The BEST Long-Distance Movers in Ottumwa, IA

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Hi, I'm Ryan.
Let's get moving.

I've helped thousands of people move over the last decade, and I can tell you that no two moves are exactly alike. Let me help you find the mover that's right for you.

Preferred partner:

Bellhop Moving

4.2
Best overall value:

Safeway Moving

4.85
Best Ottumwa-based mover:

Bellhop Moving

4.62
Best for small moves:

MiniMoves

4.8
Best moving container:

PODS

4.8
Best labor-only mover:

HireAHelper

4.5
Best rental truck:

U-Haul Truck Rental

4.15

Need more help? Build your move plan.

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Preferred partners

Company	Quote	Rating
Bellhop Moving	Get A Quote	4.2 / 5
Safeway Moving	Get A Quote	4.85 / 5
Mayzlin Relocation	Get A Quote	4.9 / 5

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 long-distance movers in Ottumwa for those moving out of state

If you’re leaving Ottumwa and crossing state lines for a new home outside of Iowa, these are our recommendations for top interstate movers:

Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.85 / 5

Get A Quote

(855) 650-0657

At A Glance

GPS tracking en route
Veteran-owned
Dedicated move coordinator
Flat-rate pricing
Donates a portion of moves to charity

read our full review

Get A Quote

(855) 650-0657

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.9 / 5

Get A Quote

(980) 217-6841

At A Glance

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

read our full review

Get A Quote

(980) 217-6841

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

Get A Quote

866-835-2392

At A Glance

Experienced & fully trained moving crews
Specializes in moving art & antiques
Competitive pricing
Can handle last-minute moves
Climate-controlled storage

read our full review

Get A Quote

866-835-2392

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.75 / 5

Get A Quote

866-825-0554

At A Glance

Fragile packing
Storage options
24/7 shipment tracking
Quick & efficient
Accurate quotes

read our full review

Get A Quote

866-825-0554

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

Get A Quote

(844) 950-2963

At A Glance

Custom crates for electronics & art
Satellite shipment tracking
1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
Self-packing option
No deposit required

read our full review

Get A Quote

(844) 950-2963

Best long-distance movers in Ottumwa for those staying in state

Are you moving from Ottumwa but staying in Iowa? Depending on how far you’re relocating, some in-state moves are still considered long-distance.

If your move within Iowa is a couple hundred miles or more, you should hire one of the best long-distance moving companies.

Consider these top Ottumwa, IA, movers:

Preferred Partner

Bellhop Moving

Other top partners:

All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
Maher Bros. Transfer and Storage: 4.42 out of 5 stars
Lint Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars

Bellhop Moving

20 North Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103 US

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (30%)
Efficient service (27%)
Careful handling (23%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (30%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (25%)
Lack of communication (20%)

Review Analysis

Bellhop Moving draws applause for professional, courteous staff and speedy, efficient moves. Customers’ input highlights careful handling of belongings, clear communication, and a straightforward booking process. Many describe movers as friendly, organized, and respectful of both property and timelines. Yet, some feedback details significant issues, such as property damage, late or no-shows, and communication breakdowns. A sizable portion of feedback reveals frustration with damages and unresolved complaints, especially when compared to other services where reliability and handling of items were stronger. While most customers report smooth, affordable moves with attentive teams, those experiencing scheduling problems or delayed arrivals faced extra stress. Across 56 reviews, 63% praised Bellhop’s professionalism and efficiency, while roughly 36% encountered unpredictable timing or carelessness. Bellhop Moving receives broad endorsements for professionalism but falls short for some on reliability and item safety.

