($681+) Lafayette, LA to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Lafayette, LA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $635 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,558 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 957 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 $2,053, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,558 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,257 - $4,174, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $635 - $1,883.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lafayette, LA, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,515 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 Lafayette, LA to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Lafayette to Des Moines: 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 $2,515 - $6,076. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 957-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 957-mile route from Lafayette to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,053 - $5,216 | $1,257 - $2,111 | $635 - $1,214 | $1,056 - $1,919 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,515 - $6,076 | $1,493 - $2,934 | $743 - $1,518 | $1,170 - $2,396 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,332 - $8,558 | $2,136 - $4,174 | $896 - $1,883 | $1,693 - $3,274 |
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 Lafayette, LA to Des Moines, IA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 957-mile move from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Des Moines, Iowa, with prices running from $2,053 - $8,558. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $266 - $1,776 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Lafayette and Des Moines are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Lafayette movers tend to run around $260 as a base rate plus $260/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lafayette to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,053 - $5,216
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,515 - $6,076
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,332 - $8,558
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 Lafayette to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Louisiana to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Lafayette, LA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 75% of Lafayette 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 | $444 - $4,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready75% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $178 - $1,066/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $266 - $2,131 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $888 - $2,664 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,220 - $8,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $665 - $1,264 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Acadiana Movers | $888 - $2,220 |
| Piano | Any piano type50% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $710 - $3,108 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $266 - $1,332 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $577 - $1,776 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $266 - $13,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $266 - $3,108+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Lafayette to Des Moines?
Movers licensed to operate in Iowa are typically members of the Iowa Motor Truck Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Lafayette, LA, 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 Lafayette, LA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,257 and $4,174. 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 Lafayette typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lafayette to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,257 - $2,111
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,493 - $2,934
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,136 - $4,174
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Lafayette, LA and Des Moines, IA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $622 in Lafayette, LA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $67 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $133 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Louisiana 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 $1,257. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,493 - $2,934, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 14 years in business
- A & L Movers (4.5/5), 11 years in business
- Acadiana Movers (4.4/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Lafayette, LA to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 957 miles from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $635 - $1,883. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $270 - $309
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Lafayette daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Lafayette to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $635 - $1,214
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $743 - $1,518
- 4+ bedrooms: $896 - $1,883
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Lafayette to Des Moines starts at $635 - $1,883, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($270 - $309) , overnight lodging ($133/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $133 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 $58 and $289 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $270 - $309 in fuel for the 957-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $622 in Lafayette, Louisiana, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Lafayette 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 Lafayette, LA to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Lafayette, Louisiana, 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 $799 and $2,396.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lafayette to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,056 - $1,919
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,170 - $2,396
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,693 - $3,274
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 Lafayette, Louisiana, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $622.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $67 and $133 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Lafayette to Des Moines?
- 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.
- Dupre Logistics, LLC (4.5/5 stars): Dupre Logistics, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
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: Lafayette, LA vs Des Moines, IA
Lafayette and Des Moines land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 90 in Lafayette and 87 in Des Moines, and rent tracks closely too ($2,825/mo vs. $1,150/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (42 vs 45) and safety scores (54.25 vs 57.8) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Lafayette, LA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Louisiana 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 29 movers based in Louisiana, handy for sizing up options on this 957-mile route.
Our take
The 957-mile move from Lafayette, LA, to Des Moines, IA, costs between $2,053 and $8,558 with full-service movers, $1,257 - $4,174 with a moving container, and $635 - $1,883 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 $2,515 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 MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Lafayette, LA, to Des Moines, IA
What is the cheapest way to move from Lafayette, LA 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 $743 - $1,518. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($270 - $309), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $133/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Lafayette, LA 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 is the best time of year to move from Lafayette, LA 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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Lafayette, LA 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 percentage of Lafayette movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 50% of movers in Lafayette handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
