($756+) Salt Lake City, UT to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Salt Lake City, UT, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $705 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,474 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,066 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 $2,356, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,474 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,267 - $3,993, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $705 - $1,899.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Salt Lake City, UT, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,716 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Salt Lake City to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,716 - $6,219 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 1,066 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,066-mile route from Salt Lake City to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,356 - $5,408, container $1,267 - $2,360, rental truck $705 - $1,339, freight trailer $1,062 - $2,145.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,716 - $6,219, container $1,646 - $3,061, rental truck $754 - $1,625, freight trailer $1,305 - $2,628.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,358 - $8,474, container $2,223 - $3,993, rental truck $967 - $1,899, freight trailer $1,710 - $3,396.
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 Salt Lake City, UT to Des Moines, IA
For the 1,066-mile move from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $2,356 and $8,474. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $322 - $2,148 (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 Salt Lake City generally start around $340 plus $137 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Salt Lake City to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,356 - $5,408
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,716 - $6,219
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,358 - $8,474
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 Salt Lake City to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Utah to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Salt Lake City, UT to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of Salt Lake City 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 | $537 - $5,370 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Best Of Utah Moving Company LLC | $215 - $1,289/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $322 - $2,578 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs78% of local movers | $1,074 - $3,222 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,685 - $10,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $804 - $1,528 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items61% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Best Of Utah Moving Company LLC | $1,074 - $2,685 |
| Piano | Any piano type74% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Best Of Utah Moving Company LLC | $859 - $3,759 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $322 - $1,611 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Moving Connections | $698 - $2,148 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $322 - $16,110+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $322 - $3,759+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Salt Lake City to Des Moines?
Look for Iowa Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Iowa beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Salt Lake City, UT, 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,267 and $3,993. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Salt Lake City typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Salt Lake City to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,267 - $2,360
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,646 - $3,061
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,223 - $3,993
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $81 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $161 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 $752 in Salt Lake City, UT, 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 Des Moines, IA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Utah 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 $1,267. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,646 - $3,061, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City:
- Best Of Utah Moving Company LLC (5.0/5), 10 years in business
- Moving Connections (4.9/5), 27 years in business
- Kellogg Movers (4.9/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Salt Lake City, UT to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 1,066-mile move from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $705 and $1,899. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $364 - $416
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $21
- Salt Lake City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.29
| 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 Salt Lake City to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $705 - $1,339
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $754 - $1,625
- 4+ bedrooms: $967 - $1,899
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $705 - $1,899 does not include fuel ($364 - $416) , lodging ($161/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Salt Lake City to Des Moines typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $81 and $376.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $161.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $364 and $416 for the 1,066-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 $752 for 2 movers in Salt Lake City, Utah, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Salt Lake City, Utah, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Des Moines, Iowa.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,305 and $2,628.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Salt Lake City to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,062 - $2,145
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,305 - $2,628
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,710 - $3,396
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $81 and $161.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Salt Lake City, Utah, for roughly five hours typically average $752.
What are the best freight companies from Salt Lake City 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.
- Savage Services Corporation (4.76/5 stars): Savage Services Corporation 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: Salt Lake City, UT vs Des Moines, IA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Des Moines, side by side with Salt Lake City on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Salt Lake City, UT | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 121 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,495/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $495,721 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $74,925/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 59/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 65.36/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Salt Lake City, UT guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Utah to Iowa, 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 32 movers in Utah, so you have real options to compare for this 1,066-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Salt Lake City, UT, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,356 for a studio to $8,474 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,066-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,267 - $3,993. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $705 - $1,899, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,716 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Salt Lake City, UT, to Des Moines, IA
What is the best time of year to move from Salt Lake City, UT 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 long does a move from Salt Lake City, UT to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($364 - $416), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $161/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Salt Lake City, UT 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 $754 - $1,625. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Salt Lake City, UT to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,356 to $8,474, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,356 and $8,474, 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 percentage of Salt Lake City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 74% of movers in Salt Lake City handle piano moves, and 61% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
