($492+) Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Cleveland, OH, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $497 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,944 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 661 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 $1,663, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,944 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,008 - $3,377, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $497 - $1,308.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Cleveland, OH, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,384 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 Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Cleveland to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,384 - $5,828 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 661 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 661-mile route from Cleveland to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,663 for a studio up to $8,944 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,008 - $3,377 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $497 - $1,308, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $974 - $2,647, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 661-mile move from Cleveland, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $1,663 - $8,944. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $254 - $1,692. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Cleveland and Des Moines. Local movers in Cleveland typically start around $185 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Cleveland to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,663 - $4,352
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,384 - $5,828
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,983 - $8,944
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 Cleveland to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Ohio to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Cleveland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $423 - $4,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Leaders Moving & Storage Co. | $169 - $1,015/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $254 - $2,030 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage29% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs36% of local movers | $846 - $2,538 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,115 - $8,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $634 - $1,204 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items39% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Move For Less, LLC | $846 - $2,115 |
| Piano | Any piano type61% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Bright Eyed Moving | $677 - $2,961 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $254 - $1,269 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Berger Allied Moving & Storage | $550 - $1,692 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $254 - $12,690+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $254 - $2,961+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Cleveland to Des Moines?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Iowa Motor Truck Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Cleveland, OH. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Cleveland, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,008 and $3,377. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Des Moines. If you go over that window, storage in Cleveland adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Cleveland to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,008 - $1,901
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,389 - $2,632
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,803 - $3,377
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 Cleveland, OH, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $592, 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 $63 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $127 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Cleveland, OH, 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 Ohio 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 $1,008. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,389 - $2,632, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland:
- Move For Less, LLC (4.4/5), 16 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- A to Z Moving and Driving, LLC (4.7/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Cleveland, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $497 - $1,308 for the 661-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $178 - $203
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Cleveland 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 Cleveland to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $497 - $958
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $575 - $1,092
- 4+ bedrooms: $683 - $1,308
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $497 - $1,308 when pricing out a rental truck from Cleveland to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs ($178 - $203) , and overnight lodging ($127/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate 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 $63 and $296.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $127.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $178 and $203 for the 661-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 $592 for 2 movers in Cleveland, Ohio, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Cleveland 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 Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Cleveland, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,068 and $2,169.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Cleveland to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $974 - $1,780
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,068 - $2,169
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,501 - $2,647
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Cleveland, Ohio, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $592.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $63 and $127 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Cleveland to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Miller Transfer (4.84/5 stars): Miller Transfer is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Des Moines quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Cleveland, OH vs Des Moines, IA
Day-to-day costs in Des Moines are close to what you're used to in Cleveland: cost of living index of 87 versus 83, with average rent of $1,150/mo compared to $1,295/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 57/100 and 36.59/100 in Cleveland versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Cleveland, OH guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Ohio to Iowa, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Ohio alone has 103 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 661-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 661-mile move from Cleveland, OH, to Des Moines, IA, costs between $1,663 and $8,944 with full-service movers, $1,008 - $3,377 with a moving container, and $497 - $1,308 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,384 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Cleveland, OH, to Des Moines, IA
Is Des Moines a safe place to live?
Des Moines has a safety index of 57.8 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 36.59 and 63.41 in Cleveland. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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.
What is the best time of year to move from Cleveland, OH 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.
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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($178 - $203), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $127/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Cleveland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 61% of movers in Cleveland handle piano moves, and 39% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
