($559+) Chattanooga, TN to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Chattanooga, TN, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $582 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,362 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 786 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 $1,749, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,362 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,140 - $3,571, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $582 - $1,642.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chattanooga, TN, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,565 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 Chattanooga, TN to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Chattanooga to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,565 - $6,217 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 786 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 786-mile route from Chattanooga to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,749 - $4,910 | $1,140 - $1,935 | $582 - $1,129 | $976 - $1,925 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,565 - $6,217 | $1,451 - $2,880 | $648 - $1,238 | $1,138 - $2,304 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,132 - $8,362 | $1,926 - $3,571 | $772 - $1,642 | $1,603 - $2,916 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chattanooga, TN to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 786-mile move from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $1,749 - $8,362. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $266 - $1,776. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chattanooga and Des Moines. Local movers in Chattanooga typically start around $280 as a base rate plus $99/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chattanooga to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,749 - $4,910
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,565 - $6,217
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,132 - $8,362
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 Chattanooga to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to Iowa. 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 Chattanooga, TN to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Chattanooga 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 packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $444 - $4,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Good Guys Moving & Delivery | $178 - $1,066/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $266 - $2,131 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $888 - $2,664 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,220 - $8,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $665 - $1,264 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Elizabeth's Moving & Storage | $888 - $2,220 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $710 - $3,108 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $266 - $1,332 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $577 - $1,776 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $266 - $13,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $266 - $3,108+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chattanooga to Des Moines?
All three below meet the standards set by the Iowa Motor Truck Association, the group most Iowa movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Chattanooga, TN. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Chattanooga, TN to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,140 and $3,571. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Des Moines. If you go over that window, storage in Chattanooga adds around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chattanooga to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,140 - $1,935
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,451 - $2,880
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,926 - $3,571
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Chattanooga, TN and Des Moines, IA. 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 $622 in Chattanooga, TN, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $67 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $133 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 Tennessee 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 $1,140. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,451 - $2,880, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga:
- Good Guys Moving & Delivery (4.8/5), 13 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 26 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chattanooga, TN to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 786 miles from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $582 - $1,642. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $222 - $254
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Chattanooga daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $0.99
| 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 Chattanooga to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $582 - $1,129
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $648 - $1,238
- 4+ bedrooms: $772 - $1,642
Pro tip: A rental truck from Chattanooga to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $582 - $1,642. But once you factor in fuel ($222 - $254) , overnight lodging ($133/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $133 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 Chattanooga, Tennessee, usually costs about $622 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 786-mile drive falls between $222 and $254, 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 $44 and $266 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga, TN to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Chattanooga, Tennessee, 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 Des Moines, Iowa.
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 $1,138 and $2,304.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chattanooga to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $976 - $1,925
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,138 - $2,304
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,603 - $2,916
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final 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 $67 and $133.
- 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 Chattanooga, Tennessee, for roughly five hours typically average $622.
What are the best freight companies from Chattanooga to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Covenant Logistics (4.8/5 stars): Covenant Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
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: Chattanooga, TN vs Des Moines, IA
Good news for your budget: Des Moines isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Chattanooga. Cost of living index runs 87 there against 90 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 29/100 and 46.11/100 here versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Chattanooga, TN guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to Iowa 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 70 movers based in Tennessee, handy for sizing up options on this 786-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Chattanooga, TN, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,749 for a studio to $8,362 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 786-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,140 - $3,571. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $582 - $1,642, 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 $2,565 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 Chattanooga, TN, to Des Moines, IA
What are the best neighborhoods in Des Moines?
For families, Linden Heights, Waterbury, and Waveland Park are worth a look in Des Moines. If you're moving solo or without kids, Sherman Hill, Downtown, and East Village tend to be popular picks instead.
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 29 and 35 in Chattanooga. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 46.11 and 53.89 in Chattanooga. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chattanooga, TN 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.
What is the best time of year to move from Chattanooga, TN 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 percentage of Chattanooga movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Chattanooga handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
