($829+) Des Moines, IA to Providence, RI Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Providence, RI, runs anywhere from $829 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,504 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,294 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,208, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,504 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,318 - $4,497, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $829 - $2,229.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Providence, RI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,785 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 Providence, RI
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Providence: 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 $2,785 - $6,602. Containers cost roughly 42% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 69% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,294 miles, expect 3 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 1,294-mile route from Des Moines to Providence, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,208 - $4,714 | $1,318 - $2,476 | $829 - $1,476 | $1,197 - $2,207 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,785 - $6,602 | $1,602 - $3,223 | $853 - $1,864 | $1,333 - $2,710 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,977 - $8,504 | $2,304 - $4,497 | $1,072 - $2,229 | $1,701 - $3,388 |
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 Des Moines, IA to Providence, RI
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Providence, Rhode Island, costs between $2,208 and $8,504. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,294-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $287 - $1,916, 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 Providence. 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 Providence:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,208 - $4,714
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,785 - $6,602
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,977 - $8,504
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 Providence.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Providence, RI
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Providence, 79% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $479 - $4,790 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $192 - $1,150/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $287 - $2,299 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $958 - $2,874 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,395 - $9,580 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $718 - $1,363 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $958 - $2,395 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $766 - $3,353 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $287 - $1,437 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $623 - $1,916 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $287 - $14,370+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $287 - $3,353+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Providence?
- 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Des Moines, IA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Providence, RI
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Providence, Rhode Island, cost between $1,318 and $4,497. 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 Providence:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,318 - $2,476
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,602 - $3,223
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,304 - $4,497
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $72 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $144 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $671 in Des Moines, IA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Providence, RI, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Rhode Island 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 $1,318. 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 $1,602 - $3,223.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Providence?
- 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:
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- The Approved Movers (4.8/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Providence, RI
Plan on $829 - $2,229 for a rental moving truck on the 1,294-mile route from Des Moines, Iowa, to Providence, Rhode Island. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $394 - $451
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- 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 Providence based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $829 - $1,476
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $853 - $1,864
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,072 - $2,229
Pro tip: The base rate of $829 - $2,229 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Des Moines to Providence. Fuel ($394 - $451), lodging at around $144/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $671.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $394 - $451 for the 1,294-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $57 and $311, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $144 per night for hotel stops on the 1,294-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $287 - $431.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Providence?
- 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 Providence, RI
For larger DIY moves from Des Moines, Iowa, 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 Providence, Rhode Island.
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 $1,333 and $2,710.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Providence:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,197 - $2,207
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,333 - $2,710
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,701 - $3,388
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Des Moines, Iowa, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $671.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $72 - $144 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Providence?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Des Moines to Providence, 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 Providence, RI
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Providence, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Providence, RI |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 109 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $2,200/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $323,365 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $66,772/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 8.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | Up to 5.99% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 76/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 50.16/100 |
| 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 Providence, RI to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Rhode Island, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 67 movers licensed in Iowa, useful context for sizing up this 1,294-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to Providence, RI, 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 $2,208 - $8,504 on the 1,294-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,318 - $4,497 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $829 - $2,229 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,785 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 Textron and United Natural Foods.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Providence, RI
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 Providence run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC) is responsible for providing regulation and oversight of the moving and storage industry. The state maintains a database of licensed movers, though some information may not be current. To verify that the movers you’re considering are licensed, insured, and authorized to provide relocation services without the state, check the above link and call (401) 780-9700.
What are the best neighborhoods in Providence?
For families, Blackstone, Wayland, and College Hill are worth a look in Providence. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Elmhurst, and Federal Hill tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Providence?
Providence has a walkability score of 76 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 61, compared to 45 and 39 in Des Moines. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Providence a safe place to live?
Providence has a safety index of 50.16 out of 100 and a crime index of 49.84, compared to 57.8 and 5.0 in Des Moines. 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 Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 12% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.