($694+) Des Moines, IA to Albany, NY Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Albany, NY, runs anywhere from $694 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,221 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,134 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 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 $2,217, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,221 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,143 - $4,139, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $694 - $2,012.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Albany, NY. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,653 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 Albany, NY
Moving options from Des Moines to Albany fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,653 - $6,210 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 71% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,134 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,134-mile route from Des Moines to Albany, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,217 for a studio up to $8,221 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,143 - $4,139 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $694 - $2,012, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,029 - $3,246, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Albany, NY
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Albany, New York, costs between $2,217 and $8,221. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,134-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $275 - $1,836, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Des Moines and Albany. For a rough baseline, movers based in Des Moines tend to start around $737 plus $142/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Albany:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,217 - $5,088
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,653 - $6,210
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,582 - $8,221
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 Albany.
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 Albany, NY
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Albany, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $459 - $4,590 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $184 - $1,102/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $275 - $2,203 |
| 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 | $918 - $2,754 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,295 - $9,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $688 - $1,306 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $918 - $2,295 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $734 - $3,213 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $275 - $1,377 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $597 - $1,836 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $275 - $13,770+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $275 - $3,213+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Albany?
Movers licensed to operate in New York are typically members of the New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s 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 Albany, NY
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Albany, New York, cost between $1,143 and $4,139. 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 Albany. If you go over that window, storage in Des Moines adds around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Albany:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,143 - $2,116
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,550 - $3,225
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,033 - $4,139
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Des Moines, IA and Albany, NY. 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 $643 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 $69 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $138 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 New York 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 $1,143. 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 $1,550 - $3,225.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Albany?
- 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 Albany, NY
A rental truck for this 1,134-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Albany, New York, costs between $694 and $2,012. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $331 - $379
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- 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 Albany based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $694 - $1,362
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $773 - $1,555
- 4+ bedrooms: $971 - $2,012
Pro tip: A rental truck from Des Moines to Albany looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $694 - $2,012. But once you factor in fuel ($331 - $379), overnight lodging ($138/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. 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 $138 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 $643 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,134-mile drive falls between $331 and $379, 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 $46 and $275 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Albany?
- 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 Albany, NY
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 Albany, New York.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,252 and $2,481.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Albany:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,029 - $1,944
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,252 - $2,481
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,593 - $3,246
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $643.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $69 and $138 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Albany?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Albany fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Albany, NY
Day-to-day costs in Albany are close to what you're used to in Des Moines: cost of living index of 99 versus 87, with average rent of $1,450/mo compared to $1,150/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines versus 65/100 and 49.65/100 in Albany.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Albany, NY 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 New York, 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 67 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,134-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 1,134-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Albany, NY, costs between $2,217 and $8,221 with full-service movers, $1,143 - $4,139 with a moving container, and $694 - $2,012 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,653 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include The Research Foundation for SUNY and Equinox.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Albany, NY
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Albany, NY take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 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 Albany, NY?
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. New York also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Des Moines, IA to Albany, NY?
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.
Is Albany a safe place to live?
Albany has a safety index of 49.65 out of 100 and a crime index of 10.0, 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.
How walkable is Albany?
Albany has a walkability score of 65 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 55, compared to 45 and 39 in Des Moines. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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.