($456+) Cheyenne, WY to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Cheyenne, WY, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $456 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,995 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 628 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,721, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,995 or more.
- Moving containers run $951 - $3,302, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $456 - $1,313.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Cheyenne, WY, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,593 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Cheyenne, WY to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Cheyenne to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,593 - $6,238 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 51% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 81% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 628 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 628-mile route from Cheyenne to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,721 - $4,961 | $951 - $1,807 | $456 - $853 | $855 - $1,626 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,593 - $6,238 | $1,258 - $2,601 | $497 - $1,044 | $996 - $2,021 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,448 - $8,995 | $1,731 - $3,302 | $652 - $1,313 | $1,317 - $2,666 |
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 Cheyenne, WY to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,721 and $8,995. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 628-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $284 - $1,896, 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 Cheyenne and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Cheyenne tend to start around $290 plus $99/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 Cheyenne to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,721 - $4,961
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,593 - $6,238
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,448 - $8,995
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 Cheyenne to Des Moines.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Cheyenne, WY to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 86% of Cheyenne movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $474 - $4,740 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Arrow Moving & Storage Company Inc | $190 - $1,138/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $284 - $2,275 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs71% of local movers | $948 - $2,844 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,370 - $9,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $710 - $1,349 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $948 - $2,370 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $758 - $3,318 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $284 - $1,422 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $616 - $1,896 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $284 - $14,220+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $284 - $3,318+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Cheyenne to Des Moines?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Iowa Motor Truck 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 Cheyenne, WY. 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 Cheyenne, WY to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $951 and $3,302. 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 Des Moines. If you go over that window, storage in Cheyenne adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Cheyenne to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $951 - $1,807
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,258 - $2,601
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,731 - $3,302
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $664 in Cheyenne, WY. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $71 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $142 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Des Moines, IA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Wyoming 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 $951. 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 $1,258 - $2,601.
What are the best moving containers Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne:
- Little Guys Movers (4.9/5), 34 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.2/5)
- Choice Moving Company (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Cheyenne, WY to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 628 miles from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $456 - $1,313. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $189 - $216
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $456 - $853
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $497 - $1,044
- 4+ bedrooms: $652 - $1,313
Pro tip: A rental truck from Cheyenne to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $456 - $1,313. But once you factor in fuel ($189 - $216), overnight lodging ($142/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $71 and $332.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $142.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $189 and $216 for the 628-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 $664 for 2 movers in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne, WY to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Des Moines, Iowa, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $996 and $2,021.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Cheyenne to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $855 - $1,626
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $996 - $2,021
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,317 - $2,666
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Cheyenne, Wyoming, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $664.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $71 - $142 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Cheyenne to Des Moines?
- 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: 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: Cheyenne, WY vs Des Moines, IA
Day-to-day costs in Des Moines are close to what you're used to in Cheyenne: cost of living index of 87 versus 100, with average rent of $1,150/mo compared to $1,295/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 36/100 and 80.15/100 in Cheyenne versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Cheyenne, WY guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 5 real quotes from Wyoming to Iowa 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 13 movers in our Wyoming network to compare for this 628-mile move.
Our take
The 628-mile move from Cheyenne, WY, to Des Moines, IA, costs between $1,721 and $8,995 with full-service movers, $951 - $3,302 with a moving container, and $456 - $1,313 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 $2,593 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 MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Cheyenne, WY, to Des Moines, IA
What is the best time of year to move from Cheyenne, WY 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Cheyenne, WY to Des Moines, IA?
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 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 80.15 and 19.85 in Cheyenne. 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 Des Moines?
Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 36 and 49 in Cheyenne. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Des Moines?
For families, Linden Heights, Waterbury, and Waveland Park are worth a look in Des Moines. If you're moving solo or without kids, Sherman Hill, Downtown, and East Village tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Cheyenne movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Cheyenne handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.