($742+) Des Moines, IA to Greensboro, NC Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Greensboro, NC, runs anywhere from $707 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,393 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,037 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 $2,350, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,393 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,243 - $4,238, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $707 - $1,902.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Greensboro, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,665 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 Des Moines, IA to Greensboro, NC
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Greensboro: 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 $2,665 - $6,507. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,037 miles, expect 2 to 8 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 1,037-mile route from Des Moines to Greensboro, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,350 - $5,190 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,243 - $2,178), rental truck ($707 - $1,287), or freight trailer ($1,108 - $2,123). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,665 - $6,507 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,393.
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 Des Moines, IA to Greensboro, NC
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Greensboro, North Carolina, costs between $2,350 and $8,393. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,037-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $257 - $1,716, 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 Des Moines and Greensboro. For a rough baseline, movers based in Des Moines tend to start around $737 plus $142/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 Des Moines to Greensboro:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,350 - $5,190
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,665 - $6,507
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,656 - $8,393
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 Des Moines to Greensboro.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to North Carolina. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Des Moines, IA to Greensboro, NC
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Greensboro, 89% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $429 - $4,290 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $172 - $1,030/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $257 - $2,059 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $858 - $2,574 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,145 - $8,580 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $643 - $1,221 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $858 - $2,145 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $686 - $3,003 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $257 - $1,287 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $558 - $1,716 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $257 - $12,870+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $257 - $3,003+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Greensboro?
Movers licensed to operate in North Carolina are typically members of the North Carolina Movers 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Des Moines, IA. 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 Des Moines, IA to Greensboro, NC
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Greensboro, North Carolina, cost between $1,243 and $4,238. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Des Moines typically costs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Greensboro:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,243 - $2,178
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,552 - $3,219
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,073 - $4,238
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 $129 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Greensboro, NC, 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 $601 in Des Moines, IA. 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 Iowa to North Carolina 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 $1,243. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,552 - $3,219, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Greensboro?
- 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 29 years in business
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Greensboro, NC
Renting a moving truck for the 1,037-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Greensboro, North Carolina, costs between $707 and $1,902, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $283 - $324
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Des Moines daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $1.19
| 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 Des Moines to Greensboro based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $707 - $1,287
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $771 - $1,611
- 4+ bedrooms: $958 - $1,902
Pro tip: The base rate of $707 - $1,902 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Des Moines to Greensboro. Fuel ($283 - $324) , lodging at around $129/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $129 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $56 and $279 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $283 - $324 in fuel for the 1,037-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $601 in Des Moines, Iowa, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Greensboro?
- 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 Des Moines, IA to Greensboro, NC
If you're moving a larger household from Des Moines, Iowa, 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 Greensboro, North Carolina.
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 $1,267 and $2,524.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Greensboro:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,108 - $2,123
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,267 - $2,524
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,795 - $3,457
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $64 - $129 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 Des Moines, Iowa, typically costs $601.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Greensboro?
- 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.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Des Moines to Greensboro, 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: Des Moines, IA vs Greensboro, NC
Des Moines and Greensboro land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 87 in Des Moines and 84 in Greensboro, and rent tracks closely too ($1,150/mo vs. $1,395/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (45 vs 29) and safety scores (57.8 vs 54.09) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Greensboro, NC to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Iowa to North Carolina, 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 36 movers in Iowa, so you have real options to compare for this 1,037-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,037-mile route from Des Moines, IA, to Greensboro, NC, run $2,350 - $8,393 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,243 - $4,238, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $707 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,665, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Greensboro tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though miserable weather and boredom come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Guilford County Schools and Cone Health.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Greensboro, NC
What do local movers charge in Des Moines?
Local movers based in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate, plus $142/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 Greensboro run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Greensboro, NC?
Costs on this route range from around $2,350 to $8,393, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,350 and $8,393, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Greensboro, NC?
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 $771 - $1,611. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($283 - $324), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $129/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
