($558+) Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Huntsville, AL, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $553 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,180 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $1,881, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,180 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,140 - $3,453, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $553 - $1,466.
- 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 $2,438 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
There are 3 main ways to move from Huntsville to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,438 - $6,111. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 765 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
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:
- Full-service movers: $1,881 for a studio up to $8,180 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,140 - $3,453 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $553 - $1,466, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $966 - $2,791, 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 Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA
For the 765-mile move from Huntsville, Alabama, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $1,881 and $8,180. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $274 - $1,824 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Huntsville generally start around $280 plus $65 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Huntsville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,881 - $4,616
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,438 - $6,111
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,278 - $8,180
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Alabama to Iowa. 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 Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Huntsville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $456 - $4,560 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% 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 coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs13% 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 items38% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Motivated Movers, Inc. | $912 - $2,280 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $730 - $3,192 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $274 - $1,368 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect13% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Motivated Movers, Inc. | $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?
All three below meet the standards set by the Iowa Motor Truck Association, the group most Iowa 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Huntsville, AL. 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 Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Huntsville, Alabama, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,140 and $3,453. 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 Huntsville typically costs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Huntsville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,140 - $1,932
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,407 - $2,652
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,867 - $3,453
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $68 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $137 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Des Moines, IA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $638 in Huntsville, AL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,140. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,407 - $2,652, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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
- Motivated Movers, Inc. (4.9/5), 15 years in business
- Fortson Moving Systems (4.9/5), 30 years in business
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 $553 and $1,466, 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: $553 - $1,050
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $626 - $1,234
- 4+ bedrooms: $762 - $1,466
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $553 - $1,466 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 $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $137 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 Huntsville, Alabama, usually costs about $638 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 765-mile drive falls between $222 and $254, 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 $46 and $274 to your total.
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 $2,277.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Huntsville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $966 - $1,903
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,194 - $2,277
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,539 - $2,791
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 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.
- R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc. 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 a great option when you need your belongings in Des Moines fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
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, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 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 you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to Iowa, 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 46 movers licensed in Alabama, useful context for sizing up this 765-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 765-mile route from Huntsville, AL, to Des Moines, IA, run $1,881 - $8,180 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,140 - $3,453, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $553 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,438, 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 MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Huntsville, AL, to Des Moines, IA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($222 - $254), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $137/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Des Moines?
Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 24 and 40 in Huntsville. 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 Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,881 to $8,180, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,881 and $8,180, 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 Huntsville, AL to Des Moines, IA?
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 Huntsville?
Local movers based in Huntsville typically start around $280 as a base rate, plus $65/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 Des Moines run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Huntsville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 88% of movers in Huntsville handle piano moves, and 38% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
