($634+) Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Winston-Salem, NC, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $634 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,455 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,012 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 $2,021, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,455 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,196 - $3,719, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $634 - $1,777.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Winston-Salem, NC, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,370 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 Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Winston-Salem 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 $2,370 - $5,858. Moving containers run about 34% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 69% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,012-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 1,012-mile route from Winston-Salem to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,021 - $4,281, container $1,196 - $2,118, rental truck $634 - $1,291, freight trailer $1,066 - $1,810.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,370 - $5,858, container $1,554 - $3,033, rental truck $735 - $1,475, freight trailer $1,148 - $2,450.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,884 - $7,455, container $1,936 - $3,719, rental truck $870 - $1,777, freight trailer $1,613 - $2,975.
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 Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 1,012-mile relocation from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $2,021 and $7,455. 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 $256 - $1,704, 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 Winston-Salem typically charge a base rate around $272 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Winston-Salem to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,021 - $4,281
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,370 - $5,858
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,884 - $7,455
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 Winston-Salem to Des Moines.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Winston-Salem 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 packing68% of local movers | $426 - $4,260 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: American Moving & Hauling, Inc. | $170 - $1,022/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $256 - $2,045 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $852 - $2,556 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,130 - $8,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $638 - $1,212 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items21% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: American Moving & Hauling, Inc. | $852 - $2,130 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: American Moving & Hauling, Inc. | $682 - $2,982 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling12% of local movers | $256 - $1,278 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect19% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $554 - $1,704 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $256 - $12,780+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $256 - $2,982+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Winston-Salem to Des Moines?
All three below meet the standards set by the Iowa Motor Truck Association, the group most Iowa movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Winston-Salem, NC. 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 Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,196 and $3,719. 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 Winston-Salem typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Winston-Salem to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,196 - $2,118
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,554 - $3,033
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,936 - $3,719
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $64 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $128 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Des Moines, IA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $596 in Winston-Salem, NC. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina 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 $1,196. 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 $1,554 - $3,033.
What are the best moving containers Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem:
- American Moving & Hauling, Inc. (4.8/5), 20 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 31 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $634 - $1,777 for the 1,012-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $274 - $314
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Winston-Salem daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.89
| 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 Winston-Salem to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $634 - $1,291
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $735 - $1,475
- 4+ bedrooms: $870 - $1,777
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $634 - $1,777 when pricing out a rental truck from Winston-Salem to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $274 - $314, and overnight lodging ($128/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $274 - $314 for the 1,012-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 Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for about 5 hours typically costs around $596.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,012-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $128 per night, adding $256 - $383 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $43 and $256.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA
For larger DIY moves from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Des Moines, Iowa.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,148 and $2,450.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Winston-Salem to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,066 - $1,810
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,148 - $2,450
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,613 - $2,975
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $64 - $128 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for about five hours typically runs $596.
What are the best freight companies from Winston-Salem to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Winston-Salem to Des Moines. 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: Winston-Salem, NC vs Des Moines, IA
Winston-Salem and Des Moines land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 84 in Winston-Salem and 87 in Des Moines, and average rent is $1,300/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 22 vs 45 and safety scores are 67.33 vs 57.8.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Winston-Salem, NC guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina 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. North Carolina alone has 313 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,012-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Winston-Salem, NC, 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 $2,021 - $7,455 on the 1,012-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,196 - $3,719, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $634 - $1,777. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,370 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 Winston-Salem, NC, 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 ($274 - $314), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $128/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 Winston-Salem, NC 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 67.33 and 32.67 in Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Winston-Salem handle piano moves, and 21% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.