($675+) Des Moines, IA to Richmond, VA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Richmond, VA, runs anywhere from $675 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,062 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,111 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 $2,126, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,062 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,133 - $4,053, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $675 - $1,994.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Richmond, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,631 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 Richmond, VA
Moving options from Des Moines to Richmond fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,631 - $5,930 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 40% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 71% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,111 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 1,111-mile route from Des Moines to Richmond, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,126 - $4,979 | $1,133 - $2,316 | $675 - $1,298 | $1,116 - $2,084 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,631 - $5,930 | $1,582 - $3,132 | $768 - $1,590 | $1,290 - $2,407 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,567 - $8,062 | $2,117 - $4,053 | $946 - $1,994 | $1,711 - $3,340 |
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 Richmond, VA
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Richmond, Virginia, costs between $2,126 and $8,062. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,111-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $271 - $1,804, 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 Richmond. 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 Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,126 - $4,979
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,631 - $5,930
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,567 - $8,062
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 Richmond.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Virginia. 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 Des Moines, IA to Richmond, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Richmond, 65% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $451 - $4,510 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $180 - $1,082/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $271 - $2,165 |
| 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 | $902 - $2,706 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,255 - $9,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $676 - $1,284 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $902 - $2,255 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $722 - $3,157 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $271 - $1,353 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $586 - $1,804 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $271 - $13,530+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $271 - $3,157+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Richmond?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Des Moines, IA, 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 Des Moines, IA to Richmond, VA
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $1,133 and $4,053. 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 Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,133 - $2,316
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,582 - $3,132
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,117 - $4,053
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 Des Moines, IA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $631, 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 $68 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $135 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Des Moines, IA, and Richmond, VA, 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 Iowa to Virginia 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 $1,133. 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 $1,582 - $3,132.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Richmond?
- 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 Richmond, VA
A rental truck for this 1,111-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Richmond, Virginia, costs between $675 and $1,994. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $319 - $364
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- 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 Richmond based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $675 - $1,298
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $768 - $1,590
- 4+ bedrooms: $946 - $1,994
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $675 - $1,994 when pricing out a rental truck from Des Moines to Richmond. Fuel alone runs $319 - $364, and overnight lodging ($135/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $631.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $319 - $364 for the 1,111-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 $54 and $293, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $135 per night for hotel stops on the 1,111-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $271 - $406.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Richmond?
- 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 Richmond, VA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Richmond, Virginia, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,290 and $2,407.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,116 - $2,084
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,290 - $2,407
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,711 - $3,340
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $68 - $135 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, typically costs $631.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Richmond?
- 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.
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 Richmond 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: Des Moines, IA vs Richmond, VA
Day-to-day costs in Richmond are close to what you're used to in Des Moines: cost of living index of 95 versus 87, with average rent of $1,595/mo compared to $1,150/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines versus 51/100 and 51.55/100 in Richmond.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Richmond, VA 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 Virginia, 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 1,111-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Des Moines, IA, to Richmond, VA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,126 for a studio to $8,062 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,111-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,133 - $4,053. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $675 - $1,994, 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 $2,631 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 Brink's and CarMax.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Richmond, VA
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.
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 Richmond run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Virginia?
In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV).
What are the best neighborhoods in Richmond?
For families, Bellevue, Byrd Park, and Museum District are worth a look in Richmond. If you're moving solo or without kids, Monroe Ward, The Fan District, and The Museum District tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Richmond?
Richmond has a walkability score of 51 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 51, 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.
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.