($522+) Dallas, TX to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Dallas, TX, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $522 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,664 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 698 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 $1,450, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,664 or more.
- Moving containers run $993 - $3,467, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $522 - $1,336.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Dallas, TX, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,258 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 Dallas, TX to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Dallas to Des Moines: 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 $2,258 - $5,275. Containers cost roughly 40% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 77% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 698 miles, expect 1 to 6 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 698-mile route from Dallas to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,450 - $4,044 | $993 - $1,855 | $522 - $957 | $875 - $1,687 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,258 - $5,275 | $1,353 - $2,441 | $530 - $1,159 | $1,083 - $2,035 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,752 - $7,664 | $1,723 - $3,467 | $675 - $1,336 | $1,476 - $2,695 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Dallas, TX to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 698-mile relocation from Dallas, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,450 and $7,664. 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 $284 - $1,896, 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 Dallas typically charge a base rate around $179 plus $60 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Dallas to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,450 - $4,044
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,258 - $5,275
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,752 - $7,664
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 Dallas 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 Dallas, TX to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Dallas movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $474 - $4,740 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $190 - $1,138/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $284 - $2,275 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $948 - $2,844 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,370 - $9,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $710 - $1,349 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: AM Moving Company LLC | $948 - $2,370 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $758 - $3,318 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $284 - $1,422 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $616 - $1,896 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $284 - $14,220+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $284 - $3,318+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Dallas 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Dallas, TX. 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 Dallas, TX to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Dallas, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $993 and $3,467. 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 Dallas runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Dallas to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $993 - $1,855
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,353 - $2,441
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,723 - $3,467
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $71 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $142 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 $664 in Dallas, TX, 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 Des Moines, IA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas 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 $993. 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 $1,353 - $2,441.
What are the best moving containers Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas:
- AB Moving (4.5/5), 26 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Dallas, TX to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Dallas, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $522 - $1,336 for the 698-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $211 - $241
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Dallas daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Dallas to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $522 - $957
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $530 - $1,159
- 4+ bedrooms: $675 - $1,336
Pro tip: A rental truck from Dallas to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $522 - $1,336. But once you factor in fuel ($211 - $241), overnight lodging ($142/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Dallas, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $664.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $211 - $241 for the 698-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 $308, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $142 per night for hotel stops on the 698-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $284 - $427.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Dallas 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 Dallas, TX to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Dallas, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $853 and $2,035.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Dallas to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $875 - $1,687
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,083 - $2,035
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,476 - $2,695
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?
- 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 $71 - $142 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Dallas, Texas, for about five hours typically runs $664.
What are the best freight companies from Dallas 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Dallas to Des Moines. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Dallas, TX vs Des Moines, IA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Dallas and Des Moines to plan around. Cost of living index: 100 vs. 87. Average rent: $1,774/mo vs. $1,150/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 46 vs. 45. Safety index: 48.6 vs. 57.8.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Dallas, TX guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Iowa in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 803 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 698-mile route.
Our take
A move from Dallas, TX, to Des Moines, IA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,450 - $7,664 on the 698-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $993 - $3,467, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $522 - $1,336. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,258 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Dallas, TX, to Des Moines, IA
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.
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 do local movers charge in Dallas?
Local movers based in Dallas typically start around $179 as a base rate, plus $60/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 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 4 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 Dallas, TX to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $522 to $7,664, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,450 and $7,664, 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 percentage of Dallas movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Dallas handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.