($746+) Des Moines, IA to El Paso, TX Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to El Paso, TX, runs anywhere from $746 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,236 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,130 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 $2,136, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,236 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,206 - $4,189, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $746 - $1,936.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to El Paso, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,552 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 El Paso, TX
Moving options from Des Moines to El Paso fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,552 - $6,096 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 39% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 71% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,130 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 1,130-mile route from Des Moines to El Paso, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,136 - $4,753 | $1,206 - $2,299 | $746 - $1,323 | $1,151 - $1,988 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,552 - $6,096 | $1,568 - $3,295 | $751 - $1,704 | $1,192 - $2,561 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,369 - $8,236 | $2,100 - $4,189 | $1,002 - $1,936 | $1,714 - $3,218 |
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 Des Moines, IA to El Paso, TX
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,130-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to El Paso, Texas, with prices running from $2,136 - $8,236. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $255 - $1,700 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Des Moines and El Paso are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Des Moines movers tend to run around $737 as a base rate plus $142/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to El Paso:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,136 - $4,753
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,552 - $6,096
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,369 - $8,236
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 El Paso.
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 Des Moines, IA to El Paso, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In El Paso, 61% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing62% of local movers | $425 - $4,250 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $170 - $1,020/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $255 - $2,040 |
| 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 | $850 - $2,550 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,125 - $8,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $637 - $1,210 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $850 - $2,125 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $680 - $2,975 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $255 - $1,275 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $553 - $1,700 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $255 - $12,750+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $255 - $2,975+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to El Paso?
Southwest Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Texas, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Des Moines, IA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to El Paso, TX
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to El Paso, Texas, cost between $1,206 and $4,189. 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 Des Moines runs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to El Paso:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,206 - $2,299
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,568 - $3,295
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,100 - $4,189
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Des Moines, IA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $595, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $64 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $128 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Des Moines, IA, and El Paso, TX, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Texas 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 $1,206. 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 $1,568 - $3,295.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to El Paso?
- 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 El Paso, TX
Renting a moving truck for the 1,130-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to El Paso, Texas, costs between $746 and $1,936, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $306 - $349
- 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 El Paso based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $746 - $1,323
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $751 - $1,704
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,002 - $1,936
Pro tip: The base rate of $746 - $1,936 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Des Moines to El Paso. Fuel ($306 - $349), lodging at around $128/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $128 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 Des Moines, Iowa, usually costs about $595 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,130-mile drive falls between $306 and $349, 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 $43 and $255 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to El Paso?
- 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 El Paso, TX
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 El Paso, Texas. 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 $1,192 and $2,561.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to El Paso:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,151 - $1,988
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,192 - $2,561
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,714 - $3,218
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 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 $64 and $128.
- 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 Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly five hours typically average $595.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to El Paso?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
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 El Paso 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: Des Moines, IA vs El Paso, TX
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Des Moines and El Paso to plan around. Cost of living index: 87 vs. 82. Average rent: $1,150/mo vs. $1,510/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 40. Safety index: 57.8 vs. 67.49.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our El Paso, TX to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 5 real quotes from Iowa to Texas 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 58 movers in our Iowa network to compare for this 1,130-mile move.
Our take
The 1,130-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to El Paso, TX, costs between $2,136 and $8,236 with full-service movers, $1,206 - $4,189 with a moving container, and $746 - $1,936 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 $2,552 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to El Paso tend to point to low cost of living and pleasant climate, though hot summers and limited jobs come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Fort Bliss and El Paso Independent School District.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to El Paso, TX
What do local movers charge in Des Moines?
Local movers based in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate, plus $142/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 El Paso run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to El Paso, TX take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 are the best neighborhoods in El Paso?
For families, Album Park, Castner Heights, and Cielo Vista are worth a look in El Paso. If you're moving solo or without kids, Castner Heights, Cielo Vista, and Mesa Hills tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to El Paso, TX?
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 $751 - $1,704. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is El Paso a safe place to live?
El Paso has a safety index of 67.49 out of 100 and a crime index of 32.51, compared to 57.8 and 5.0 in Des Moines. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 12% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.