($876+) Des Moines, IA to Boise, ID Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Des Moines, IA to Boise, ID

Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Boise, ID, runs anywhere from $849 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,635 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,360 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 $2,335, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,635 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,363 - $4,723, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $849 - $2,381.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Boise, ID. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,994 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Des Moines, IA to Boise, ID

There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Boise: 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 $2,994 - $7,109. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,360-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 1,360-mile route from Des Moines to Boise, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,335 - $5,139 $1,363 - $2,493 $849 - $1,624 $1,240 - $2,314
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,994 - $7,109 $1,741 - $3,551 $974 - $1,971 $1,350 - $2,926
4+ bedrooms $5,255 - $9,635 $2,316 - $4,723 $1,167 - $2,381 $1,930 - $3,664

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Boise, ID

Full-service movers for the 1,360-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Boise, Idaho, cost between $2,335 and $9,635. 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 $299 - $1,996, 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 Boise:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,335 - $5,139
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,994 - $7,109
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,255 - $9,635

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 Boise.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Idaho. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.

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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Boise, ID

Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Boise, 91% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing92% of local movers$499 - $4,990
Storage in transitNew place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$200 - $1,198/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$299 - $2,395
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers$998 - $2,994
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,495 - $9,980
Car shippingSecond vehicle$748 - $1,420
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving$998 - $2,495
PianoAny piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$798 - $3,493
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers$299 - $1,497
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC$649 - $1,996
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$299 - $14,970+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$299 - $3,493+

What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Boise?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Idaho Trucking Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Des Moines, IA. 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 Des Moines, IA to Boise, ID

Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Boise, Idaho, cost between $1,363 and $4,723. 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 Boise:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,363 - $2,493
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,741 - $3,551
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,316 - $4,723

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $75 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $150 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 $699 in Des Moines, IA, 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 Boise, ID, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Idaho 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 $1,363. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,741 - $3,551, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Boise?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Boise, ID

Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Boise, Idaho, range from $849 - $2,381 for the 1,360-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $432 - $494
  • Daily insurance: $30/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Des Moines daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $1.19
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Des Moines to Boise based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $849 - $1,624
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $974 - $1,971
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,167 - $2,381

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Des Moines to Boise starts at $849 - $2,381, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($432 - $494) , overnight lodging ($150/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $150 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 $65 and $324 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $432 - $494 in fuel for the 1,360-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $699 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 Boise?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Boise, ID

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 Boise, Idaho.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,350 and $2,926.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Boise:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,240 - $2,314
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,350 - $2,926
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,930 - $3,664

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?

  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Des Moines, Iowa, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $699.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $75 - $150 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 Boise?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Boise. 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 Boise, ID

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Boise, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Des Moines, IA Boise, ID
Cost of living index87119
Average rent$1,150/mo$1,495/mo
Median home value$183,553$455,253
Average income$63,966/yr$81,308/yr
Unemployment rate5.9%3.6%
State income taxUp to 4.4%Up to 5.8%
Walkability score45/10088/100
Safety index57.8/10065.01/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Boise, ID 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 Idaho, 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 36 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,360-mile move like this one.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to Boise, ID, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,335 - $9,635 on the 1,360-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,363 - $4,723 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $849 - $2,381 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,994 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Albertsons and Albertsons Companies.

FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Boise, ID

How do I know a mover is licensed in Idaho?

In Idaho, in-state movers are regulated by and must register with the Idaho Transportation Department. In cases of unresolvable disputes with local movers, they may help.

What is the best time of year to move from Des Moines, IA to Boise, ID?

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 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

Is Boise a safe place to live?

Boise has a safety index of 65.01 out of 100 and a crime index of 34.99, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Boise, ID?

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 $974 - $1,971. 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.