Get a Quote (866) 774-5063

Company Info

State license #: 2878240

DOT #: 2878240

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Storage
Pay by credit card
Deposit Required

All Mighty Movers LLC

59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA 50314 US

Customer Praise

Efficient service (44%)
Professional and polite staff (40%)
Good communication (36%)

Customer Complaints

Unexpected charges (36%)
Lack of communication (32%)
Damage to items (28%)

Review Analysis

Fast, affordable, and careful—most customer feedback praises All Mighty Movers LLC for their quick moving process, professional crews, and attentive handling of belongings. Out of 25 reviews analyzed, 64% are positive, often highlighting low rates, polite staff, and efficient service. Clients commonly appreciate how speedily and safely items were moved, noting that furniture and fragile goods arrived undamaged. Many mention the company beats local competitors in both price and quality, thanks to thoughtful movers who keep an upbeat attitude even with challenging jobs. On the downside, 36% of feedback centers on inaccurate estimates, unexpected charges, and unclear communication, especially regarding additional fees and scheduling. Some customers feel misled when final costs exceeded quoted amounts. Compared to many moving companies, All Mighty Movers earns high marks for efficiency and pricing but leaves room to improve transparency and customer relations, especially for billing and communication during more complex moves.

Get a Quote (515) 313-1395

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

Maher Bros. Transfer and Storage

370 50th Ave Dr. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 US

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (40%)
Careful handling (37%)
Good communication (34%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (25%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (22%)
Unexpected charges (15%)

Review Analysis

Maher Bros. Transfer and Storage stands out for professionalism, attentive movers, careful handling, and excellent communication, with 83.8% positive feedback from 68 customer reviews. Clients highlight efficient and friendly service, along with thorough protection of belongings. Occasional negative input (16.2%) points to damaged items, surprise charges, and delays as the primary concerns. Despite a few serious damages reported, the company receives more consistent praise for politeness, efficiency, and care than most competitors. Feedback suggests most moving experiences are smooth, with standout staff and reliability at the forefront.

Get a Quote (319) 229-2418

Company Info

Years in Business: 35

DOT #: 087390

Alternate Names: Maher Bros Transfer & Storage

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Art
Antiques
Crating
Shipment tracking
Storage

Lint Van Lines

4549 Delaware Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313 US

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (30%)
Efficient service (27%)
Good communication (25%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (18%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)
Lack of communication (12%)

Review Analysis

Moving with Lint Van Lines means your belongings are in the hands of a reliable and dedicated team. After evaluating 226 pieces of customer feedback, 91.6% were positive, reflecting a strong reputation for professionalism, efficiency, careful item handling, consistent communication, and speedy moves. Clients praised courteous staff and the stress-free organization, making long and local relocations easier than expected. On the downside, some experienced frustration from damaged items and delayed or poorly communicated deliveries, making claims difficult to resolve in a few cases. Compared to the moving industry, Lint Van Lines stands out for service quality and responsiveness but should improve consistency during claims and post-move support to satisfy every customer.

Get a Quote (515) 265-8161

Company Info

Years in Business: 65

DOT #: 543541

Alternate Names: Lint Van Lines

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Art
Antiques
Crating
Crane vans
Shipment tracking
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Pay by credit card

Best long-distance movers in Ottumwa, IA, for small moves

Did you know that most professional moving companies have a minimum requirement for the total weight of your belongings? This means that if you are moving a small amount of items, those companies will likely not be an option for your relocation.

Some companies, however, specialize in small moves. So, if you are moving a studio apartment or just have a few pieces of furniture to relocate from Ottumwa, check out these suggestions:

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.8 / 5

Check prices Visit Website

At A Glance

No minimum size
Top-quality materials
Full-service packing

read our full review

Check prices Check prices

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.7 / 5

Check prices 800-626-1257

At A Glance

Specializes in small moves
Guaranteed delivery date
Online chatbot and resources for a seamless move
Car shipping services
Gives back with charitable donations

read our full review

Check prices 800-626-1257

Moving containers for long-distance moves in Ottumwa, IA

Moving containers, also known as pods, offer short- and long-term storage so you can move from Ottumwa at your own pace. With this option, you pack and load the container yourself and the professionals drive the container to your new home for you.

Our top picks for moving containers for long-distance moves from Ottumwa include:

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.8 / 5

Get A Quote

At A Glance

30 days storage included
Local and long distance moving options
Unlimited loading/unloading time
Store on property or at a facility

read our full review

Get A Quote

Check prices

Licensed

Insured

Price

5 / 5

Check prices Visit Website

At A Glance

Long distance moves only
Only pay for the space you use
No deposit or initial fees
Fast delivery time frames

read our full review

Check prices Check prices

Rental trucks in Ottumwa, IA for a total DIY long-distance move

Rental trucks are often the cheapest way to move long-distance from Ottumwa, but also require the most work. You do everything yourself — from boxing up your belongings to loading, driving the whole way, and unloading on your own. Costs can increase dramatically when you add on mileage fees, tolls, and gas though so make sure this option really is cheaper for your move before making a final decision.

