($207+) Des Moines, IA to Kansas City, MO Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Kansas City, MO, runs anywhere from $207 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,276 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 $765, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $5,276 or more.
- Moving containers run $758 - $2,177, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $207 - $512.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Kansas City, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,383 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 Kansas City, MO
Moving options from Des Moines to Kansas City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,383 - $3,722 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 27% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 83% 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 Des Moines to Kansas City, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $765 - $3,385 with full-service movers, $758 - $1,383 with a container, $207 - $365 with a rental truck, or $684 - $1,233 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,383 - $3,722 full-service, $1,016 - $1,802 by container, $238 - $436 by rental truck, or $758 - $1,398 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $1,810 - $5,276 full-service, $1,343 - $2,177 by container, $283 - $512 by rental truck, or $971 - $1,833 by freight.
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 Des Moines, IA to Kansas City, MO
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Kansas City, Missouri, costs between $765 and $5,276. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 193-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $262 - $1,748, 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 Kansas City. 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 Kansas City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $765 - $3,385
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,383 - $3,722
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,810 - $5,276
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 Kansas City.
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 Kansas City, MO
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Kansas City, 61% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $437 - $4,370 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $175 - $1,049/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $262 - $2,098 |
| 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 | $874 - $2,622 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,185 - $8,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $655 - $1,244 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $874 - $2,185 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $699 - $3,059 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $262 - $1,311 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $568 - $1,748 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $262 - $13,110+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $262 - $3,059+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Kansas City?
- 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 Des Moines, IA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Des Moines to Kansas City with a local mover averages $1,452 - $3,908. For moves under 500 miles, local moving companies in Des Moines, IA can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to national carriers. Many price shorter moves using hourly or regional rates that may come in lower overall, with leaner operations and tighter service areas often translating to more flexible scheduling and a more personalized experience.
Keep in mind that not every local mover is authorized for moves that cross city or state lines. Always confirm interstate licensing and proper insurance before booking.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.56/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Des Moines, ranked #1 in Iowa, based on our analysis of feedback from 1,052 customers, 93.8% of which is positive.
Address: 2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA, 50322 | Founded: 1997
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Kansas City, MO
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Kansas City, Missouri, cost between $758 and $2,177. 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 Kansas City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $758 - $1,383
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,016 - $1,802
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,343 - $2,177
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $66 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $131 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $612 in Des Moines, IA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Kansas City, MO, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Missouri 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 $758. 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 $1,016 - $1,802.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Kansas City?
- 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 Kansas City, MO
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Kansas City, Missouri, range from $207 - $512 for the 193-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $54 - $61
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- 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 Kansas City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $207 - $365
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $238 - $436
- 4+ bedrooms: $283 - $512
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $207 - $512 when pricing out a rental truck from Des Moines to Kansas City. Fuel alone runs $54 - $61, and overnight lodging ($131/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $54 - $61 for the 193-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 Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours typically costs around $612.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 193-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $131 per night, adding $262 - $393 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $44 and $262.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Kansas City?
- 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 Kansas City, MO
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 Des Moines, Iowa, to Kansas City, Missouri. 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 $758 and $1,398.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Kansas City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $684 - $1,233
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $758 - $1,398
- 4+ bedrooms: $971 - $1,833
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $66 - $131 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about five hours typically runs $612.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Kansas City?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Kansas City. 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: Des Moines, IA vs Kansas City, MO
Day-to-day costs in Kansas City are close to what you're used to in Des Moines: cost of living index of 88 versus 87, with average rent of $1,300/mo compared to $1,150/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 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines versus 35/100 and 42.6/100 in Kansas City.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Kansas City, MO to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Missouri, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Iowa alone has 67 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 193-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 193-mile route from Des Moines, IA, to Kansas City, MO, run $765 - $5,276 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $758 - $2,177, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $207 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,383, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Kansas City tend to point to ample economic opportunity and delicious barbecue, though tornadoes and extreme weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Public School System and Federal Government.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Kansas City, MO
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Kansas City, MO?
Costs on this route range from around $207 to $5,276, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $765 and $5,276, 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 Kansas City?
Kansas City has a walkability score of 35 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 35, 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 ($54 - $61), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $131/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Missouri?
Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number.
What is the best time of year to move from Des Moines, IA to Kansas City, MO?
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 percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 12% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.