($635+) Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Baltimore, MD, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $635 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,688 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,019 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $1,925, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,688 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,128 - $3,764, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $635 - $1,762.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Baltimore, MD, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,421 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Baltimore 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 $2,421 - $5,415 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 41% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 70% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,019 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,019-mile route from Baltimore to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,925 for a studio up to $7,688 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,128 - $3,764 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $635 - $1,762, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,037 - $3,074, 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 Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA
For the 1,019-mile move from Baltimore, Maryland, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $1,925 and $7,688. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $272 - $1,812 (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 Baltimore generally start around $263 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Baltimore to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,925 - $4,603
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,421 - $5,415
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,928 - $7,688
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 Baltimore 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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Baltimore 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 packing77% of local movers | $453 - $4,530 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $181 - $1,087/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $272 - $2,174 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $906 - $2,718 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,265 - $9,060 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $679 - $1,289 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $906 - $2,265 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $725 - $3,171 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $272 - $1,359 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Von Paris Moving & Storage | $589 - $1,812 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $272 - $13,590+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $272 - $3,171+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Baltimore 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Baltimore, MD. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Baltimore, Maryland, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,128 and $3,764. 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 Baltimore adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Baltimore to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,128 - $2,165
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,423 - $3,070
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,040 - $3,764
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 Baltimore, MD, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $634, 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 $136 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Baltimore, MD, 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 Maryland 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 $1,128. 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 $1,423 - $3,070.
What are the best moving containers Baltimore 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 16 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 15 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,019 miles from Baltimore, Maryland, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $635 - $1,762. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $294 - $336
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Baltimore daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $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 Baltimore to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $635 - $1,232
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $729 - $1,567
- 4+ bedrooms: $907 - $1,762
Pro tip: A rental truck from Baltimore to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $635 - $1,762. But once you factor in fuel ($294 - $336), overnight lodging ($136/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $294 - $336 for the 1,019-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 Baltimore, Maryland, for about 5 hours typically costs around $634.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,019-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $136 per night, adding $272 - $408 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $45 and $272.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Baltimore 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 Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Baltimore, Maryland, to Des Moines, Iowa. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,186 and $2,503.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Baltimore to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,037 - $1,948
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,186 - $2,503
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,600 - $3,074
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $68 and $136.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Baltimore, Maryland, for roughly five hours typically average $634.
What are the best freight companies from Baltimore 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: Baltimore, MD vs Des Moines, IA
Baltimore and Des Moines land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 93 in Baltimore and 87 in Des Moines, and average rent is $1,600/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 64 vs 45 and safety scores are 27.28 vs 57.8.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Maryland to Iowa, 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 206 movers in Maryland, so you have real options to compare for this 1,019-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Baltimore, MD, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,925 for a studio to $7,688 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,019-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,128 - $3,764. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $635 - $1,762, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,421 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Baltimore, MD, to Des Moines, IA
How much does it cost to move from Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $635 to $7,688, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,925 and $7,688, 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 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.
What do local movers charge in Baltimore?
Local movers based in Baltimore typically start around $263 as a base rate, plus $110/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 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 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 percentage of Baltimore movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Baltimore handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.