($1,000+) Des Moines, IA to Moreno Valley, CA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Moreno Valley, CA, runs anywhere from $990 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,731 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,361, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,731 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,543 - $5,552, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $990 - $3,025.
- 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 $3,403 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Des Moines, IA to Moreno Valley, CA
Moving options from Des Moines to Moreno Valley 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 $3,403 - $6,960 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,656 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
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:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,361 - $5,337 | $1,543 - $2,820 | $990 - $1,881 | $1,429 - $2,563 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,403 - $6,960 | $1,876 - $4,024 | $1,060 - $2,403 | $1,485 - $3,219 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,971 - $10,731 | $2,745 - $5,552 | $1,448 - $3,025 | $2,239 - $4,313 |
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 Des Moines, IA to Moreno Valley, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Moreno Valley, California, costs between $2,361 and $10,731. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,656-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $314 - $2,092, 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 Moreno Valley. 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 Moreno Valley:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,361 - $5,337
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,403 - $6,960
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,971 - $10,731
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: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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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 85% nationally. In Moreno Valley, 82% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $523 - $5,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% 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 coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% 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 items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $1,046 - $2,615 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $837 - $3,661 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $314 - $1,569 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $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?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Des Moines, IA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Moreno Valley, CA
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Moreno Valley, California, cost between $1,543 and $5,552. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Des Moines runs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Moreno Valley:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,543 - $2,820
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,876 - $4,024
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,745 - $5,552
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 $1,543. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,876 - $4,024, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 29 years in business
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Moreno Valley, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,656 miles from Des Moines, Iowa, to Moreno Valley, California, running $990 - $3,025. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- 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: $990 - $1,881
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,060 - $2,403
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,448 - $3,025
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $990 - $3,025 when pricing out a rental truck from Des Moines to Moreno Valley. Fuel alone runs ($551 - $630) , and overnight lodging ($157/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
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 $340 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $551 - $630 in fuel for the 1,656-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $732 in Des Moines, Iowa, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
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
For larger DIY moves from Des Moines, Iowa, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Moreno Valley, California.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,485 and $3,219.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Moreno Valley:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,429 - $2,563
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,485 - $3,219
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,239 - $4,313
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $732.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $78 and $157 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Moreno Valley?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
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 you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to California, 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 36 movers licensed in Iowa, useful context for sizing up this 1,656-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Des Moines, IA, to Moreno Valley, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,361 for a studio to $10,731 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,656-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,543 - $5,552. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $990 - $3,025, 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 $3,403 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 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.
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Moreno Valley, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,361 to $10,731, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,361 and $10,731, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
How walkable is Moreno Valley?
Moreno Valley has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 37, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($551 - $630), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $157/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.