($842+) Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Jacksonville, FL, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $826 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,900 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,247 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $1,975, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,900 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,348 - $4,398, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $826 - $2,265.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Jacksonville, FL, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,464 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 Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Jacksonville to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,464 - $5,759 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,247 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,247-mile route from Jacksonville to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,975 - $4,530 with full-service movers, $1,348 - $2,528 with a container, $826 - $1,562 with a rental truck, or $1,248 - $2,120 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,464 - $5,759 full-service, $1,719 - $3,592 by container, $832 - $1,802 by rental truck, or $1,375 - $2,626 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,416 - $7,900 full-service, $2,306 - $4,398 by container, $1,124 - $2,265 by rental truck, or $1,808 - $3,699 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Jacksonville, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,975 and $7,900. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,247-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $277 - $1,848, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Jacksonville and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Jacksonville tend to start around $220 plus $95/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Jacksonville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,975 - $4,530
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,464 - $5,759
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,416 - $7,900
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 Jacksonville to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Florida to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 75% of Jacksonville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $462 - $4,620 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready75% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Flex Moving & Storage | $185 - $1,109/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $277 - $2,218 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage7% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $924 - $2,772 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,310 - $9,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $692 - $1,315 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Helping Hands Express Moving & Storage | $924 - $2,310 |
| Piano | Any piano type68% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Royal Moving and Storage | $739 - $3,234 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling18% of local movers | $277 - $1,386 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Premier Movers | $601 - $1,848 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $277 - $13,860+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $277 - $3,234+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Jacksonville to Des Moines?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Iowa Motor Truck Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Jacksonville, FL. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Jacksonville, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,348 and $4,398. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Jacksonville typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Jacksonville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,348 - $2,528
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,719 - $3,592
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,306 - $4,398
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $69 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $139 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 $647 in Jacksonville, FL. 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 Florida 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 $1,348. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,719 - $3,592, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville:
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 4 years in business
- Royal Moving and Storage (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Stewart Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 32 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,247 miles from Jacksonville, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $826 - $2,265. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $367 - $419
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Jacksonville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.89
| 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 Jacksonville to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $826 - $1,562
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $832 - $1,802
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,124 - $2,265
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $826 - $2,265 when pricing out a rental truck from Jacksonville to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs ($367 - $419) , and overnight lodging ($139/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $139 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $60 and $300 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $367 - $419 in fuel for the 1,247-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $647 in Jacksonville, Florida, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Jacksonville, Florida, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,375 and $2,626.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Jacksonville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,248 - $2,120
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,375 - $2,626
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,808 - $3,699
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Jacksonville, Florida, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $647.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $69 and $139 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Jacksonville 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.
- Landstar Ranger, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): Landstar Ranger, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Jacksonville to Des Moines. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Jacksonville, FL vs Des Moines, IA
Good news for your budget: Des Moines isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Jacksonville. Cost of living index runs 87 there against 96 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 26/100 and 43.62/100 here versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Jacksonville, FL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Florida to Iowa, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Florida alone has 229 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,247-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Jacksonville, FL, to Des Moines, IA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,975 - $7,900 on the 1,247-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,348 - $4,398 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $826 - $2,265 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,464 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Jacksonville, FL, to Des Moines, IA
What is the best time of year to move from Jacksonville, FL 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 Jacksonville, FL 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 43.62 and 56.38 in Jacksonville. 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 26 and 41 in Jacksonville. 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.
What percentage of Jacksonville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 68% of movers in Jacksonville handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