Here are our favorite rental truck companies for long-distance moves:

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.15 / 5

Check prices (800) 468-4285

At A Glance

More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive

read our full review

Check prices (800) 468-4285

Licensed

Insured

Price

4 / 5

Check prices (844) 847-9517

At A Glance

Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool

read our full review

Check prices (844) 847-9517

Labor-only moving companies in Ottumwa, IA

Labor-only companies handle the heavy-lifting for you, offering services related to packing, loading, and assembly. You’ll provide the truck, packing supplies, and other materials. Think of it as hiring professional movers without the truck.

Hire these top-notch labor-only movers for your long-distance move from Ottumwa, IA:

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

Check prices Visit Website

At A Glance

First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
$1,000 money-back service guarantee
Fast and accurate delivery times
Free damage coverage with additional coverage options

read our full review

Check prices Check prices

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.3 / 5

Get A Quote

(866) 774-5063

At A Glance

Quick and easy booking process
National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
Dedicated move concierge specialist
Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them

read our full review

Get A Quote

(866) 774-5063

Comparing the best long-distance movers in Ottumwa, IA

Company	Our Rating	Quote
Safeway Moving	4.85 overall rating	Get A Quote
Mayzlin Relocation	4.9 overall rating	Get A Quote
American Van Lines	4.5 overall rating	Get A Quote
Allied Van Lines	4.75 overall rating	Get A Quote
North American Van Lines	4.5 overall rating	Get A Quote

How we chose the best long-distance movers in Ottumwa, IA

Over the past 10 years, we’ve developed a rigorous review process to identify the absolute best moving companies. We look at:

Customer satisfaction (40%): Companies that consistently deliver services in a timely manner — with good communication and within the estimated cost — score the highest within this category.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry, so we look for companies that take a customer-focused approach to handling their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): We look at whether a company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): It’s important to us that a company maintains a professional website with accurate information and promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a wide breadth of services, including packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Read more about our moving company rating methodology.

Average cost of a long-distance move out of Ottumwa, IA

The average cost for professional movers in Iowa is $199 per hour, but even the best interstate moving companies need more information about the distance and size of your move to give you a moving quote.

Here’s the average long-distance move cost from Ottumwa, IA to popular cities:

Destination	Distance	Home size	Cost
Portland, OR	1,871 miles	3 bedroom	$5,562 - $8,643
Sioux Falls, SD	367 miles	2 bedroom	$2,086 - $5,307
Burlington, VT	1,180 miles	1 bedroom	$3,012 - $6,223

To get an accurate estimate of the cost for your long-distance move out of Ottumwa, use our moving cost calculator. And, be sure to check out our detailed post about moving costs in Iowa.

FAQs

What else should you know about moving out of state?

A moving company helping you move out of Iowa must be properly licensed and have a U.S. Department of Transportation number. Of course, all the Ottumwa movers we’ve included on this list have everything in order, but you can check for yourself on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database.

If you’re moving from one state to another, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move document from the FMCSA.

Should I use a local company or a national company when moving from Ottumwa?

If you’re moving across town, a local moving company in Ottumwa is going to be the most cost-effective approach. If you’re moving out of Iowa, using a national moving company like Safeway Moving comes with more experience, which may cost a bit more.

When is the cheapest time of year to move away from Ottumwa?

Moving companies in Ottumwa are usually slower in November and December due to the holidays and kids being in school, so you can negotiate with a mover more during those months and save some money.

What are the cheapest ways to move out of Ottumwa?

DIY moving will always be cheaper, especially when moving within 50 miles of Ottumwa. The cheapest options for moving out of Ottumwa are usually renting a moving truck like U-Haul or a moving container like PODS. We’ve also got a helpful guide if you’re looking for the cheapest ways to move out of state.