($570+) Des Moines, IA to Atlanta, GA Movers

Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Atlanta, GA

Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Atlanta, Georgia, costs between $1,976 and $7,905. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 892-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $292 - $1,948, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Des Moines and Atlanta. For a rough baseline, movers based in Des Moines tend to start around $737 plus $142/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Atlanta:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,976 - $4,804
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,303 - $6,143
• 4+ bedrooms: $3,822 - $7,905

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 Atlanta.

Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Atlanta, GA

Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Atlanta, 58% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Atlanta?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Georgia Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.

1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Atlanta, GA

Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Atlanta, Georgia, cost between $1,085 and $3,505. 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 Des Moines typically costs about $60/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Atlanta:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,085 - $2,089
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,354 - $2,761
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,821 - $3,505

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $73 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $146 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 $682 in Des Moines, IA, 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 Atlanta, GA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Atlanta?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Atlanta, GA

A rental truck for this 892-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Atlanta, Georgia, costs between $570 and $1,601. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

• Fuel for the drive: $276 - $316
• Daily insurance: $29/day
• Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
• Des Moines daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $1.19

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Des Moines to Atlanta based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $570 - $1,064
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $627 - $1,358
• 4+ bedrooms: $827 - $1,601

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Gas: Fuel adds $276 - $316 for the 892-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
• Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours typically costs around $682.
• Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
• Lodging: The 892-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $146 per night, adding $292 - $438 in hotel costs total.
• Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $49 and $292.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Atlanta?

1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
3. 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 Atlanta, GA

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Atlanta, Georgia. 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 $877 and $2,253.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Atlanta:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $958 - $1,717
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,184 - $2,253
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,502 - $2,863

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 $73 and $146.
• 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 $682.

What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Atlanta?

1. 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.
2. 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.

Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Atlanta, GA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Atlanta, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Our take

The 892-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Atlanta, GA, costs between $1,976 and $7,905 with full-service movers, $1,085 - $3,505 with a moving container, and $570 - $1,601 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 $2,303 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Atlanta tend to point to ample economic opportunity and mild winters, though terrible traffic and urban sprawl come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Delta Air Lines and Emory University / Emory Healthcare.