($435+) Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Little Rock, AR, runs anywhere from $435 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,190 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $1,431, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,190 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,010 - $3,065, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $435 - $1,239.
- 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 $2,095 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. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,095 - $5,316 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 76% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 617 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
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 | $1,431 - $3,844 | $1,010 - $1,855 | $435 - $822 | $909 - $1,607 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,095 - $5,316 | $1,194 - $2,567 | $500 - $1,046 | $1,035 - $1,956 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,797 - $8,190 | $1,761 - $3,065 | $593 - $1,239 | $1,275 - $2,427 |
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 Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 617-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Little Rock, Arkansas, with costs ranging from $1,431 - $8,190. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $254 - $1,692. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Des Moines and Little Rock. Local movers in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate plus $142/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: $1,431 - $3,844
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,095 - $5,316
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,797 - $8,190
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.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Little Rock, 48% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $423 - $4,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% 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 coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% 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 items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $846 - $2,115 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $677 - $2,961 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $254 - $1,269 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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 $1,010 and $3,065. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Des Moines runs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Little Rock:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,010 - $1,855
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,194 - $2,567
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,761 - $3,065
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $63 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $127 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Little Rock, AR, 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 $592 in Des Moines, IA. 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 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 $1,010. 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 $1,194 - $2,567.
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:
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- The Approved Movers (4.8/5), 6 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 $435 and $1,239. 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: $435 - $822
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $500 - $1,046
- 4+ bedrooms: $593 - $1,239
Pro tip: A rental truck from Des Moines to Little Rock looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $435 - $1,239. But once you factor in fuel ($166 - $190), overnight lodging ($127/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. 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 $63 and $296.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $127.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $166 and $190 for the 617-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 $592 for 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
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
For larger DIY moves from Des Moines, Iowa, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Little Rock, Arkansas.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,035 and $1,956.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Little Rock:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $909 - $1,607
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,035 - $1,956
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,275 - $2,427
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $63 and $127.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly five hours typically average $592.
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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Little Rock 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: Des Moines, IA vs Little Rock, AR
Day-to-day costs in Little Rock are close to what you're used to in Des Moines: cost of living index of 81 versus 87, with average rent of $1,100/mo compared to $1,150/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 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines versus 33/100 and 39.94/100 in Little Rock.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Arkansas 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 67 movers based in Iowa, handy for sizing up options on this 617-mile route.
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 $1,431 for a studio to $8,190 for a 4+ 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 $1,010 - $3,065. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $435 - $1,239, 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 $2,095 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
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR?
Costs on this route range from around $435 to $8,190, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,431 and $8,190, 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.
How walkable is Little Rock?
Little Rock has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 32, compared to 45 and 39 in Des Moines. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($166 - $190), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $127/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Arkansas?
Before providing in-state household goods relocation services, Arkansas moving companies must be issued an Intrastate Authority Permit from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 12% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.