($955+) Des Moines, IA to Moreno Valley, CA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Moreno Valley, CA, runs anywhere from $955 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,741 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,656 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,415, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,741 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,502 - $5,299, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $955 - $2,805.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Moreno Valley, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,092 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 Moreno Valley, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Moreno Valley: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,092 - $7,273. Moving containers run about 41% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 66% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,656-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,656-mile route from Des Moines to Moreno Valley, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,415 for a studio up to $9,741 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,502 - $5,299 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $955 - $2,805, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,364 - $4,240, 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 October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Moreno Valley, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,656-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Moreno Valley, California, with costs ranging from $2,415 - $9,741. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $314 - $2,092. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Des Moines and Moreno Valley. Local movers in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate plus $142/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Moreno Valley:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,415 - $5,302
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,092 - $7,273
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,925 - $9,741
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 Moreno Valley.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Moreno Valley, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Moreno Valley, 53% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing62% of local movers | $523 - $5,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $209 - $1,255/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $314 - $2,510 |
| 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 | $1,046 - $3,138 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,615 - $10,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $783 - $1,488 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $1,046 - $2,615 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $837 - $3,661 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $314 - $1,569 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $680 - $2,092 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $314 - $15,690+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $314 - $3,661+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Moreno Valley?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage 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 Moreno Valley, CA
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Moreno Valley, California, cost between $1,502 and $5,299. 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 Des Moines typically runs around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Moreno Valley:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,502 - $2,638
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,828 - $3,917
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,672 - $5,299
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $78 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $157 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Moreno Valley, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $732 in Des Moines, IA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to California 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 $1,502. 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 $1,828 - $3,917.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Moreno Valley?
- 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 Moreno Valley, CA
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Moreno Valley, California, range from $955 - $2,805 for the 1,656-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $551 - $630
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- 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 Moreno Valley based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $955 - $1,966
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,054 - $2,361
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,382 - $2,805
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Des Moines to Moreno Valley starts at $955 - $2,805, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($551 - $630), overnight lodging ($157/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $78 and $366.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $157.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $551 and $630 for the 1,656-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $732 for 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Moreno Valley?
- 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 Moreno Valley, CA
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 Moreno Valley, California.
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 $1,462 and $3,195.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Moreno Valley:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,364 - $2,447
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,462 - $3,195
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,934 - $4,240
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 $78 and $157.
- 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 Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly five hours typically average $732.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Moreno Valley?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Des Moines to Moreno Valley, 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: Des Moines, IA vs Moreno Valley, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Moreno Valley, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Moreno Valley, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 131 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $2,550/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $460,926 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $87,477/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 9.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 33/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 59.76/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Moreno Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 58 movers in our Iowa network to compare for this 1,656-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to Moreno Valley, CA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,415 - $9,741 on the 1,656-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,502 - $5,299 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $955 - $2,805 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,092 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Sunnymead Middle School and Family Service Association.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Moreno Valley, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Des Moines, IA to Moreno Valley, CA?
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 do local movers charge in Des Moines?
Local movers based in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate, plus $142/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Moreno Valley run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Moreno Valley, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 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 are the best neighborhoods in Moreno Valley?
For families, Rancho Belago, Sunnymead Ranch, and Hidden Springs are worth a look in Moreno Valley. If you're moving solo or without kids, Northridge, Box Springs, and Edgemont tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Moreno Valley, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,054 - $2,361. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 12% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.