($425+) Des Moines, IA to Evansville, IN Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Evansville, IN, runs anywhere from $438 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,755 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,755 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,013 - $3,067, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $438 - $1,139.
- 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 $2,165 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. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,165 - $5,756 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 503 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
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:
- Full-service movers: $1,272 for a studio up to $8,755 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,013 - $3,067 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $438 - $1,139, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $939 - $2,428, 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 Des Moines, IA to Evansville, IN
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Evansville, Indiana, costs between $1,272 and $8,755. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 503-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $253 - $1,684, 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 Evansville. 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 Evansville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,272 - $4,066
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,165 - $5,756
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,742 - $8,755
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Indiana. 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 Des Moines, IA to Evansville, IN
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Evansville, 50% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $421 - $4,210 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% 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 coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% 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 items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $842 - $2,105 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $674 - $2,947 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $253 - $1,263 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Des Moines, IA. 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 Des Moines, IA to Evansville, IN
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Evansville, Indiana, cost between $1,013 and $3,067. 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 Evansville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,013 - $1,835
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,312 - $2,583
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,643 - $3,067
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 $589, 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 $126 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Des Moines, IA, and Evansville, IN, 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 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 $1,013. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,312 - $2,583, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- 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 Evansville, IN
Renting a moving truck for the 503-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Evansville, Indiana, costs between $438 and $1,139, 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: $438 - $797
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $486 - $974
- 4+ bedrooms: $577 - $1,139
Pro tip: A rental truck from Des Moines to Evansville looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $438 - $1,139. But once you factor in fuel ($135 - $154) , overnight lodging ($126/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $295.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $126.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $135 and $154 for the 503-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 $589 for 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $967 and $2,027.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Evansville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $939 - $1,667
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $967 - $2,027
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,397 - $2,428
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems 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 Evansville 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 Evansville, IN
Day-to-day costs in Evansville are close to what you're used to in Des Moines: cost of living index of 80 versus 87, with average rent of $867/mo compared to $1,150/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 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines versus 44/100 and 56.42/100 in Evansville.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Indiana 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 36 movers based in Iowa, handy for sizing up options on this 503-mile route.
Our take
The 503-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Evansville, IN, costs between $1,272 and $8,755 with full-service movers, $1,013 - $3,067 with a moving container, and $438 - $1,139 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 $2,165 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 $1,272 to $8,755, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,272 and $8,755, 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 75% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
