($397+) Des Moines, IA to Evansville, IN Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Evansville, IN, runs anywhere from $397 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,179 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 503 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 $1,272, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,179 or more.
- Moving containers run $956 - $2,982, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $397 - $1,052.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Evansville, IN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,063 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 Evansville, IN
Moving options from Des Moines to Evansville 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 $2,063 - $5,270 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 78% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 503 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 503-mile route from Des Moines to Evansville, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,272 - $3,645, container $956 - $1,747, rental truck $397 - $775, freight trailer $885 - $1,587.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,063 - $5,270, container $1,249 - $2,227, rental truck $450 - $910, freight trailer $989 - $1,819.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,790 - $8,179, container $1,614 - $2,982, rental truck $566 - $1,052, freight trailer $1,330 - $2,362.
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 Evansville, IN
Full-service movers for the 503-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Evansville, Indiana, cost between $1,272 and $8,179. 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 $253 - $1,684, 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 Des Moines typically charge a base rate around $737 plus $142 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Evansville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,272 - $3,645
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,063 - $5,270
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,790 - $8,179
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 Evansville.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Evansville, IN
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Evansville, 40% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $421 - $4,210 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $168 - $1,010/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $253 - $2,021 |
| 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 | $842 - $2,526 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,105 - $8,420 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $631 - $1,198 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $842 - $2,105 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $674 - $2,947 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $253 - $1,263 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $547 - $1,684 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $253 - $12,630+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $253 - $2,947+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Evansville?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Des Moines, IA. 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 Des Moines, IA to Evansville, IN
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Evansville, Indiana, cost between $956 and $2,982. 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 Evansville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $956 - $1,747
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,249 - $2,227
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,614 - $2,982
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $589 in Des Moines, IA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $63 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $126 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Evansville, IN, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Indiana 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 $956. 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 $1,249 - $2,227.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Evansville?
- 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 Evansville, IN
Renting a moving truck for the 503-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Evansville, Indiana, costs between $397 and $1,052, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $135 - $154
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- 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 Evansville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $397 - $775
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $450 - $910
- 4+ bedrooms: $566 - $1,052
Pro tip: A rental truck from Des Moines to Evansville looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $397 - $1,052. But once you factor in fuel ($135 - $154), overnight lodging ($126/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $126 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Des Moines, Iowa, usually costs about $589 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 503-mile drive falls between $135 and $154, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $42 and $253 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Evansville?
- 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 Evansville, IN
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 Des Moines, Iowa, to Evansville, Indiana. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $989 and $1,819.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Evansville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $885 - $1,587
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $989 - $1,819
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,330 - $2,362
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 Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $589.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $63 and $126 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Evansville?
- 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.
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 Evansville, IN
Good news for your budget: Evansville isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Des Moines. Cost of living index runs 80 there against 87 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 45/100 and 57.8/100 here versus 44/100 and 56.42/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Indiana over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 67 movers in our Iowa network to compare for this 503-mile move.
Our take
The 503-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Evansville, IN, costs between $1,272 and $8,179 with full-service movers, $956 - $2,982 with a moving container, and $397 - $1,052 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 $2,063 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 Koch Enterprises and Berry Global.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Evansville, IN
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Evansville, IN?
Costs on this route range from around $397 to $8,179, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,272 and $8,179, 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.
How walkable is Evansville?
Evansville has a walkability score of 44 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 43, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($135 - $154), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $126/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Indiana?
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) regulate movers operating within Indiana and issue moving companies Indiana Households Goods Carriers Numbers. Check to make sure prospective movers have one and that it’s up to date.
What is the best time of year to move from Des Moines, IA to Evansville, IN?
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.
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.