($517+) Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Huntsville, AL, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $517 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,548 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 765 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,796, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,548 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,110 - $3,539, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $517 - $1,414.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Huntsville, AL, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,256 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 Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Huntsville to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,256 - $6,186 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 75% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 765-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 765-mile route from Huntsville to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,796 - $4,496 | $1,110 - $1,902 | $517 - $1,053 | $903 - $1,781 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,256 - $6,186 | $1,316 - $2,718 | $557 - $1,238 | $1,074 - $2,025 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,920 - $8,548 | $1,800 - $3,539 | $735 - $1,414 | $1,484 - $2,914 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Huntsville, Alabama, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,796 and $8,548. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 765-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $274 - $1,824, 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 Huntsville and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Huntsville tend to start around $280 plus $65/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 Huntsville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,796 - $4,496
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,256 - $6,186
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,920 - $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 Huntsville to Des Moines.
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 Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 65% of Huntsville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing81% of local movers | $456 - $4,560 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready65% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $182 - $1,094/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $274 - $2,189 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $912 - $2,736 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,280 - $9,120 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $683 - $1,298 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items35% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Motivated Movers, Inc. | $912 - $2,280 |
| Piano | Any piano type58% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $730 - $3,192 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling12% of local movers | $274 - $1,368 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers9% nationally | $593 - $1,824 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $274 - $13,680+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $274 - $3,192+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Huntsville to Des Moines?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Iowa Motor Truck 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 almost always better priced than local movers in Huntsville, AL. 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 Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Huntsville, Alabama, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,110 and $3,539. 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 Huntsville runs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Huntsville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,110 - $1,902
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,316 - $2,718
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,800 - $3,539
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 $638 in Huntsville, AL. 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 $68 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $137 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 Des Moines, IA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama 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 $1,110. 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 $1,316 - $2,718.
What are the best moving containers Huntsville 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 Huntsville 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 Huntsville:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 37 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.5/5), 15 years in business
- PODS Moving & Storage
Moving truck rental costs from Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA
Renting a moving truck for the 765-mile move from Huntsville, Alabama, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $517 and $1,414, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $222 - $254
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Huntsville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Huntsville to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $517 - $1,053
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $557 - $1,238
- 4+ bedrooms: $735 - $1,414
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $517 - $1,414 does not include fuel ($222 - $254), lodging ($137/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Huntsville to Des Moines typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $137 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 $296 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $222 - $254 in fuel for the 765-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $638 in Huntsville, Alabama, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Huntsville 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 Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Huntsville, Alabama, to Des Moines, Iowa. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $821 and $2,025.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Huntsville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $903 - $1,781
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,074 - $2,025
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,484 - $2,914
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 - $137 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 Huntsville, Alabama, typically costs $638.
What are the best freight companies from Huntsville to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
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 Des Moines 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: Huntsville, AL vs Des Moines, IA
Good news for your budget: Des Moines isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Huntsville. Cost of living index runs 87 there against 94 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 24/100 and 57.45/100 here versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Huntsville, AL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Alabama 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 112 movers based in Alabama, handy for sizing up options on this 765-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Huntsville, AL, to Des Moines, IA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,796 - $8,548 on the 765-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,110 - $3,539 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $517 - $1,414 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,256 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Huntsville, AL, to Des Moines, IA
What is the cheapest way to move from Huntsville, AL 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 $557 - $1,238. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Des Moines a safe place to live?
Des Moines has a safety index of 57.8 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 57.45 and 42.55 in Huntsville. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 is the best time of year to move from Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA?
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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Iowa?
When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements.
What percentage of Huntsville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 58% of movers in Huntsville handle piano moves, and 35% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.