($923+) Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA

Moving from Chandler, AZ, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $897 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,338 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,399 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 to 8 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 $2,341, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,338 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,334 - $5,011, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $897 - $2,369.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chandler, AZ, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,078 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA

Moving options from Chandler 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 $3,078 - $6,527 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,399-mile route typically takes 3 to 8 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,399-mile route from Chandler to Des Moines, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,341 - $5,417 $1,334 - $2,463 $897 - $1,784 $1,200 - $2,287
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,078 - $6,527 $1,702 - $3,583 $989 - $2,062 $1,476 - $2,925
4+ bedrooms $5,106 - $9,338 $2,555 - $5,011 $1,270 - $2,369 $1,908 - $3,662

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA

Full-service movers for the 1,399-mile relocation from Chandler, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $2,341 and $9,338. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $308 - $2,052, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Chandler typically charge a base rate around $168 plus $85 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chandler to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,341 - $5,417
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,078 - $6,527
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,106 - $9,338

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 Chandler to Des Moines.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Arizona to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.

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Specialty moving services from Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA

Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Chandler movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing98% of local movers$513 - $5,130
Storage in transitNew place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage$205 - $1,231/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$308 - $2,462
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers$1,026 - $3,078
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,565 - $10,260
Car shippingSecond vehicle$768 - $1,460
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage$1,026 - $2,565
PianoAny piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$821 - $3,591
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers$308 - $1,539
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$667 - $2,052
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$308 - $15,390+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$308 - $3,591+

What are the best full-service movers from Chandler to Des Moines?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Iowa Motor Truck Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Chandler, AZ. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.

Moving container costs from Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA

Moving containers from Chandler, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,334 and $5,011. 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 Chandler runs about $90/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chandler to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,334 - $2,463
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,702 - $3,583
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,555 - $5,011

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 Chandler, AZ, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $718, 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 $77 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $154 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Chandler, AZ, 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 Arizona 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 $1,334. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,702 - $3,583, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Chandler to Des Moines?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Chandler 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 Chandler:

  • Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 9 years in business
  • Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
  • Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA

A rental truck for this 1,399-mile move from Chandler, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $897 and $2,369. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $457 - $522
  • Daily insurance: $31/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
  • Chandler daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chandler to Des Moines based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $897 - $1,784
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $989 - $2,062
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,270 - $2,369

Pro tip: The base rate of $897 - $2,369 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Chandler to Des Moines. Fuel ($457 - $522) , lodging at around $154/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $154 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 Chandler, Arizona, usually costs about $718 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 1,399-mile drive falls between $457 and $522, 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 $51 and $308 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Chandler to Des Moines?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Chandler, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $923 and $2,925.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chandler to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,200 - $2,287
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,476 - $2,925
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,908 - $3,662

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.

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 $77 - $154 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Chandler, Arizona, for about five hours typically runs $718.

What are the best freight companies from Chandler to Des Moines?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Chandler 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: Chandler, AZ vs Des Moines, IA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Des Moines, side by side with Chandler on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Chandler, AZ Des Moines, IA
Cost of living index11387
Average rent$2,250/mo$1,150/mo
Median home value$469,102$183,553
Average income$103,691/yr$63,966/yr
Unemployment rate5.3%5.9%
State income taxUp to 2.5%Up to 4.4%
Walkability score35/10045/100
Safety index76.61/10057.8/100
Air qualityGoodGood

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Chandler, AZ guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Arizona 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 97 movers in Arizona, so you have real options to compare for this 1,399-mile move.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 1,399-mile route from Chandler, AZ, to Des Moines, IA, run $2,341 - $9,338 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,334 - $5,011, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $897 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,078, 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 Chandler, AZ, to Des Moines, IA

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($457 - $522), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $154/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How walkable is Des Moines?

Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 35 and 55 in Chandler. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

How much does it cost to move from Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA?

Costs on this route range from around $2,341 to $9,338, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,341 and $9,338, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Chandler, AZ 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.

What do local movers charge in Chandler?

Local movers based in Chandler typically start around $168 as a base rate, plus $85/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 percentage of Chandler movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 77% of movers in Chandler handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.