($1,005+) Des Moines, IA to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $1,005 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,401 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,696 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,396, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,401 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,453 - $5,080, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,005 - $2,808.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,140 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 Long Beach, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Long Beach: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,140 - $7,082. Moving containers run about 38% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 65% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,696-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,696-mile route from Des Moines to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,396 - $5,354 with full-service movers, $1,453 - $2,654 with a container, $1,005 - $1,817 with a rental truck, or $1,281 - $2,389 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,140 - $7,082 full-service, $1,932 - $3,827 by container, $1,097 - $2,251 by rental truck, or $1,441 - $2,880 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,406 - $10,401 full-service, $2,483 - $5,080 by container, $1,343 - $2,808 by rental truck, or $1,946 - $3,860 by freight.
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 Long Beach, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,696-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Long Beach, California, with prices running from $2,396 - $10,401. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $351 - $2,340 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Des Moines and Long Beach are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Des Moines movers tend to run around $737 as a base rate plus $142/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,396 - $5,354
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,140 - $7,082
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,406 - $10,401
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 Long Beach.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Long Beach, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $585 - $5,850 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $234 - $1,404/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $351 - $2,808 |
| 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 | $1,170 - $3,510 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,925 - $11,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $876 - $1,665 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $1,170 - $2,925 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $936 - $4,095 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $351 - $1,755 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $761 - $2,340 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $351 - $17,550+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $351 - $4,095+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Long Beach?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 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 Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,453 and $5,080. 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 Des Moines costs roughly $60/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,453 - $2,654
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,932 - $3,827
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,483 - $5,080
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $88 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $176 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Long Beach, CA, 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 $819 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 California 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 $1,453. 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 $1,932 - $3,827.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Long Beach?
- 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 Long Beach, CA
A rental truck for this 1,696-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Long Beach, California, costs between $1,005 and $2,808. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $631 - $722
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- 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 Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,005 - $1,817
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,097 - $2,251
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,343 - $2,808
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,005 - $2,808 when pricing out a rental truck from Des Moines to Long Beach. Fuel alone runs $631 - $722, and overnight lodging ($176/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $88 and $410.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $176.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $631 and $722 for the 1,696-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $819 for 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Long Beach?
- 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 Long Beach, CA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Des Moines, Iowa, to Long Beach, California. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,441 and $2,880.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,281 - $2,389
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,441 - $2,880
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,946 - $3,860
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $88 and $176.
- 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 $819.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Long Beach?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Long Beach quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Long Beach, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 41.42/100 |
| 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 Long Beach, CA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to California 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 67 movers in our Iowa network to compare for this 1,696-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Des Moines, IA, to Long Beach, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,396 for a studio to $10,401 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,696-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,453 - $5,080. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,005 - $2,808, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,140 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Long Beach, CA
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Long Beach, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($631 - $722), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $176/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Long Beach, CA?
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 $1,097 - $2,251. 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 Long Beach, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,005 to $10,401, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,396 and $10,401, 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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.