($538+) Des Moines, IA to Nashville, TN Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Nashville, TN, runs anywhere from $522 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,105 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 655 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 $1,491, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,105 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,051 - $3,584, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $522 - $1,431.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Nashville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,339 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 Nashville, TN
Moving options from Des Moines to Nashville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,339 - $6,067 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 655 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 655-mile route from Des Moines to Nashville, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,491 - $4,443 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,051 - $1,882), rental truck ($522 - $910), or freight trailer ($993 - $1,676). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,339 - $6,067 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,105.
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 Des Moines, IA to Nashville, TN
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Nashville, Tennessee, costs between $1,491 and $8,105. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 655-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $283 - $1,884, 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 Nashville. 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 Nashville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,491 - $4,443
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,339 - $6,067
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,988 - $8,105
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 Nashville.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Tennessee. 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 Nashville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Nashville, 81% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $471 - $4,710 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $188 - $1,130/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $283 - $2,261 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $942 - $2,826 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,355 - $9,420 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $706 - $1,340 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $942 - $2,355 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $754 - $3,297 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $283 - $1,413 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $612 - $1,884 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $283 - $14,130+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $283 - $3,297+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Nashville?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 Nashville, TN
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Nashville, Tennessee, cost between $1,051 and $3,584. 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 Nashville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,051 - $1,882
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,348 - $2,605
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,821 - $3,584
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $71 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $141 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Nashville, TN, 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 $659 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 Tennessee 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 $1,051. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,348 - $2,605, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Nashville?
- 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:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 29 years in business
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Nashville, TN
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Nashville, Tennessee, range from $522 - $1,431 for the 655-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $196 - $224
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- 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 Nashville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $522 - $910
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $569 - $1,161
- 4+ bedrooms: $669 - $1,431
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $522 - $1,431 does not include fuel ($196 - $224) , lodging ($141/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Des Moines to Nashville typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $141 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 $61 and $306 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $196 - $224 in fuel for the 655-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $659 in Des Moines, Iowa, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Nashville?
- 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 Nashville, TN
For larger DIY moves from Des Moines, Iowa, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Nashville, Tennessee.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,057 and $2,148.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Nashville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $993 - $1,676
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,057 - $2,148
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,428 - $2,619
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $659.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $71 and $141 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Nashville?
- 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.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Nashville. 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 Nashville, TN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Nashville, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Nashville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 105 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $1,971/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $382,847 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $75,197/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | None |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 96/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 50.9/100 |
| 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 Nashville, TN to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Iowa to Tennessee, 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 36 movers in Iowa, so you have real options to compare for this 655-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 655-mile route from Des Moines, IA, to Nashville, TN, run $1,491 - $8,105 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,051 - $3,584, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $522 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,339, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include HCA Healthcare and Access Control Systems.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Nashville, TN
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($196 - $224), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $141/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Nashville, TN?
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 $569 - $1,161. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Nashville, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $1,491 to $8,105, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,491 and $8,105, 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 size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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 Nashville run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
