($1,074+) Modesto, CA to Des Moines, IA Movers

Full-service moving costs from Modesto, CA to Des Moines, IA

For the 1,787-mile move from Modesto, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $1,384 and $10,391. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $313 - $2,088 (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 Modesto generally start around $314 plus $128 per hour, per mover.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,384 - $5,290
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,355 - $7,505
• 4+ bedrooms: $6,023 - $10,391

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 Modesto to Des Moines.

Specialty moving services from Modesto, CA to Des Moines, IA

Specialty needs vary by market — 79% of Modesto movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.

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

All three below meet the standards set by the Iowa Motor Truck Association, the group most Iowa movers are affiliated with.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Moving container costs from Modesto, CA to Des Moines, IA

Moving containers from Modesto, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,569 and $5,687. 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 Modesto typically runs around $120/month.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,569 - $3,024
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,008 - $3,983
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,910 - $5,687

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Access: Most major container brands operate in both Modesto, CA 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 $731 in Modesto, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
• Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $78 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $157 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.

What are the best moving containers Modesto 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)

Moving truck rental costs from Modesto, CA to Des Moines, IA

Truck rentals from Modesto, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $1,052 - $2,978 for the 1,787-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

• Fuel for the drive: $594 - $678
• Daily insurance: $31/day
• Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
• Modesto daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.29

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,052 - $2,214
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,162 - $2,634
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,509 - $2,978

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $157 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 $68 and $339 to your total.
• Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
• Gas: Plan on spending $594 - $678 in fuel for the 1,787-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
• Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $731 in Modesto, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Modesto 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 Modesto, CA to Des Moines, IA

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Modesto, California, 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 $940 and $3,187.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,384 - $2,615
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,623 - $3,187
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,150 - $4,504

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 $78 - $157 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 Modesto, California, typically costs $731.

What are the best freight companies from Modesto to Des Moines?

1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
3. Speed Intermodal (4.7/5 stars): Speed Intermodal is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.

Cost of living: Modesto, CA 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 Modesto on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.