($473+) Des Moines, IA to Cleveland, OH Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Cleveland, OH, runs anywhere from $473 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,881 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 662 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 $1,539, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,881 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,001 - $3,185, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $473 - $1,259.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Cleveland, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,206 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 Cleveland, OH
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Cleveland: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,206 - $5,557. Moving containers run about 39% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 78% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 662-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 662-mile route from Des Moines to Cleveland, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,539 - $4,150, container $1,001 - $1,739, rental truck $473 - $868, freight trailer $928 - $1,565.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,206 - $5,557, container $1,335 - $2,533, rental truck $495 - $1,127, freight trailer $1,048 - $1,986.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,723 - $7,881, container $1,786 - $3,185, rental truck $664 - $1,259, freight trailer $1,402 - $2,730.
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 Cleveland, OH
Full-service movers for the 662-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Cleveland, Ohio, cost between $1,539 and $7,881. 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 $256 - $1,708, 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 Cleveland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,539 - $4,150
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,206 - $5,557
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,723 - $7,881
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 Cleveland.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Ohio. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Cleveland, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Cleveland, 62% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $427 - $4,270 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $171 - $1,025/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $256 - $2,050 |
| 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 | $854 - $2,562 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,135 - $8,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $640 - $1,215 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $854 - $2,135 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $683 - $2,989 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $256 - $1,281 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $555 - $1,708 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $256 - $12,810+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $256 - $2,989+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Cleveland?
All three below meet the standards set by the Ohio Association of Movers, the group most Ohio 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Des Moines, IA, 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 Des Moines, IA to Cleveland, OH
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Cleveland, Ohio, cost between $1,001 and $3,185. 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 Des Moines typically runs around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Cleveland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,001 - $1,739
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,335 - $2,533
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,786 - $3,185
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $64 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $128 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Cleveland, OH, 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 $598 in Des Moines, IA. 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 Iowa to Ohio 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 $1,001. 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 $1,335 - $2,533.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Cleveland?
- 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 Cleveland, OH
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Cleveland, Ohio, range from $473 - $1,259 for the 662-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $180 - $206
- Daily insurance: $26/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 Cleveland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $473 - $868
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $495 - $1,127
- 4+ bedrooms: $664 - $1,259
Pro tip: A rental truck from Des Moines to Cleveland looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $473 - $1,259. But once you factor in fuel ($180 - $206), overnight lodging ($128/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $598.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $180 - $206 for the 662-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $51 and $278, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $128 per night for hotel stops on the 662-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $256 - $384.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Cleveland?
- 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 Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, Ohio. 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 $1,048 and $1,986.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Cleveland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $928 - $1,565
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,048 - $1,986
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,402 - $2,730
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 $598.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $64 and $128 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Cleveland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Cleveland. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Cleveland, OH
Good news for your budget: Cleveland isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Des Moines. Cost of living index runs 83 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 57/100 and 36.59/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Ohio 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 662-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to Cleveland, OH, 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 $1,539 - $7,881 on the 662-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,001 - $3,185 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $473 - $1,259 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,206 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Cleveland tend to point to abundant food options and beautiful nature, though construction and brutal winters come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Cleveland, OH
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Cleveland, OH?
Costs on this route range from around $473 to $7,881, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,539 and $7,881, 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 Cleveland?
Cleveland has a walkability score of 57 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 52, 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 ($180 - $206), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $128/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Ohio?
Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What is the best time of year to move from Des Moines, IA to Cleveland, OH?
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.