $108), overnight lodging ($128/night), meals, and equipment rentals, the total adds up to more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $64 and $298.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $128.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $95 and $108 for the 349-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $596 for 2 movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Des Moines?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from St. Louis, Missouri, to Des Moines, Iowa. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $767 and $1,681.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $753 - $1,402
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $856 - $1,681
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,190 - $2,072
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $64 - $128 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for about five hours typically runs $596.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Des Moines fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: St. Louis, MO vs Des Moines, IA
Day-to-day costs in Des Moines are close to what you're used to in St. Louis: cost of living index of 87 versus 84, with average rent of $1,150/mo compared to $1,250/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 66/100 and 30.35/100 in St. Louis versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Missouri to Iowa in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 138 movers based in Missouri, handy for sizing up options on this 349-mile route.
Our take
A move from St. Louis, MO, to Des Moines, IA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $991 - $6,307 on the 349-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $862 - $2,750, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $314 - $803. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,599 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Des Moines, IA
How long does a move from St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 4 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Des Moines a safe place to live?
Des Moines has a safety index of 57.8 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 30.35 and 69.65 in St. Louis. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Des Moines?
Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 66 and 58 in St. Louis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.