($495+) Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Little Rock, AR, runs anywhere from $466 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,016 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 617 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,502, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,016 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,050 - $3,384, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $466 - $1,327.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Little Rock, AR. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,221 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 Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR
Moving options from Des Moines to Little Rock fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,221 - $5,751 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 617 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 617-mile route from Des Moines to Little Rock, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,502 - $4,415 | $1,050 - $1,799 | $466 - $925 | $954 - $1,738 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,221 - $5,751 | $1,346 - $2,721 | $551 - $1,066 | $1,066 - $2,178 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,147 - $8,016 | $1,850 - $3,384 | $642 - $1,327 | $1,380 - $2,734 |
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 Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR
For the 617-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Little Rock, Arkansas, full-service movers cost between $1,502 and $8,016. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $254 - $1,692 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Des Moines generally start around $737 plus $142 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Little Rock:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,502 - $4,415
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,221 - $5,751
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,147 - $8,016
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 Des Moines to Little Rock.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Arkansas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Little Rock, 89% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $423 - $4,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $169 - $1,015/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $254 - $2,030 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $846 - $2,538 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,115 - $8,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $634 - $1,204 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $846 - $2,115 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $677 - $2,961 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $254 - $1,269 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $550 - $1,692 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $254 - $12,690+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $254 - $2,961+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Little Rock?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Des Moines, IA, 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 Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Little Rock, Arkansas, cost between $1,050 and $3,384. 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 Des Moines typically costs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Little Rock:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,050 - $1,799
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,346 - $2,721
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,850 - $3,384
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $63 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $127 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 $592 in Des Moines, IA, 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 Little Rock, AR, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Arkansas 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 $1,050. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,346 - $2,721, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Little Rock?
- 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 29 years in business
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR
A rental truck for this 617-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Little Rock, Arkansas, costs between $466 and $1,327. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $166 - $190
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Des Moines daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $1.19
| 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 Des Moines to Little Rock based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $466 - $925
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $551 - $1,066
- 4+ bedrooms: $642 - $1,327
Pro tip: The base rate of $466 - $1,327 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Des Moines to Little Rock. Fuel ($166 - $190) , lodging at around $127/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $166 - $190 for the 617-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours typically costs around $592.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 617-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $127 per night, adding $254 - $381 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $42 and $254.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Little Rock?
- 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 Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Des Moines, Iowa, to Little Rock, Arkansas. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,066 and $2,178.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Little Rock:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $954 - $1,738
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,066 - $2,178
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,380 - $2,734
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Des Moines, Iowa, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $592.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $63 - $127 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 Des Moines to Little Rock?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Little Rock quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Little Rock, AR
Des Moines and Little Rock land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 87 in Des Moines and 81 in Little Rock, and rent tracks closely too ($1,150/mo vs. $1,100/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (45 vs 33) and safety scores (57.8 vs 39.94) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Arkansas over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 36 movers in our Iowa network to compare for this 617-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Des Moines, IA, to Little Rock, AR, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,502 for a studio to $8,016 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 617-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,050 - $3,384. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $466 - $1,327, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,221 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Dillard's and Welspun Group.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Little Rock, AR
Is Little Rock a safe place to live?
Little Rock has a safety index of 39.94 out of 100 and a crime index of 60.06, compared to 57.8 and 5.0 in Des Moines. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $551 - $1,066. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Little Rock?
For families, Capital View/Stiff, Hillcrest, and River Mountain are worth a look in Little Rock. If you're moving solo or without kids, Hillcrest, Downtown, and Capital View/Stiff tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 do local movers charge in Des Moines?
Local movers based in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate, plus $142/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 Little Rock run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
