($611+) Rochester, NY to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Rochester, NY, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $611 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,979 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 919 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,633, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,979 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,075 - $3,511, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $611 - $1,702.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Rochester, NY, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,137 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 Rochester, NY to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Rochester to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,137 - $4,991 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 35% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 69% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 919-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 919-mile route from Rochester to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,633 - $3,921 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,075 - $2,091), rental truck ($611 - $1,122), or freight trailer ($1,007 - $1,809). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,137 - $4,991 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $6,979.
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 Rochester, NY to Des Moines, IA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 919-mile move from Rochester, New York, to Des Moines, Iowa, with prices running from $1,633 - $6,979. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $265 - $1,764 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Rochester and Des Moines are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Rochester movers tend to run around $294 as a base rate plus $216/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Rochester to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,633 - $3,921
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,137 - $4,991
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,392 - $6,979
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 Rochester 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 Rochester, NY to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 78% of Rochester 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 packing65% of local movers | $441 - $4,410 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready78% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Sheridan Brothers Moving | $176 - $1,058/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $265 - $2,117 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $882 - $2,646 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,205 - $8,820 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $661 - $1,255 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items18% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Sheridan Brothers Moving | $882 - $2,205 |
| Piano | Any piano type30% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Interior Moving Services Inc | $706 - $3,087 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $265 - $1,323 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect18% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Interior Moving Services Inc | $573 - $1,764 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $265 - $13,230+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $265 - $3,087+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Rochester 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Rochester, NY, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Rochester, NY to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Rochester, New York, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,075 and $3,511. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Des Moines. If you go over that window, storage in Rochester adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Rochester to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,075 - $2,091
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,382 - $2,820
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,878 - $3,511
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $66 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $132 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 $617 in Rochester, NY. 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 New York 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 $1,075. 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 $1,382 - $2,820.
What are the best moving containers Rochester 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 Rochester 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 Rochester:
- Sheridan Brothers Moving (4.0/5), 23 years in business
- Interior Moving Services Inc (4.8/5), 33 years in business
- Joe's Moving Co. (4.8/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Rochester, NY to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 919-mile move from Rochester, New York, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $611 and $1,702. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $258 - $295
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Rochester 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 Rochester to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $611 - $1,122
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $661 - $1,428
- 4+ bedrooms: $853 - $1,702
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Rochester to Des Moines starts at $611 - $1,702, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($258 - $295), overnight lodging ($132/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $132 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Rochester, New York, usually costs about $617 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 919-mile drive falls between $258 and $295, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $44 and $265 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Rochester 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 Rochester, NY to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Rochester, New York, to Des Moines, Iowa, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,094 and $2,301.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Rochester to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,007 - $1,809
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,094 - $2,301
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,565 - $2,869
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Rochester, New York, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $617.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $66 - $132 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Rochester to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Rochester, NY vs Des Moines, IA
Good news for your budget: Des Moines isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Rochester. Cost of living index runs 87 there against 89 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 61/100 and 36.66/100 here versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Rochester, NY guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from New York to Iowa, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 520 movers in New York, so you have real options to compare for this 919-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 919-mile route from Rochester, NY, to Des Moines, IA, run $1,633 - $6,979 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,075 - $3,511, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $611 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,137, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Rochester, NY, to Des Moines, IA
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 36.66 and 37.54 in Rochester. 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 61 and 60 in Rochester. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Des Moines?
For families, Linden Heights, Waterbury, and Waveland Park are worth a look in Des Moines. If you're moving solo or without kids, Sherman Hill, Downtown, and East Village tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Iowa?
When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements.
What do local movers charge in Rochester?
Local movers based in Rochester typically start around $294 as a base rate, plus $216/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Des Moines run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Rochester movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 30% of movers in Rochester handle piano moves, and 18% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.