($454+) Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Little Rock, AR, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $454 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,952 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 616 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,403, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,952 or more.
- Moving containers run $980 - $3,255, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $454 - $1,227.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Little Rock, AR, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,223 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 Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Little Rock to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,223 - $5,203 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 45% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 78% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 616 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 616-mile route from Little Rock to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,403 for a studio up to $7,952 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $980 - $3,255 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $454 - $1,227, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $900 - $2,604, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 616-mile move from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $1,403 - $7,952. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $250 - $1,668. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Little Rock and Des Moines. Local movers in Little Rock typically start around $100 as a base rate plus $94/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Little Rock to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,403 - $3,922
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,223 - $5,203
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,758 - $7,952
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 Little Rock to Des Moines.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 48% of Little Rock 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 packing67% of local movers | $417 - $4,170 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready48% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $167 - $1,001/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $250 - $2,002 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage6% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $834 - $2,502 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,085 - $8,340 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $625 - $1,187 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items11% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $834 - $2,085 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $667 - $2,919 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $250 - $1,251 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $542 - $1,668 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $250 - $12,510+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $250 - $2,919+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Little Rock to Des Moines?
Look for Iowa Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Iowa beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Little Rock, AR. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $980 and $3,255. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Des Moines. If you go over that window, storage in Little Rock adds around $65/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Little Rock to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $980 - $1,802
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,219 - $2,542
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,694 - $3,255
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Little Rock, AR, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $584, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $63 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $125 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Little Rock, AR, and Des Moines, IA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Arkansas 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 $980. 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 $1,219 - $2,542.
What are the best moving containers Little Rock 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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 17 years in business
- You Move Me (4.9/5), 12 years in business
- StoneBrook Moving
Moving truck rental costs from Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 616 miles from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $454 - $1,227. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $163 - $187
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Little Rock daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Little Rock to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $454 - $813
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $480 - $1,036
- 4+ bedrooms: $636 - $1,227
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Little Rock to Des Moines starts at $454 - $1,227, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($163 - $187), overnight lodging ($125/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $125 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $54 and $271 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $163 - $187 in fuel for the 616-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $584 in Little Rock, Arkansas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Little Rock 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 Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Little Rock, Arkansas, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Des Moines, Iowa.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,045 and $1,917.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Little Rock to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $900 - $1,671
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,045 - $1,917
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,315 - $2,604
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 $63 and $125.
- 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 Little Rock, Arkansas, for roughly five hours typically average $584.
What are the best freight companies from Little Rock 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 are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Des Moines quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Little Rock, AR vs Des Moines, IA
Day-to-day costs in Des Moines are close to what you're used to in Little Rock: cost of living index of 87 versus 81, with average rent of $1,150/mo compared to $1,100/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 33/100 and 39.94/100 in Little Rock versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Arkansas 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 70 movers in Arkansas, so you have real options to compare for this 616-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 616-mile route from Little Rock, AR, to Des Moines, IA, run $1,403 - $7,952 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $980 - $3,255, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $454 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,223, 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 Little Rock, AR, to Des Moines, IA
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $454 to $7,952, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,403 and $7,952, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $480 - $1,036. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($163 - $187), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $125/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 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 percentage of Little Rock movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Little Rock handle piano moves, and 11% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.