($842+) Myrtle Beach, SC to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Myrtle Beach, SC, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $785 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,256 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,239 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 $2,149, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,256 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,322 - $4,352, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $785 - $2,310.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Myrtle Beach, SC, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,816 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 Myrtle Beach, SC to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Myrtle Beach to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,816 - $6,018 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,239 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,239-mile route from Myrtle Beach to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,149 for a studio up to $8,256 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,322 - $4,352 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $785 - $2,310, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,129 - $3,445, 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 Myrtle Beach, SC to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,239-mile move from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $2,149 - $8,256. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $266 - $1,776. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Myrtle Beach and Des Moines. Local movers in Myrtle Beach typically start around $225 as a base rate plus $56/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Myrtle Beach to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,149 - $5,028
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,816 - $6,018
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,573 - $8,256
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 Myrtle Beach to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from South Carolina to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Myrtle Beach, SC to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 80% of Myrtle Beach 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 | $444 - $4,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready80% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $178 - $1,066/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $266 - $2,131 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $888 - $2,664 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,220 - $8,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $665 - $1,264 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $888 - $2,220 |
| Piano | Any piano type70% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $710 - $3,108 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $266 - $1,332 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: A & M Friendly Movers LLC | $577 - $1,776 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $266 - $13,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $266 - $3,108+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Myrtle 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Myrtle Beach, SC, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Myrtle Beach, SC to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,322 and $4,352. 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 Myrtle Beach adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Myrtle Beach to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,322 - $2,356
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,685 - $3,557
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,260 - $4,352
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $67 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $133 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 $622 in Myrtle Beach, SC, 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 South Carolina 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 $1,322. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,685 - $3,557, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Myrtle 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 Myrtle 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 Myrtle Beach:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 28 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.7/5), 0 years in business
- A & M Friendly Movers LLC (3.5/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Myrtle Beach, SC to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 1,239-mile move from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $785 and $2,310. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $350 - $400
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Myrtle Beach daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.69
| 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 Myrtle Beach to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $785 - $1,608
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $849 - $1,783
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,146 - $2,310
Pro tip: The base rate of $785 - $2,310 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Myrtle Beach to Des Moines. Fuel ($350 - $400) , lodging at around $133/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 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 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $622.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $350 - $400 for the 1,239-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 $53 and $289, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $133 per night for hotel stops on the 1,239-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $266 - $400.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Myrtle 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 Myrtle Beach, SC 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 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 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 $1,389 and $2,599.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Myrtle Beach to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,129 - $2,187
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,389 - $2,599
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,901 - $3,445
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $67 and $133.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for roughly five hours typically average $622.
What are the best freight companies from Myrtle Beach to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Sherwood Trucking (4.16/5 stars): Sherwood Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
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: Myrtle Beach, SC vs Des Moines, IA
Day-to-day costs in Des Moines are close to what you're used to in Myrtle Beach: cost of living index of 87 versus 90, with average rent of $1,150/mo compared to $1,850/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 43/100 and 41.94/100 in Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach, SC guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from South Carolina 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 53 movers based in South Carolina, handy for sizing up options on this 1,239-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Myrtle Beach, SC, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,149 for a studio to $8,256 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,239-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,322 - $4,352. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $785 - $2,310, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,816 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Myrtle Beach, SC, to Des Moines, IA
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.
How much does it cost to move from Myrtle Beach, SC to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,149 to $8,256, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,149 and $8,256, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Myrtle Beach, SC 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 $849 - $1,783. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($350 - $400), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $133/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Myrtle Beach, SC to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 percentage of Myrtle Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 70% of movers in Myrtle Beach handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
