($666+) Des Moines, IA to Columbus, GA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Columbus, GA, runs anywhere from $666 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,564 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,002 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 $2,232, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,564 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,243 - $3,902, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $666 - $1,808.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Columbus, GA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,589 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Des Moines, IA to Columbus, GA
Moving options from Des Moines to Columbus fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,589 - $6,151 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,002 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 1,002-mile route from Des Moines to Columbus, 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 $2,232 - $5,331 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,243 - $2,133), rental truck ($666 - $1,330), or freight trailer ($1,119 - $1,980). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,589 - $6,151 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,564.
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 Columbus, GA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,002-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Columbus, Georgia, with costs ranging from $2,232 - $8,564. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $250 - $1,668. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Des Moines and Columbus. Local movers in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate plus $142/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,232 - $5,331
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,589 - $6,151
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,243 - $8,564
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 Columbus.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Georgia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Columbus, GA
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Columbus, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $417 - $4,170 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $167 - $1,001/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $250 - $2,002 |
| 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 | $834 - $2,502 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,085 - $8,340 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $625 - $1,187 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $834 - $2,085 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $667 - $2,919 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $250 - $1,251 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $542 - $1,668 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $250 - $12,510+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $250 - $2,919+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Columbus?
Georgia Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Georgia, 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Des Moines, IA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Columbus, GA
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Columbus, Georgia, cost between $1,243 and $3,902. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Columbus. If you go over that window, storage in Des Moines adds around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,243 - $2,133
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,616 - $3,216
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,032 - $3,902
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 $584, 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 $63 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $125 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Des Moines, IA, and Columbus, GA, 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 Georgia 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 $1,243. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,616 - $3,216, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Columbus?
- 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 Columbus, GA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,002 miles from Des Moines, Iowa, to Columbus, Georgia, running $666 - $1,808. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $266 - $304
- Daily insurance: $25/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 Columbus based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $666 - $1,330
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $764 - $1,579
- 4+ bedrooms: $969 - $1,808
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $666 - $1,808 when pricing out a rental truck from Des Moines to Columbus. Fuel alone runs ($266 - $304) , and overnight lodging ($125/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
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 $584.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $266 - $304 for the 1,002-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 $50 and $271, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $125 per night for hotel stops on the 1,002-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $250 - $375.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Columbus?
- 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 Columbus, GA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Columbus, 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 $751 and $2,497.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,119 - $1,980
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,305 - $2,497
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,761 - $3,154
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Des Moines, Iowa, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $584.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $63 - $125 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Columbus?
- 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.
- 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.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Des Moines to Columbus, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Columbus, GA
Good news for your budget: Columbus isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Des Moines. Cost of living index runs 78 there against 87 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 45/100 and 57.8/100 here versus 25/100 and 27.82/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbus, GA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Georgia 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 36 movers in our Iowa network to compare for this 1,002-mile move.
Our take
The 1,002-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Columbus, GA, costs between $2,232 and $8,564 with full-service movers, $1,243 - $3,902 with a moving container, and $666 - $1,808 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 $2,589 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 Aflac and TSYS.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Columbus, GA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Des Moines, IA to Columbus, GA?
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 is the best time of year to move from Des Moines, IA to Columbus, GA?
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. Georgia also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Columbus, GA 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($266 - $304), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $125/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Columbus, GA?
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 $764 - $1,579. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
