($856+) Las Vegas, NV to Des Moines, IA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Las Vegas, NV to Des Moines, IA

Moving from Las Vegas, NV, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $928 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,092 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,414 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 $2,300, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,092 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,470 - $4,719, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $928 - $2,581.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Las Vegas, NV, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,162 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Las Vegas, NV to Des Moines, IA

Moving options from Las Vegas to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,162 - $6,624 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,414-mile route typically takes 3 to 8 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,414-mile route from Las Vegas to Des Moines, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,300 - $5,269 $1,470 - $2,590 $928 - $1,708 $1,197 - $2,283
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,162 - $6,624 $1,878 - $3,836 $1,014 - $1,949 $1,474 - $2,981
4+ bedrooms $5,214 - $10,092 $2,528 - $4,719 $1,227 - $2,581 $1,944 - $4,087

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 Las Vegas, NV to Des Moines, IA

For the 1,414-mile move from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $2,300 and $10,092. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $304 - $2,028 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Las Vegas generally start around $180 plus $90 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Las Vegas to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,300 - $5,269
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,162 - $6,624
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,214 - $10,092

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 Las Vegas to Des Moines.

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

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 Las Vegas, NV to Des Moines, IA

Specialty needs vary by market — 77% of Las Vegas movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$507 - $5,070
Storage in transitNew place not ready77% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Skyline Moving Service$203 - $1,217/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$304 - $2,434
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs41% of local movers$1,014 - $3,042
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,535 - $10,140
Car shippingSecond vehicle$759 - $1,443
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers$1,014 - $2,535
PianoAny piano type73% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Skyline Moving Service$811 - $3,549
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling45% of local movers$304 - $1,521
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Skyline Moving Service$659 - $2,028
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$304 - $15,210+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$304 - $3,549+

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

Movers licensed to operate in Iowa are typically members of the Iowa Motor Truck Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Las Vegas, NV. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.

Moving container costs from Las Vegas, NV to Des Moines, IA

Moving containers from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,470 and $4,719. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Las Vegas runs about $80/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Las Vegas to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,470 - $2,590
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,878 - $3,836
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,528 - $4,719

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $76 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $152 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 $710 in Las Vegas, NV, 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 Nevada 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 $1,470. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,878 - $3,836, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Las Vegas to Des Moines?

  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 Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas:

  • Skyline Moving Service (4.7/5), 8 years in business
  • All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 27 years in business
  • Move 4 Less, LLC (4.6/5), 21 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Las Vegas, NV to Des Moines, IA

A rental truck for this 1,414-mile move from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $928 and $2,581. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $456 - $521
  • Daily insurance: $30/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Las Vegas daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.89
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 Las Vegas to Des Moines based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $928 - $1,708
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,014 - $1,949
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,227 - $2,581

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $928 - $2,581 when pricing out a rental truck from Las Vegas to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs ($456 - $521) , and overnight lodging ($152/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $152 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 $66 and $330 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $456 - $521 in fuel for the 1,414-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $710 in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Las Vegas to Des Moines?

  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 Las Vegas, NV to Des Moines, IA

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Las Vegas, Nevada, 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 $913 and $2,981.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,197 - $2,283
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,474 - $2,981
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,944 - $4,087

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 $76 - $152 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 Las Vegas, Nevada, typically costs $710.

What are the best freight companies from Las Vegas to Des Moines?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Bulk Carrier Services, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Bulk Carrier Services, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

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 Des Moines 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: Las Vegas, NV vs Des Moines, IA

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

Measure Las Vegas, NV Des Moines, IA
Cost of living index11187
Average rent$1,850/mo$1,150/mo
Median home value$394,741$183,553
Average income$70,723/yr$63,966/yr
Unemployment rate8.9%5.9%
State income taxNoneUp to 4.4%
Walkability score93/10045/100
Safety index44.2/10057.8/100
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 Des Moines, IA to Las Vegas, NV guide.

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Our take

For a move from Las Vegas, NV, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,300 for a studio to $10,092 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,414-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,470 - $4,719. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $928 - $2,581, 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 $3,162 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 MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.

FAQs: Moving from Las Vegas, NV, to Des Moines, IA

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($456 - $521), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $152/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Iowa?

When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements.

What is the best time of year to move from Las Vegas, NV to Des Moines, IA?

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 Des Moines a safe place to live?

Des Moines has a safety index of 57.8 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 44.2 and 55.8 in Las Vegas. 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 Las Vegas movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 73% of movers in Las Vegas handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.