($812+) St. Petersburg, FL to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from St. Petersburg, FL, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $812 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,692 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,380 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $1,929, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,692 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,350 - $4,453, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $812 - $2,374.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Petersburg, FL, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,387 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Petersburg to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,387 - $5,603. Containers cost roughly 32% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 61% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,380 miles, expect 3 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,380-mile route from St. Petersburg 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 $1,929 - $4,464 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,350 - $2,494), rental truck ($812 - $1,619), or freight trailer ($1,227 - $2,311). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,387 - $5,603 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,692.
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 St. Petersburg, FL to Des Moines, IA
For the 1,380-mile move from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $1,929 and $7,692. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $290 - $1,932 (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 St. Petersburg generally start around $318 plus $185 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Petersburg to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,929 - $4,464
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,387 - $5,603
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,553 - $7,692
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 St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of St. Petersburg 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 packing75% of local movers | $483 - $4,830 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $193 - $1,159/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $290 - $2,318 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $966 - $2,898 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,415 - $9,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $724 - $1,375 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 3 Guys Moving | $966 - $2,415 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $773 - $3,381 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $290 - $1,449 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $628 - $1,932 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $290 - $14,490+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $290 - $3,381+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Petersburg to Des Moines?
Movers licensed to operate in Iowa are typically members of the Iowa Motor Truck Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in St. Petersburg, FL. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from St. Petersburg, FL to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,350 and $4,453. 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 St. Petersburg typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Petersburg to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,350 - $2,494
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,622 - $3,414
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,180 - $4,453
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $72 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $145 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 $676 in St. Petersburg, 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 $1,350. 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 $1,622 - $3,414.
What are the best moving containers St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- Strong College Students Moving (4.7/5), 21 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 3 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Petersburg, FL to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $812 - $2,374 for a rental moving truck on the 1,380-mile route from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $424 - $485
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $812 - $1,619
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $942 - $1,945
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,118 - $2,374
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from St. Petersburg to Des Moines starts at $812 - $2,374, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($424 - $485), overnight lodging ($145/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $72 and $338.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $145.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $424 and $485 for the 1,380-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 $676 for 2 movers in St. Petersburg, Florida, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from St. Petersburg, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,311 and $2,813.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Petersburg to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,227 - $2,311
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,311 - $2,813
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,891 - $3,817
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 St. Petersburg, Florida, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $676.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $72 and $145 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from St. Petersburg 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: If speed matters on your move from St. Petersburg to Des Moines, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Des Moines, IA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Des Moines, side by side with St. Petersburg on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Petersburg, FL | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 103 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,075/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $327,967 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $73,118/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 60.46/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to St. Petersburg, 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 885 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,380-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,380-mile route from St. Petersburg, FL, to Des Moines, IA, run $1,929 - $7,692 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,350 - $4,453, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $812 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,387, 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 St. Petersburg, FL, to Des Moines, IA
How much does it cost to move from St. Petersburg, FL to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $812 to $7,692, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,929 and $7,692, 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 is the cheapest way to move from St. Petersburg, FL to Des Moines, IA?
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 $942 - $1,945. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($424 - $485), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $145/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from St. Petersburg, FL to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 3 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 is the best time of year to move from St. Petersburg, 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 percentage of St. Petersburg movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in St. Petersburg handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.