($528+) Des Moines, IA to McKinney, TX Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to McKinney, TX, runs anywhere from $497 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,523 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 664 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 $1,647, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,523 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,114 - $3,618, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $497 - $1,445.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to McKinney, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,200 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 McKinney, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to McKinney: 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 $2,200 - $5,542. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 664-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 664-mile route from Des Moines to McKinney, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,647 - $4,443 with full-service movers, $1,114 - $1,997 with a container, $497 - $930 with a rental truck, or $983 - $1,659 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,200 - $5,542 full-service, $1,416 - $2,738 by container, $536 - $1,081 by rental truck, or $1,057 - $2,191 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,273 - $8,523 full-service, $1,894 - $3,618 by container, $683 - $1,445 by rental truck, or $1,472 - $2,619 by freight.
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 McKinney, TX
For the 664-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to McKinney, Texas, full-service movers cost between $1,647 and $8,523. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $291 - $1,940 (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 McKinney:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,647 - $4,443
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,200 - $5,542
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,273 - $8,523
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 McKinney.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 McKinney, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In McKinney, 95% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $485 - $4,850 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $194 - $1,164/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $291 - $2,328 |
| 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 | $970 - $2,910 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,425 - $9,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $727 - $1,380 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $970 - $2,425 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $776 - $3,395 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $291 - $1,455 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $631 - $1,940 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $291 - $14,550+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $291 - $3,395+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to McKinney?
Movers licensed to operate in Texas are typically members of the Southwest Movers 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 Des Moines, IA. 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 Des Moines, IA to McKinney, TX
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to McKinney, Texas, cost between $1,114 and $3,618. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Des Moines costs roughly $60/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to McKinney:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,114 - $1,997
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,416 - $2,738
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,894 - $3,618
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $73 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $146 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 $679 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 McKinney, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Texas 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 $1,114. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,416 - $2,738, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to McKinney?
- 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 McKinney, TX
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to McKinney, Texas, range from $497 - $1,445 for the 664-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $205 - $234
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- 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 McKinney based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $497 - $930
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $536 - $1,081
- 4+ bedrooms: $683 - $1,445
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Des Moines to McKinney starts at $497 - $1,445, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($205 - $234) , overnight lodging ($146/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $679.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $205 - $234 for the 664-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $58 and $315, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $146 per night for hotel stops on the 664-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $291 - $437.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to McKinney?
- 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 McKinney, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Des Moines, Iowa, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to McKinney, Texas.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,057 and $2,191.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to McKinney:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $983 - $1,659
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,057 - $2,191
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,472 - $2,619
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?
- 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 Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $679.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $73 and $146 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to McKinney?
- 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.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to McKinney. 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 McKinney, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in McKinney, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | McKinney, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 112 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $2,300/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $438,120 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $120,273/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | None |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 27/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 78.52/100 |
| 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 McKinney, TX to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Texas, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 36 movers licensed in Iowa, useful context for sizing up this 664-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to McKinney, TX, 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 $1,647 - $8,523 on the 664-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,114 - $3,618 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $497 - $1,445 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,200 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 Globe Life and SRS Distribution.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to McKinney, TX
How walkable is McKinney?
McKinney has a walkability score of 27 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 42, 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 McKinney?
For families, Provence, Trinity Falls, and Auburn Hills are worth a look in McKinney. If you're moving solo or without kids, Historic Downtown, Trinity Falls, and Adriatic Village tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
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 McKinney run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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.
