($661+) Des Moines, IA to Columbus, GA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Columbus, GA, runs anywhere from $661 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,602 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,105, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,602 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,184 - $3,913, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $661 - $1,831.
- 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 $2,417 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 Columbus, GA
Moving options from Des Moines to Columbus 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 $2,417 - $6,104 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 71% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,002 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
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 $2,105 - $4,883 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,184 - $2,118), rental truck ($661 - $1,180), or freight trailer ($1,014 - $1,868). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,417 - $6,104 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,602.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Columbus, GA
Full-service movers for the 1,002-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Columbus, Georgia, cost between $2,105 and $7,602. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $250 - $1,668, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Des Moines typically charge a base rate around $737 plus $142 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,105 - $4,883
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,417 - $6,104
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,250 - $7,602
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.
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 Columbus, GA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Columbus, 84% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $417 - $4,170 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% 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 coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% 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 items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $834 - $2,085 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $667 - $2,919 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $250 - $1,251 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Georgia Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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 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 $1,184 and $3,913. 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 Des Moines typically runs around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,184 - $2,118
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,421 - $2,856
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,076 - $3,913
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Des Moines, IA and Columbus, GA. 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 $584 in Des Moines, IA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $63 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $125 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 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 $1,184. 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 $1,421 - $2,856.
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:
- 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 Columbus, GA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,002-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Columbus, Georgia, costs between $661 and $1,831, before these typical add-ons:
- 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: $661 - $1,180
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $713 - $1,490
- 4+ bedrooms: $896 - $1,831
Pro tip: A rental truck from Des Moines to Columbus looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $661 - $1,831. But once you factor in fuel ($266 - $304), overnight lodging ($125/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $125 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 $54 and $271 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $266 - $304 in fuel for the 1,002-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $584 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 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
If you're moving a larger household from Des Moines, Iowa, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Columbus, Georgia.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,136 and $2,261.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,014 - $1,868
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,136 - $2,261
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,629 - $3,068
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $63 - $125 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, typically costs $584.
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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Columbus. 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 Columbus, GA
Des Moines and Columbus land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 87 in Des Moines and 78 in Columbus, and average rent is $1,150/mo vs. $1,100/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 45 vs 25 and safety scores are 57.8 vs 27.82.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbus, GA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Georgia, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Iowa alone has 67 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,002-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,002-mile route from Des Moines, IA, to Columbus, GA, run $2,105 - $7,602 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,184 - $3,913, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $661 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,417, 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 Aflac and TSYS.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Columbus, GA
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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Georgia?
Moving companies in Georgia are regulated by the the Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS). Regulations include insurance requirements and the handling of consumer complaints.
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.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Columbus a safe place to live?
Columbus has a safety index of 27.82 out of 100 and a crime index of 72.18, 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 43% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 12% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.