($821+) Des Moines, IA to St. George, UT Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to St. George, UT, runs anywhere from $821 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,679 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,296 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,230, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,679 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,305 - $4,148, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $821 - $2,185.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to St. George, UT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,730 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 St. George, UT
Moving options from Des Moines to St. George fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,730 - $6,090 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 39% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 68% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,296 miles, this route usually takes 3 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,296-mile route from Des Moines to St. George, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,230 - $4,863 | $1,305 - $2,240 | $821 - $1,551 | $1,129 - $2,037 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,730 - $6,090 | $1,667 - $3,124 | $862 - $1,756 | $1,268 - $2,631 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,977 - $8,679 | $2,215 - $4,148 | $1,105 - $2,185 | $1,754 - $3,528 |
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 St. George, UT
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,296-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to St. George, Utah, with prices running from $2,230 - $8,679. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $289 - $1,924 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Des Moines and St. George 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 St. George:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,230 - $4,863
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,730 - $6,090
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,977 - $8,679
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 St. George.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Utah. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to St. George, UT
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. George, 72% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $481 - $4,810 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $192 - $1,154/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $289 - $2,309 |
| 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 | $962 - $2,886 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,405 - $9,620 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $721 - $1,369 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $962 - $2,405 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $770 - $3,367 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $289 - $1,443 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $625 - $1,924 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $289 - $14,430+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $289 - $3,367+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to St. George?
- 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 St. George, UT
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to St. George, Utah, cost between $1,305 and $4,148. 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 St. George:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,305 - $2,240
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,667 - $3,124
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,215 - $4,148
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Des Moines, IA and St. George, UT. 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 $673 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 $72 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $144 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 Utah 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 $1,305. 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 $1,667 - $3,124.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to St. George?
- 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 St. George, UT
A rental truck for this 1,296-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to St. George, Utah, costs between $821 and $2,185. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $397 - $453
- Daily insurance: $29/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 St. George based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $821 - $1,551
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $862 - $1,756
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,105 - $2,185
Pro tip: The base rate of $821 - $2,185 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Des Moines to St. George. Fuel ($397 - $453), lodging at around $144/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $144 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Des Moines, Iowa, usually costs about $673 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,296-mile drive falls between $397 and $453, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $48 and $289 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to St. George?
- 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 St. George, UT
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 St. George, Utah. 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 $1,268 and $2,631.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to St. George:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,129 - $2,037
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,268 - $2,631
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,754 - $3,528
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?
- 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 $72 - $144 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 $673.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to St. George?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
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 St. George 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 St. George, UT
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. George, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | St. George, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 110 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $1,770/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $456,516 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $72,870/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 2.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 27/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 70.98/100 |
| 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 St. George, UT to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Utah in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 67 movers based in Iowa, handy for sizing up options on this 1,296-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,296-mile route from Des Moines, IA, to St. George, UT, run $2,230 - $8,679 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,305 - $4,148, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $821 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,730, 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 LHC Health Services Inc and SkyWest Airlines Inc.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to St. George, UT
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to St. George, UT?
Costs on this route range from around $821 to $8,679, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,230 and $8,679, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to St. George, UT?
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 $862 - $1,756. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($397 - $453), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $144/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to St. George, UT take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 3 to 8 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 is the best time of year to move from Des Moines, IA to St. George, UT?
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. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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.