($805+) Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Chandler, AZ, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $814 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,278 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 $2,147, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,278 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,366 - $4,461, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $814 - $2,238.
- 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 $2,767 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 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. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,767 - $6,296 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,399 miles, this route usually takes 3 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
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 makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,147 - $5,120 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,366 - $2,524), rental truck ($814 - $1,606), or freight trailer ($1,134 - $2,183). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,767 - $6,296 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $9,278.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 6, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,399-mile move from Chandler, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, with prices running from $2,147 - $9,278. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $308 - $2,052 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chandler and Des Moines are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Chandler movers tend to run around $168 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chandler to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,147 - $5,120
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,767 - $6,296
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,874 - $9,278
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: 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 Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% 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 packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $513 - $5,130 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage | $205 - $1,231/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $308 - $2,462 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage41% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $1,026 - $3,078 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,565 - $10,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $768 - $1,460 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items52% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage | $1,026 - $2,565 |
| Piano | Any piano type80% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: B Line Movers | $821 - $3,591 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling35% of local movers | $308 - $1,539 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: B Line Movers | $667 - $2,052 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $308 - $15,390+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $308 - $3,591+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chandler 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 Chandler, AZ. 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 Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Chandler, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,366 and $4,461. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Chandler typically runs around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chandler to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,366 - $2,524
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,642 - $3,317
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,253 - $4,461
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $718 in Chandler, AZ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $77 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $154 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Des Moines, IA, destination before booking.
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 $1,366. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,642 - $3,317, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chandler 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 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
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Just-In Time Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $814 - $2,238 for a rental moving truck on the 1,399-mile route from Chandler, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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 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 Chandler to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $814 - $1,606
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $880 - $1,833
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,166 - $2,238
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $814 - $2,238 does not include fuel ($457 - $522) , lodging ($154/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Chandler to Des Moines typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Chandler, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $718.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $457 - $522 for the 1,399-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $62 and $333, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $154 per night for hotel stops on the 1,399-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $308 - $462.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chandler 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 Chandler, AZ to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Chandler, Arizona, 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. Most moves on this route fall between $1,409 and $2,709.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chandler to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,134 - $2,183
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,409 - $2,709
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,784 - $3,753
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Chandler, Arizona, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $718.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $77 - $154 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Chandler to Des Moines?
- 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.
- 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 are a great option when you need your belongings in Des Moines fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
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 index | 113 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,250/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $469,102 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $103,691/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 76.61/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Iowa, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 100 movers licensed in Arizona, useful context for sizing up this 1,399-mile move.
Our take
The 1,399-mile move from Chandler, AZ, to Des Moines, IA, costs between $2,147 and $9,278 with full-service movers, $1,366 - $4,461 with a moving container, and $814 - $2,238 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,767 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
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 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Iowa?
When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements.
What are the best neighborhoods in Des Moines?
For families, Linden Heights, Waterbury, and Waveland Park are worth a look in Des Moines. If you're moving solo or without kids, Sherman Hill, Downtown, and East Village tend to be popular picks instead.
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.
What percentage of Chandler movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 80% of movers in Chandler handle piano moves, and 52% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.