($569+) Knoxville, TN to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $569 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,892 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 830 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 $1,808, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,892 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,076 - $3,562, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $569 - $1,484.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Knoxville, TN, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,277 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 Knoxville, TN to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Knoxville 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 $2,277 - $6,121. Containers cost roughly 39% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 72% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 830 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 830-mile route from Knoxville to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,808 - $4,376 | $1,076 - $1,965 | $569 - $1,115 | $958 - $1,786 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,277 - $6,121 | $1,382 - $2,645 | $633 - $1,338 | $1,072 - $2,159 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,978 - $7,892 | $1,838 - $3,562 | $761 - $1,484 | $1,426 - $2,821 |
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 Knoxville, TN to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 830-mile relocation from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,808 and $7,892. 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 $270 - $1,800, 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 Knoxville typically charge a base rate around $170 plus $113 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Knoxville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,808 - $4,376
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,277 - $6,121
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,978 - $7,892
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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville, TN to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 76% of Knoxville 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 packing76% of local movers | $450 - $4,500 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready76% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $180 - $1,080/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $270 - $2,160 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs71% 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 items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Carey Moving & Storage | $900 - $2,250 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $720 - $3,150 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $270 - $1,350 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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 Knoxville to Des Moines?
Iowa Motor Truck Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Iowa, 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 Knoxville, TN. 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 Knoxville, TN to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,076 and $3,562. 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 Knoxville typically runs around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Knoxville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,076 - $1,965
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,382 - $2,645
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,838 - $3,562
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Knoxville, TN 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 $630 in Knoxville, TN, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $68 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $135 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 Tennessee 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 $1,076. 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 $1,382 - $2,645.
What are the best moving containers Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville:
- Gouffon Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 139 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.7/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.8/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Knoxville, TN to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 830 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $569 - $1,484. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $238 - $272
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Knoxville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Knoxville to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $569 - $1,115
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $633 - $1,338
- 4+ bedrooms: $761 - $1,484
Pro tip: A rental truck from Knoxville to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $569 - $1,484. But once you factor in fuel ($238 - $272), overnight lodging ($135/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Knoxville, Tennessee, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $630.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $238 - $272 for the 830-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 $54 and $293, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $135 per night for hotel stops on the 830-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $270 - $405.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Knoxville 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 Knoxville, TN to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Knoxville, Tennessee, 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 $810 and $2,159.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Knoxville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $958 - $1,786
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,072 - $2,159
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,426 - $2,821
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $68 - $135 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Knoxville, Tennessee, typically costs $630.
What are the best freight companies from Knoxville to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Knoxville, TN vs Des Moines, IA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Knoxville and Des Moines to plan around. Cost of living index: 92 vs. 87. Average rent: $1,795/mo vs. $1,150/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 31 vs. 45. Safety index: 57.46 vs. 57.8.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Knoxville, TN guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee 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 213 movers based in Tennessee, handy for sizing up options on this 830-mile route.
Our take
A move from Knoxville, TN, to Des Moines, IA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,808 - $7,892 on the 830-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,076 - $3,562, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $569 - $1,484. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,277 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Knoxville, TN, 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 ($238 - $272), 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 walkable is Des Moines?
Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 31 and 30 in Knoxville. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Knoxville, TN to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $569 to $7,892, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,808 and $7,892, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Knoxville, TN 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 Knoxville?
Local movers based in Knoxville typically start around $170 as a base rate, plus $113/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.
What percentage of Knoxville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in Knoxville handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.