($616+) Des Moines, IA to Rochester, NY Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Rochester, NY, runs anywhere from $648 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,552 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 919 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,083, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,552 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,140 - $4,115, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $648 - $1,682.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Rochester, NY. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,542 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 Rochester, NY
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Rochester: 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 $2,542 - $6,056. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 919 miles, expect 2 to 7 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 919-mile route from Des Moines to Rochester, 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 $2,083 - $4,758 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,140 - $2,239), rental truck ($648 - $1,153), or freight trailer ($1,110 - $1,899). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,542 - $6,056 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,552.
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 Rochester, NY
Full-service movers for the 919-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Rochester, New York, cost between $2,083 and $8,552. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $263 - $1,756, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Des Moines typically charge a base rate around $737 plus $142 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,083 - $4,758
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,542 - $6,056
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,459 - $8,552
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 Rochester.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to New York. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Des Moines, IA to Rochester, NY
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Rochester, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $439 - $4,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $176 - $1,054/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $263 - $2,107 |
| 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 | $878 - $2,634 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,195 - $8,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $658 - $1,249 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $878 - $2,195 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $702 - $3,073 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $263 - $1,317 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $571 - $1,756 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $263 - $13,170+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $263 - $3,073+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Rochester?
New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in New York, on top of the picks below.
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Des Moines, IA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Rochester, NY
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Rochester, New York, cost between $1,140 and $4,115. 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 Des Moines typically runs around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,140 - $2,239
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,510 - $3,140
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,971 - $4,115
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $615 in Des Moines, IA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $66 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $132 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Rochester, NY, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to New York 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 $1,140. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,510 - $3,140, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Rochester?
- 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 Rochester, NY
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Rochester, New York, range from $648 - $1,682 for the 919-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $257 - $293
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- 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 Rochester based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $648 - $1,153
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $707 - $1,428
- 4+ bedrooms: $843 - $1,682
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $648 - $1,682 does not include fuel ($257 - $293) , lodging ($132/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Des Moines to Rochester typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $66 and $307.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $132.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $257 and $293 for the 919-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 $615 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 Rochester?
- 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 Rochester, NY
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Rochester, New York, 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 $1,244 and $2,440.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,110 - $1,899
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,244 - $2,440
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,708 - $3,135
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $66 - $132 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about five hours typically runs $615.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Rochester?
- 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.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems 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 Des Moines to Rochester. 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: Des Moines, IA vs Rochester, NY
Day-to-day costs in Rochester are close to what you're used to in Des Moines: cost of living index of 89 versus 87, with average rent of $1,250/mo compared to $1,150/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines versus 61/100 and 36.66/100 in Rochester.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Rochester, NY to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Iowa to New York, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 36 movers in Iowa, so you have real options to compare for this 919-mile move.
Our take
The 919-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Rochester, NY, costs between $2,083 and $8,552 with full-service movers, $1,140 - $4,115 with a moving container, and $648 - $1,682 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,542 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Wegmans Food Markets and Paychex.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Rochester, NY
Is Rochester a safe place to live?
Rochester has a safety index of 36.66 out of 100 and a crime index of 37.54, 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.
How walkable is Rochester?
Rochester has a walkability score of 61 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 60, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Rochester?
For families, Cobbs Hill, Upper Monroe, and Strong are worth a look in Rochester. If you're moving solo or without kids, East Avenue, Swillburg, and South Wedge tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in New York?
New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations.
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 Rochester 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.
