Best Movers Near Des Moines, IA (2025 Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: We reviewed 37 movers across Iowa, and TWO MEN AND A TRUCK takes the top spot for local moves in Des Moines, IA. They impressed us with their fair prices, extensive service menu, and fantastic feedback from customers. Planning a move out of state from Des Moines? Go with Safeway Moving. They’re known for dependable service and budget-friendly prices.
Let's get moving.
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Safeway Moving
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TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
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Safeway Moving
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PODS
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HireAHelper
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Budget Truck Rental
Preferred partners
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Des Moines, IA
Getting ready to move in Des Moines or somewhere within 50 miles like Windsor Heights or Pleasant Hill? Check out these local moving companies. They’re recognized for their reliable service and competitive pricing.
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.56 out of 5 stars
- All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Black Belt Movers: 4.42 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $130/hr
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2468266
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 2378173
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $100/hr
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 1471037
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
Best movers for those moving out of Iowa
Planning a move to a new state? Make sure you choose a moving company with the proper federal license for interstate relocations. For a hassle-free move from Des Moines, IA, check out these top-rated interstate moving companies.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
Best moving containers in Des Moines, IA
Moving containers give you a flexible, middle-ground option between hiring full-service movers and renting a truck. You handle the packing and unpacking yourself, but a professional driver takes care of transporting your stuff — something you won’t get with a rental truck.
Container pricing in Des Moines depends on the number of containers you need and the distance of your move. To find the best deal, get quotes from several moving companies and compare both prices and services.
Kick off your search with these top-rated moving container companies:
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Best rental trucks for your Des Moines, IA move
If you’re looking to save the most on your move, whether you’re staying in Des Moines or heading out of state, renting a moving truck is the way to go. In Iowa, you’ll usually pay a daily rate of $19–$39, plus an added $0.69–$1.19 per mile.
Opting to rent a truck will save you money compared to hiring full-service movers or using a moving container, but remember — you'll be handling everything yourself, from packing boxes to driving the truck.
If you're planning a DIY move, take a look at our top picks for truck rental companies.
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Labor-only movers in Des Moines, IA
If you're renting a moving container or truck but could use a hand with the heavy lifting, hiring a labor-only moving company is a smart move. These pros will send a crew to handle loading and unloading your belongings, plus you can opt for extra help with packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, or even setting up electronics and gym equipment.
Here are our top picks for labor-only movers in Des Moines:
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How we chose the best movers in Des Moines
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 31 Iowa movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How do I find a reputable Des Moines mover?
If you’re trying to find the best movers in Des Moines, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Des Moines or a large van line company with years of experience operating all over Iowa, a good reputation is absolutely essential. Watch out for red flags and common moving scams.
- Look into dispute resolution: All businesses may have some hiccups, but how they handle these incidents that shows the company’s true colors. If a mover in Des Moines has a history of unresolved customer complaints, it might be best to look elsewhere.
- Make sure their experience aligns with your move: A mover with excellent reviews for local moves in Des Moines may not be the best interstate moving company. Verify that the company has adequate experience with the type of move you're planning.
- Get multiple estimates: Reputable Des Moines movers should provide a free estimate for your move. Getting moving quotes from multiple companies will give you a good idea of a fair price for the services you need.
Fortunately, the Des Moines movers on this list all pass this checklist with flying colors and have been hand-selected by our experts at moveBuddha.
If you want to broaden your search to the whole state, check out the best moving companies in Iowa .
Average cost of movers in Des Moines, Iowa
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Des Moines area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in Iowa for more pricing info.
Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move. You can also check out our moving cost calculator for a more accurate moving cost estimate.
You can also check out our moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimate.
Local moving costs in Des Moines
If you’re relocating within 50 miles of Des Moines, it’s considered a local move. When you rent a truck here, expect to pay a base fee of $ 19 to $ 39, plus a mileage fee that falls between $ 0.69 and $ 1.19 per mile.
Looking for some moving help? In Des Moines, you can hire movers for just $142 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $898 | $198 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,096 | $198 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,534 | $278 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $3,034 | $389 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,423 | $389 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $5,060 | $545 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Des Moines
The cost to move from Des Moines to another state largely depends on how far you’re going and how much you’re bringing from Iowa. To give you a clearer picture, check out these sample price estimates:
- Des Moines to New York Movers: $791 to $6,177
- Des Moines to California Movers: $1,097 to $7,324
- Des Moines to Illinois Movers: $338 to $4,458
- Des Moines to Texas Movers: $608 to $5,967
Don’t see your new home state? Check out these popular moving routes.
Factors that affect the cost of your move
- Distance: How much you’ll pay to move in Des Moines depends mostly on your destination. If you’re staying within 50 miles of Des Moines, expect lower costs compared to a long-distance move — like heading 450 miles across Iowa.
- Move size: The more belongings you’re bringing, the higher your moving bill will be. Larger loads mean bigger trucks and bigger price tags. If you’re heading out of Des Moines for a long-distance or interstate move, expect the moving company to price your move based on the weight and volume of your things. Try decluttering and downsizing to lighten your load and lower your costs.
- Moving method: Full-service movers tend to cost the most, while renting a truck is usually your cheapest bet. Just be sure to weigh what you’re getting for the price — saving money isn’t worth it if you end up missing out on the support you really need for your move.
- Additional services: Whichever type of move you choose, expect to pay extra for add-ons like packing services, help with heavy lifting, and full insurance coverage.
- The time of the year: Moving between May and September — also known as peak season — usually means higher prices and less availability due to increased demand. If you can, schedule your move from October to April to snag better rates.
FAQs
Are parking permits required for local moves within Des Moines?
special parking permits are issued by the Traffic and Transportation Division of the Engineering Department and are intended to provide for services or needs of an infrequent or unique nature. Examples include utility work, constructions, special events, etc.
If you need info on parking permits in Des Moines, head over to the local DOT website.
How can I make my Des Moines move more affordable?
If you need to save money on your Des Moines move, try scheduling during the off-season (October through April) and pick a weekday for the best rates. Don’t forget to ask your moving company about special deals or discounts, and don’t be afraid to negotiate to cut costs even more.
Is storage available through Des Moines movers?
Absolutely! Most moving companies in Des Moines offer both short-term and long-term storage options. Some have their own secure facilities, while others work with trusted third-party warehouses. Ask about available storage services and request quotes for any additional fees. If your Des Moines movers don’t provide the storage you need, reach out to at least three top-rated self-storage companies to compare. Reviewing all storage costs upfront will help you find the right fit for your move.
Is there a directory of moving companies in Iowa?
Discover all your moving options in Iowa with our complete directory of Iowa movers.
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