($693+) Greensboro, NC to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Greensboro, NC, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $693 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,602 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,036 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 $1,869, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,602 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,207 - $3,958, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $693 - $1,794.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Greensboro, NC, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,366 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 Greensboro, NC to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Greensboro 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 $2,366 - $5,890 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 68% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,036-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,036-mile route from Greensboro to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,869 - $4,698 | $1,207 - $2,247 | $693 - $1,316 | $1,014 - $1,926 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,366 - $5,890 | $1,524 - $2,976 | $749 - $1,565 | $1,159 - $2,428 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,937 - $7,602 | $2,016 - $3,958 | $895 - $1,794 | $1,532 - $3,229 |
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 Greensboro, NC to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Greensboro, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,869 and $7,602. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,036-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $256 - $1,704, 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 Greensboro and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Greensboro tend to start around $249 plus $85/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 Greensboro to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,869 - $4,698
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,366 - $5,890
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,937 - $7,602
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 Greensboro to Des Moines.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Greensboro, NC to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 61% of Greensboro 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 packing70% of local movers | $426 - $4,260 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready61% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Excel Moving and Storage | $170 - $1,022/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $256 - $2,045 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% 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 items22% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Excel Moving and Storage | $852 - $2,130 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Excel Moving and Storage | $682 - $2,982 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling12% of local movers | $256 - $1,278 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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 Greensboro 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 the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Greensboro, NC, 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 Greensboro, NC to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Greensboro, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,207 and $3,958. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Greensboro costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Greensboro to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,207 - $2,247
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,524 - $2,976
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,016 - $3,958
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $64 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $128 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $596 in Greensboro, NC, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Des Moines, IA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina 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 $1,207. 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 $1,524 - $2,976.
What are the best moving containers Greensboro 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 Greensboro 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 Greensboro:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 14 years in business
- Mustang Moving LLC (4.9/5), 4 years in business
- American Moving & Hauling, Inc. (4.8/5), 20 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Greensboro, NC to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $693 - $1,794 for a rental moving truck on the 1,036-mile route from Greensboro, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $281 - $321
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Greensboro 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 Greensboro to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $693 - $1,316
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $749 - $1,565
- 4+ bedrooms: $895 - $1,794
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $693 - $1,794 when pricing out a rental truck from Greensboro to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $281 - $321, and overnight lodging ($128/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $128 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 Greensboro, North Carolina, usually costs about $596 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,036-mile drive falls between $281 and $321, 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 $43 and $256 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Greensboro 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 Greensboro, NC to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Greensboro, North Carolina, 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 $1,159 and $2,428.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Greensboro to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,014 - $1,926
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,159 - $2,428
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,532 - $3,229
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $64 - $128 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Greensboro, North Carolina, typically costs $596.
What are the best freight companies from Greensboro 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Greensboro 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: Greensboro, NC vs Des Moines, IA
Good news for your budget: Des Moines isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Greensboro. Cost of living index runs 87 there against 84 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 29/100 and 54.09/100 here versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Greensboro, NC guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Iowa, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 313 movers licensed in North Carolina, useful context for sizing up this 1,036-mile move.
Our take
A move from Greensboro, NC, 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 $1,869 - $7,602 on the 1,036-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,207 - $3,958, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $693 - $1,794. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,366 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 Greensboro, NC, to Des Moines, IA
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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($281 - $321), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $128/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 29 and 32 in Greensboro. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Greensboro, NC to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $693 to $7,602, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,869 and $7,602, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Greensboro, NC 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.
What percentage of Greensboro movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Greensboro handle piano moves, and 22% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.