($708+) Des Moines, IA to Richmond, VA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Richmond, VA, runs anywhere from $708 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,548 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,367, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,548 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,239 - $4,254, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $708 - $2,012.
- 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 $2,651 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. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,651 - $6,811 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,111-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
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 | $2,367 - $5,176 | $1,239 - $2,268 | $708 - $1,433 | $1,161 - $1,999 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,651 - $6,811 | $1,580 - $3,092 | $790 - $1,770 | $1,276 - $2,604 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,704 - $8,548 | $2,245 - $4,254 | $1,023 - $2,012 | $1,814 - $3,576 |
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 Des Moines, IA to Richmond, VA
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Richmond, Virginia, costs between $2,367 and $8,548. 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: $2,367 - $5,176
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,651 - $6,811
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,704 - $8,548
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: 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 Richmond, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Richmond, 89% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $451 - $4,510 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% 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 coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% 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 items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $902 - $2,255 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $722 - $3,157 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $271 - $1,353 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $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?
All three below meet the standards set by the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Virginia 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 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 $1,239 and $4,254. 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 Des Moines runs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,239 - $2,268
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,580 - $3,092
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,245 - $4,254
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $68 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $135 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 $631 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 Richmond, VA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,239. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,580 - $3,092, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 29 years in business
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Richmond, VA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,111-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Richmond, Virginia, costs between $708 and $2,012, before these typical add-ons:
- 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: $708 - $1,433
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $790 - $1,770
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,023 - $2,012
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $708 - $2,012 does not include fuel ($319 - $364) , lodging ($135/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Des Moines to Richmond typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $135 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $59 and $293 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $319 - $364 in fuel for the 1,111-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $631 in Des Moines, Iowa, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,276 and $2,604.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,161 - $1,999
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,276 - $2,604
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,814 - $3,576
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Des Moines, Iowa, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $631.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $68 - $135 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 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.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Richmond, VA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Des Moines and Richmond to plan around. Cost of living index: 87 vs. 95. Average rent: $1,150/mo vs. $1,595/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 51. Safety index: 57.8 vs. 51.55.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Richmond, VA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Iowa to Virginia, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 36 movers in Iowa, so you have real options to compare for this 1,111-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,111-mile route from Des Moines, IA, to Richmond, VA, run $2,367 - $8,548 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,239 - $4,254, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $708 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,651, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($319 - $364), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $135/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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.
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Richmond, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,367 to $8,548, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,367 and $8,548, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Des Moines, IA to Richmond, VA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
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.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
