($222+) Kansas City, MO to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Kansas City, MO, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $222 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $4,679 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 193 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $797, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $4,679 or more.
- Moving containers run $735 - $2,245, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $222 - $491.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Kansas City, MO, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,343 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 Kansas City, MO to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Kansas City 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 $1,343 - $3,728 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 26% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 84% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 193-mile route typically takes 1 to 2 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 193-mile route from Kansas City to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $797 - $3,161 | $735 - $1,370 | $222 - $365 | $663 - $1,209 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,343 - $3,728 | $996 - $1,838 | $220 - $458 | $805 - $1,470 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,811 - $4,679 | $1,215 - $2,245 | $266 - $491 | $992 - $1,760 |
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 Kansas City, MO to Des Moines, IA
For the 193-mile move from Kansas City, Missouri, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $797 and $4,679. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $263 - $1,752 (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 Kansas City generally start around $251 plus $113 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Kansas City to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $797 - $3,161
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,343 - $3,728
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,811 - $4,679
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 Kansas City to Des Moines.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Kansas City, MO to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 61% of Kansas City 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 packing75% of local movers | $438 - $4,380 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready61% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $175 - $1,051/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $263 - $2,102 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $876 - $2,628 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,190 - $8,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $656 - $1,247 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $876 - $2,190 |
| Piano | Any piano type48% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $701 - $3,066 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $263 - $1,314 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Sunrise Moving and Packing - Kansas City | $569 - $1,752 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $263 - $13,140+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $263 - $3,066+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Kansas City to Des Moines?
Iowa Motor Truck Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Iowa, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Kansas City, MO?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Kansas City to Des Moines with a local mover averages $1,317 - $3,654. A local mover in Kansas City, MO is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.
Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.
Moving Proz (4.52/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Kansas City, ranked #9 in Missouri, based on our analysis of feedback from 3,665 customers, 96.0% of which is positive.
Address: 200 W 5th St, #607, Kansas City, MO, 64105 | Founded: 2016
Moving container costs from Kansas City, MO to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Kansas City, Missouri, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $735 and $2,245. 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 Kansas City runs about $75/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Kansas City to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $735 - $1,370
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $996 - $1,838
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,215 - $2,245
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $66 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $131 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 $613 in Kansas City, MO. 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 Missouri 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 $735. 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 $996 - $1,838.
What are the best moving containers Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City:
- Moving Proz (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- The Dudes Moving Company LLC (4.9/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Kansas City, MO to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 193-mile move from Kansas City, Missouri, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $222 and $491. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $54 - $61
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Kansas City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Kansas City to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $222 - $365
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $220 - $458
- 4+ bedrooms: $266 - $491
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $222 - $491 does not include fuel ($54 - $61), lodging ($131/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Kansas City to Des Moines typically runs more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $131 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Kansas City, Missouri, usually costs about $613 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 193-mile drive falls between $54 and $61, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $44 and $263 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Kansas City 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 Kansas City, MO to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Kansas City, Missouri, to Des Moines, Iowa. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $805 and $1,470.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Kansas City to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $663 - $1,209
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $805 - $1,470
- 4+ bedrooms: $992 - $1,760
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 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 $66 and $131.
- 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 Kansas City, Missouri, for roughly five hours typically average $613.
What are the best freight companies from Kansas City 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Kansas City to Des Moines. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Kansas City, MO vs Des Moines, IA
Good news for your budget: Des Moines isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Kansas City. Cost of living index runs 87 there against 88 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 35/100 and 42.6/100 here versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Kansas City, MO guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Missouri 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 138 movers in Missouri, so you have real options to compare for this 193-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 193-mile route from Kansas City, MO, to Des Moines, IA, run $797 - $4,679 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $735 - $2,245, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $222 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,343, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Kansas City, MO, to Des Moines, IA
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.
How long does a move from Kansas City, MO to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 2 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 do local movers charge in Kansas City?
Local movers based in Kansas City typically start around $251 as a base rate, plus $113/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 Des Moines run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Kansas City, MO 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.
How much does it cost to move from Kansas City, MO to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $222 to $4,679, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $797 and $4,679, 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.
What percentage of Kansas City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 48% of movers in Kansas City handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.