($578+) Pittsburgh, PA to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Pittsburgh, PA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $578 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,829 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 779 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 $1,640, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,829 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,120 - $3,444, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $578 - $1,567.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Pittsburgh, PA, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,307 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 Pittsburgh, PA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Pittsburgh to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,307 - $5,374 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 38% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 75% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 779 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 779-mile route from Pittsburgh to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,640 for a studio up to $7,829 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,120 - $3,444 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $578 - $1,567, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $931 - $2,783, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Pittsburgh, PA to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,640 and $7,829. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 779-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $270 - $1,800, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Pittsburgh and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Pittsburgh tend to start around $185 plus $75/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Pittsburgh to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,640 - $4,248
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,307 - $5,374
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,985 - $7,829
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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh, PA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Pittsburgh movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $450 - $4,500 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Don Farr Moving & Storage | $180 - $1,080/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $270 - $2,160 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $900 - $2,700 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,250 - $9,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $674 - $1,281 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items15% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Diversity Moving Company | $900 - $2,250 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Don Farr Moving & Storage | $720 - $3,150 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling5% of local movers | $270 - $1,350 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Diversity Moving Company | $585 - $1,800 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $270 - $13,500+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $270 - $3,150+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Pittsburgh to Des Moines?
Look for Iowa Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Iowa beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Pittsburgh, PA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Pittsburgh, PA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,120 and $3,444. 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 Pittsburgh runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Pittsburgh to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,120 - $1,885
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,426 - $2,615
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,784 - $3,444
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Pittsburgh, PA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $630, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $68 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $135 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Pittsburgh, PA, and Des Moines, IA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Pennsylvania 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 $1,120. 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 $1,426 - $2,615.
What are the best moving containers Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh:
- Diversity Moving Company (4.9/5), 16 years in business
- Miracle Movers (4.3/5), 7 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.3/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Pittsburgh, PA to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 779-mile move from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $578 and $1,567. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $223 - $255
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Pittsburgh daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Pittsburgh to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $578 - $1,026
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $577 - $1,194
- 4+ bedrooms: $744 - $1,567
Pro tip: The base rate of $578 - $1,567 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Pittsburgh to Des Moines. Fuel ($223 - $255), lodging at around $135/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $223 - $255 for the 779-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for about 5 hours typically costs around $630.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 779-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $135 per night, adding $270 - $405 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $45 and $270.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh, PA to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 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 Des Moines, Iowa.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,141 and $2,156.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Pittsburgh to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $931 - $1,662
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,141 - $2,156
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,486 - $2,783
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $630.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $68 - $135 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh 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: Pittsburgh, PA vs Des Moines, IA
Pittsburgh and Des Moines land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 92 in Pittsburgh and 87 in Des Moines, and average rent is $1,500/mo vs. $1,150/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 62 vs 45 and safety scores are 62.26 vs 57.8.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Pittsburgh, PA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to Iowa 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 235 movers based in Pennsylvania, handy for sizing up options on this 779-mile route.
Our take
The 779-mile move from Pittsburgh, PA, to Des Moines, IA, costs between $1,640 and $7,829 with full-service movers, $1,120 - $3,444 with a moving container, and $578 - $1,567 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 $2,307 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 MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Pittsburgh, PA, to Des Moines, IA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($223 - $255), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $135/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Iowa?
When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements.
What is the best time of year to move from Pittsburgh, PA 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 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Des Moines a safe place to live?
Des Moines has a safety index of 57.8 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 62.26 and 37.74 in Pittsburgh. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Pittsburgh movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Pittsburgh handle piano moves, and 15% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.