($459+) Nashville, TN to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Nashville, TN, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $459 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,195 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 656 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,478, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,195 or more.
- Moving containers run $971 - $3,120, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $459 - $1,285.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Nashville, TN, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,204 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 Nashville, TN to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Nashville 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 $2,204 - $5,329. Moving containers run about 41% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 76% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 656-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 656-mile route from Nashville to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,478 - $4,147 | $971 - $1,793 | $459 - $895 | $856 - $1,712 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,204 - $5,329 | $1,310 - $2,558 | $526 - $1,095 | $1,048 - $1,946 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,109 - $8,195 | $1,700 - $3,120 | $618 - $1,285 | $1,361 - $2,652 |
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 Nashville, TN to Des Moines, IA
For the 656-mile move from Nashville, Tennessee, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $1,478 and $8,195. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $293 - $1,956 (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 Nashville generally start around $275 plus $120 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Nashville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,478 - $4,147
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,204 - $5,329
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,109 - $8,195
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 Nashville to Des Moines.
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.
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Specialty moving services from Nashville, TN to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Nashville 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 packing78% of local movers | $489 - $4,890 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $196 - $1,174/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,347 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% 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: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $978 - $2,445 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $782 - $3,423 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $293 - $1,467 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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 Nashville 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 Nashville, TN. 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 Nashville, TN to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Nashville, Tennessee, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $971 and $3,120. 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 Nashville typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Nashville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $971 - $1,793
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,310 - $2,558
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,700 - $3,120
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 Nashville, TN, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $685, 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 $73 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $147 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Nashville, TN, 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 Tennessee 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 $971. 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 $1,310 - $2,558.
What are the best moving containers Nashville 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 Nashville 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 Nashville:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.7/5), 15 years in business
- Good Guys Moving & Delivery (4.7/5), 13 years in business
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.5/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Nashville, TN to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 656 miles from Nashville, Tennessee, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $459 - $1,285. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $204 - $233
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Nashville 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 Nashville to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $459 - $895
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $526 - $1,095
- 4+ bedrooms: $618 - $1,285
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $459 - $1,285 when pricing out a rental truck from Nashville to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $204 - $233, and overnight lodging ($147/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?
- 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 $204 and $233 for the 656-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 Nashville, Tennessee, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Nashville 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 Nashville, TN to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Nashville, Tennessee, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,048 and $1,946.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Nashville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $856 - $1,712
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,048 - $1,946
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,361 - $2,652
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 Nashville, Tennessee, for about five hours typically runs $685.
What are the best freight companies from Nashville to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
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: Nashville, TN 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 Nashville on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Nashville, TN | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 105 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,971/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $382,847 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $75,197/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 96/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 50.9/100 | 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 Nashville, TN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee 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 213 movers in our Tennessee network to compare for this 656-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Nashville, TN, 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 $1,478 - $8,195 on the 656-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $971 - $3,120 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $459 - $1,285 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,204 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 Nashville, TN, to Des Moines, IA
How much does it cost to move from Nashville, TN to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $459 to $8,195, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,478 and $8,195, 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.
How walkable is Des Moines?
Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 96 and 72 in Nashville. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($204 - $233), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $147/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 Nashville, TN 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 percentage of Nashville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in Nashville handle piano moves, and 23% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.