($700+) Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Winston-Salem, NC, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $666 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,591 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,121, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,591 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,268 - $4,108, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $666 - $1,827.
- 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 $2,438 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 Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Winston-Salem to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,438 - $5,793 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,012 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
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:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,121 - $4,825 with full-service movers, $1,268 - $2,223 with a container, $666 - $1,316 with a rental truck, or $1,042 - $1,960 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,438 - $5,793 full-service, $1,585 - $2,966 by container, $779 - $1,642 by rental truck, or $1,255 - $2,522 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,281 - $7,591 full-service, $2,159 - $4,108 by container, $988 - $1,827 by rental truck, or $1,625 - $3,220 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 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 $2,121 and $7,591. 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: $2,121 - $4,825
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,438 - $5,793
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,281 - $7,591
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from North Carolina to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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 Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of Winston-Salem movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing95% of local movers | $426 - $4,260 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% 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 coverage45% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% 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 items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: American Moving & Hauling, Inc. | $852 - $2,130 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: American Moving & Hauling, Inc. | $682 - $2,982 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling40% of local movers | $256 - $1,278 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: American Moving & Hauling, Inc. | $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?
Movers licensed to operate in Iowa are typically members of the Iowa Motor Truck 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 Winston-Salem, NC. 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 Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,268 and $4,108. 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 Winston-Salem runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Winston-Salem to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,268 - $2,223
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,585 - $2,966
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,159 - $4,108
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 $1,268. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,585 - $2,966, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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
- Todd’s Easy Moves (4.5/5), 39 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,012 miles from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $666 - $1,827. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- 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: $666 - $1,316
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $779 - $1,642
- 4+ bedrooms: $988 - $1,827
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $666 - $1,827 does not include fuel ($274 - $314) , lodging ($128/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Winston-Salem to Des Moines typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $128 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, usually costs about $596 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,012-mile drive falls between $274 and $314, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $43 and $256 to your total.
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
If you're moving a larger household from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 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. Most moves on this route fall between $1,255 and $2,522.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Winston-Salem to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,042 - $1,960
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,255 - $2,522
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,625 - $3,220
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 the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Salem Carriers, Inc. (4.62/5 stars): Salem Carriers, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Des Moines quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Winston-Salem, NC vs Des Moines, IA
Good news for your budget: Des Moines isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Winston-Salem. Cost of living index runs 87 there against 84 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 22/100 and 67.33/100 here versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Winston-Salem, NC guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Iowa over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 117 movers in our North Carolina network to compare for this 1,012-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,012-mile route from Winston-Salem, NC, to Des Moines, IA, run $2,121 - $7,591 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,268 - $4,108, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $666 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,438, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $779 - $1,642. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,121 to $7,591, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,121 and $7,591, 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 3 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 Winston-Salem?
Local movers based in Winston-Salem typically start around $272 as a base rate, plus $85/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 Winston-Salem movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Winston-Salem handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
