($870+) Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Gilbert, AZ, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $888 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,720 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,389 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 $2,249, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,720 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,348 - $4,818, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $888 - $2,344.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Gilbert, AZ, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,048 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 Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Gilbert to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,048 - $7,076. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,389 miles, expect 3 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,389-mile route from Gilbert to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,249 for a studio up to $9,720 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,348 - $4,818 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $888 - $2,344, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,288 - $4,009, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA
For the 1,389-mile move from Gilbert, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $2,249 and $9,720. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $308 - $2,052 (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 Gilbert generally start around $140 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Gilbert to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,249 - $4,996
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,048 - $7,076
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,211 - $9,720
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 Gilbert to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Arizona to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Gilbert 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 packing98% of local movers | $513 - $5,130 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage | $205 - $1,231/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $308 - $2,462 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,026 - $3,078 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,565 - $10,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $768 - $1,460 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage | $1,026 - $2,565 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Just-In Time Moving & Storage | $821 - $3,591 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $308 - $1,539 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Just-In Time Moving & Storage | $667 - $2,052 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $308 - $15,390+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $308 - $3,591+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Gilbert 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 Gilbert, AZ. 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 Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Gilbert, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,348 and $4,818. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Gilbert costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Gilbert to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,348 - $2,644
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,720 - $3,547
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,482 - $4,818
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $77 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $154 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 $718 in Gilbert, AZ, 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 Arizona 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 $1,348. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,720 - $3,547, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Gilbert 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 Gilbert 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 Gilbert:
- Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- Just-In Time Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 21 years in business
- Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,389-mile move from Gilbert, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $888 and $2,344, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $453 - $518
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Gilbert daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Gilbert to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $888 - $1,767
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $979 - $2,102
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,257 - $2,344
Pro tip: The base rate of $888 - $2,344 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Gilbert to Des Moines. Fuel ($453 - $518) , lodging at around $154/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Gilbert, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $718.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $453 - $518 for the 1,389-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $62 and $333, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $154 per night for hotel stops on the 1,389-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $308 - $462.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Gilbert 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 Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Gilbert, Arizona, 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 $923 and $3,041.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Gilbert to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,288 - $2,287
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,476 - $3,041
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,908 - $4,009
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 $77 - $154 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 Gilbert, Arizona, typically costs $718.
What are the best freight companies from Gilbert to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Gilbert to Des Moines, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Gilbert, AZ 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 Gilbert on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Gilbert, AZ | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,250/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $518,558 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $121,351/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 29/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 85.23/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Gilbert, AZ guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Iowa, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 97 movers licensed in Arizona, useful context for sizing up this 1,389-mile move.
Our take
A move from Gilbert, AZ, to Des Moines, IA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,249 - $9,720 on the 1,389-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,348 - $4,818, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $888 - $2,344. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,048 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Gilbert, AZ, 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 ($453 - $518), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $154/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 Gilbert, AZ 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 85.23 and 14.77 in Gilbert. 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 Gilbert movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Gilbert handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
