($782+) Virginia Beach, VA to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $782 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,637 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,217 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 $2,062, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,637 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,173 - $4,147, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $782 - $2,121.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Virginia Beach, VA, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,434 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Virginia Beach 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 $2,434 - $5,705. Moving containers run about 33% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 65% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,217-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 1,217-mile route from Virginia Beach to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,062 - $4,547 | $1,173 - $2,315 | $782 - $1,420 | $1,168 - $2,125 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,434 - $5,705 | $1,624 - $3,131 | $854 - $1,773 | $1,312 - $2,428 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,389 - $7,637 | $2,069 - $4,147 | $971 - $2,121 | $1,759 - $3,486 |
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 Virginia Beach, VA to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,217-mile move from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $2,062 - $7,637. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $293 - $1,956. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Virginia Beach and Des Moines. Local movers in Virginia Beach typically start around $183 as a base rate plus $97/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Virginia Beach to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,062 - $4,547
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,434 - $5,705
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,389 - $7,637
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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Virginia Beach 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 packing67% of local movers | $489 - $4,890 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $196 - $1,174/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,347 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $978 - $2,934 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,445 - $9,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $733 - $1,392 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items23% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $978 - $2,445 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $782 - $3,423 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $293 - $1,467 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $636 - $1,956 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $293 - $14,670+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $293 - $3,423+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Virginia Beach to Des Moines?
Look for Iowa Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Iowa beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Virginia Beach, VA. 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,173 and $4,147. 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 Virginia Beach typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Virginia Beach to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,173 - $2,315
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,624 - $3,131
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,069 - $4,147
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Virginia Beach, VA 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 $685 in Virginia Beach, VA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $73 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $147 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 Virginia 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 $1,173. 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 $1,624 - $3,131.
What are the best moving containers Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 12 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
- Southside Moving and Storage (3.8/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $782 - $2,121 for a rental moving truck on the 1,217-mile route from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $379 - $433
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Virginia Beach daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Virginia Beach to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $782 - $1,420
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $854 - $1,773
- 4+ bedrooms: $971 - $2,121
Pro tip: A rental truck from Virginia Beach to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $782 - $2,121. But once you factor in fuel ($379 - $433), overnight lodging ($147/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $73 and $342.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $147.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $379 and $433 for the 1,217-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $685 for 2 movers in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Des Moines, IA
For larger DIY moves from Virginia Beach, Virginia, 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 $1,312 and $2,428.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Virginia Beach to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,168 - $2,125
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,312 - $2,428
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,759 - $3,486
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?
- 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 $73 - $147 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for about five hours typically runs $685.
What are the best freight companies from Virginia Beach 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Des Moines fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Virginia Beach, VA vs Des Moines, IA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Des Moines, side by side with Virginia Beach on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Virginia Beach, VA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 105 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,950/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $366,324 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $90,685/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 33/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 58.0/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Virginia Beach, VA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia 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 304 movers in our Virginia network to compare for this 1,217-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Virginia Beach, VA, to Des Moines, IA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,062 - $7,637 on the 1,217-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,173 - $4,147 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $782 - $2,121 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,434 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Virginia Beach, VA, to Des Moines, IA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Virginia Beach, VA 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 Virginia Beach?
Local movers based in Virginia Beach typically start around $183 as a base rate, plus $97/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 long does a move from Virginia Beach, VA to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
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 is the cheapest way to move from Virginia Beach, VA 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 $854 - $1,773. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Virginia Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Virginia Beach handle piano moves, and 23% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.