($845+) Missoula, MT to Des Moines, IA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Missoula, MT to Des Moines, IA

Moving from Missoula, MT, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $795 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,262 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,281 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 $2,567, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,262 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,411 - $4,397, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $795 - $2,224.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Missoula, MT, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,543 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Missoula, MT to Des Moines, IA

Moving options from Missoula to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,543 - $7,760 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,281-mile route typically takes 3 to 8 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,281-mile route from Missoula to Des Moines, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,567 - $6,313 $1,411 - $2,625 $795 - $1,644 $1,257 - $2,250
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,543 - $7,760 $1,767 - $3,312 $950 - $1,995 $1,386 - $2,762
4+ bedrooms $5,737 - $11,262 $2,255 - $4,397 $1,182 - $2,224 $1,804 - $3,629

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Missoula, MT to Des Moines, IA

Full-service movers for the 1,281-mile relocation from Missoula, Montana, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $2,567 and $11,262. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $308 - $2,052, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Missoula typically charge a base rate around $342 plus $150 per hour, per mover.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,567 - $6,313
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,543 - $7,760
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,737 - $11,262

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 Missoula to Des Moines.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Montana to Iowa. 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 Missoula, MT to Des Moines, IA

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Missoula 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$513 - $5,130
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$205 - $1,231/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$308 - $2,462
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage33% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers$1,026 - $3,078
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,565 - $10,260
Car shippingSecond vehicle$768 - $1,460
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items46% nationallyTop pick: $1,026 - $2,565
PianoAny piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$821 - $3,591
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling67% of local movers$308 - $1,539
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: $667 - $2,052
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$308 - $15,390+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$308 - $3,591+

What are the best full-service movers from Missoula 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Missoula, MT. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.

Moving container costs from Missoula, MT to Des Moines, IA

Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,411 and $4,397. 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 Missoula costs roughly $100/month if you need it.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,411 - $2,625
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,767 - $3,312
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,255 - $4,397

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $77 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $154 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Des Moines, IA, 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 $718 in Missoula, MT. 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.

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 $1,411. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,767 - $3,312, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Missoula 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)

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 Missoula 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 Missoula:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 9 years in business
  • All Lanes Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 26 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Des Moines, IA

Renting a moving truck for the 1,281-mile move from Missoula, Montana, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $795 and $2,224, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $418 - $478
  • Daily insurance: $31/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
  • Missoula daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.09
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $795 - $1,644
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $950 - $1,995
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,182 - $2,224

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $795 - $2,224 does not include fuel ($418 - $478) , lodging ($154/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Missoula to Des Moines typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $418 - $478 for the 1,281-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Missoula, Montana, for about 5 hours typically costs around $718.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 1,281-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $154 per night, adding $308 - $462 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $51 and $308.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Missoula 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 Missoula, MT to Des Moines, IA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Missoula, Montana, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,386 and $2,762.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,257 - $2,250
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,386 - $2,762
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,804 - $3,629

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?

  • 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 $77 and $154.
  • 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 Missoula, Montana, for roughly five hours typically average $718.

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Jones Bros Trucking (4.58/5 stars): Jones Bros Trucking 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: If speed matters on your move from Missoula 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: Missoula, MT 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 Missoula on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Missoula, MT Des Moines, IA
Cost of living index11387
Average rent$1,322/mo$1,150/mo
Median home value$426,764$183,553
Average income$65,329/yr$63,966/yr
Unemployment rate4.4%5.9%
State income taxUp to 6.75%Up to 4.4%
Walkability score45/10045/100
Safety index66.73/10057.8/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Missoula, MT guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 1 quotes from Montana to Iowa, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 11 movers in Montana, so you have real options to compare for this 1,281-mile move.

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Our take

For a move from Missoula, MT, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,567 for a studio to $11,262 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,281-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,411 - $4,397. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $795 - $2,224, 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 $3,543 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 MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.

FAQs: Moving from Missoula, MT, to Des Moines, IA

What is the best time of year to move from Missoula, MT 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 Missoula, MT 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 66.73 and 33.27 in Missoula. 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 45 and 60 in Missoula. 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 Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 100% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, compared to 71% nationally.