($619+) Montgomery, AL to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $619 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,486 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 935 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,155, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,486 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,120 - $3,634, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $619 - $1,640.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,548 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 Montgomery, AL to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Montgomery to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,548 - $6,111. Containers cost roughly 41% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 74% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 935 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 935-mile route from Montgomery to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,155 - $4,824 | $1,120 - $2,119 | $619 - $1,135 | $1,019 - $1,925 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,548 - $6,111 | $1,514 - $2,972 | $675 - $1,336 | $1,153 - $2,332 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,106 - $8,486 | $1,940 - $3,634 | $838 - $1,640 | $1,630 - $3,180 |
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 Montgomery, AL to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 935-mile relocation from Montgomery, Alabama, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $2,155 and $8,486. 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 $247 - $1,644, 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 Montgomery typically charge a base rate around $462 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,155 - $4,824
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,548 - $6,111
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,106 - $8,486
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 Montgomery to Des Moines.
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 Montgomery, AL to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 45% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing64% of local movers | $411 - $4,110 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready45% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $164 - $986/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $247 - $1,973 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs36% of local movers | $822 - $2,466 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,055 - $8,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $616 - $1,170 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $822 - $2,055 |
| Piano | Any piano type45% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $658 - $2,877 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $247 - $1,233 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $534 - $1,644 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $247 - $12,330+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $247 - $2,877+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery to Des Moines?
Iowa Motor Truck Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Iowa, 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Montgomery, AL. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,120 and $3,634. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Montgomery costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,120 - $2,119
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,514 - $2,972
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,940 - $3,634
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $62 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $123 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 $575 in Montgomery, AL, 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 Des Moines, IA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama to Iowa 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 $1,120. 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 $1,514 - $2,972.
What are the best moving containers Montgomery to Des Moines?
- 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery:
- C & R Movers, LLC (4.2/5), 12 years in business
- Admiral Movers (4.8/5), 37 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Montgomery, AL to Des Moines, IA
Renting a moving truck for the 935-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $619 and $1,640, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $245 - $279
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- Montgomery daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Montgomery to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $619 - $1,135
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $675 - $1,336
- 4+ bedrooms: $838 - $1,640
Pro tip: The base rate of $619 - $1,640 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Montgomery to Des Moines. Fuel ($245 - $279), lodging at around $123/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $123 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 $53 and $267 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $245 - $279 in fuel for the 935-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $575 in Montgomery, Alabama, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to Des Moines?
- 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 Montgomery, AL to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Montgomery, Alabama, to Des Moines, Iowa. 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 $740 and $2,332.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,019 - $1,925
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,153 - $2,332
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,630 - $3,180
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 $62 - $123 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 Montgomery, Alabama, typically costs $575.
What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Montgomery to Des Moines. 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: Montgomery, AL vs Des Moines, IA
Good news for your budget: Des Moines isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Montgomery. Cost of living index runs 87 there against 79 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 26/100 and 34.75/100 here versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Montgomery, AL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to Iowa 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 112 movers in our Alabama network to compare for this 935-mile move.
Our take
A move from Montgomery, AL, to Des Moines, IA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,155 - $8,486 on the 935-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,120 - $3,634, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $619 - $1,640. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,548 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Des Moines, IA
How long does a move from Montgomery, AL to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 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 do local movers charge in Montgomery?
Local movers based in Montgomery typically start around $462 as a base rate, plus $133/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 Des Moines run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Montgomery, AL to Des Moines, IA?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Montgomery, AL to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $619 to $8,486, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,155 and $8,486, 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.
How walkable is Des Moines?
Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 26 and 33 in Montgomery. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Montgomery movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 45% of movers in Montgomery handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.