($473+) Denver, CO to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Denver, CO, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $473 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,640 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 671 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 $1,539, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,640 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,051 - $3,250, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $473 - $1,259.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Denver, CO, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,228 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 Denver, CO to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Denver to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,228 - $5,556. Moving containers run about 45% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 76% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 671-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 671-mile route from Denver to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,539 - $4,066 | $1,051 - $1,884 | $473 - $895 | $919 - $1,598 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,228 - $5,556 | $1,220 - $2,382 | $542 - $1,020 | $986 - $1,926 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,876 - $7,640 | $1,683 - $3,250 | $631 - $1,259 | $1,333 - $2,704 |
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 Denver, CO to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 671-mile relocation from Denver, Colorado, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,539 and $7,640. 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 $335 - $2,232, 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 Denver typically charge a base rate around $262 plus $115 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Denver to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,539 - $4,066
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,228 - $5,556
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,876 - $7,640
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 Denver 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 Denver, CO to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 48% of Denver 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 | $558 - $5,580 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready48% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Moving Brothers LLC | $223 - $1,339/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $335 - $2,678 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,116 - $3,348 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,790 - $11,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $836 - $1,588 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Brothers LLC | $1,116 - $2,790 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Moving Brothers LLC | $893 - $3,906 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $335 - $1,674 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationally | $725 - $2,232 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $335 - $16,740+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $335 - $3,906+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Denver 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 Denver, CO, 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 Denver, CO to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Denver, Colorado, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,051 and $3,250. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Des Moines. If you go over that window, storage in Denver adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Denver to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,051 - $1,884
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,220 - $2,382
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,683 - $3,250
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Denver, CO and Des Moines, IA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $781 in Denver, CO, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $84 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $167 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Colorado 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 $1,051. 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 $1,220 - $2,382.
What are the best moving containers Denver 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 Denver 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 Denver:
- Skyline Moving Company (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Moving Brothers LLC (4.9/5), 13 years in business
- Moving Proz (4.8/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Denver, CO to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $473 - $1,259 for a rental moving truck on the 671-mile route from Denver, Colorado, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $238 - $272
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Denver daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Denver to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $473 - $895
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $542 - $1,020
- 4+ bedrooms: $631 - $1,259
Pro tip: The base rate of $473 - $1,259 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Denver to Des Moines. Fuel ($238 - $272), lodging at around $167/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
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 $84 and $391.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $167.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $238 and $272 for the 671-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 $781 for 2 movers in Denver, Colorado, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Denver 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 Denver, CO to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Denver, Colorado, to Des Moines, Iowa. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,004 and $1,926.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Denver to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $919 - $1,598
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $986 - $1,926
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,333 - $2,704
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 Denver, Colorado, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $781.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $84 and $167 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Denver to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
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 Des Moines 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: Denver, CO 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 Denver on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Denver, CO | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 128 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,900/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $586,595 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $91,681/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.49% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 95/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 52.16/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Denver, CO guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Colorado 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. Colorado alone has 278 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 671-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Denver, CO, to Des Moines, IA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,539 - $7,640 on the 671-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,051 - $3,250 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $473 - $1,259 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,228 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Denver, CO, to Des Moines, IA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Denver, CO 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 do local movers charge in Denver?
Local movers based in Denver typically start around $262 as a base rate, plus $115/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 Des Moines run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Denver, CO to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 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 are the best neighborhoods in Des Moines?
For families, Linden Heights, Waterbury, and Waveland Park are worth a look in Des Moines. If you're moving solo or without kids, Sherman Hill, Downtown, and East Village tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Denver, CO 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 $542 - $1,020. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Denver movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Denver handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.