($821+) Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Gilbert, AZ, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $821 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,347 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,389 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 $2,230, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,347 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,271 - $4,362, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $821 - $2,444.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Gilbert, AZ, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,959 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 Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Gilbert 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 $2,959 - $6,545 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 69% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,389-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 1,389-mile route from Gilbert to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,230 - $4,762 with full-service movers, $1,271 - $2,445 with a container, $821 - $1,603 with a rental truck, or $1,144 - $2,245 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,959 - $6,545 full-service, $1,774 - $3,516 by container, $906 - $1,868 by rental truck, or $1,297 - $2,868 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,865 - $9,347 full-service, $2,272 - $4,362 by container, $1,186 - $2,444 by rental truck, or $1,891 - $3,635 by freight.
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 Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA
For the 1,389-mile move from Gilbert, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $2,230 and $9,347. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $308 - $2,052 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Gilbert generally start around $140 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Gilbert to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,230 - $4,762
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,959 - $6,545
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,865 - $9,347
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 Gilbert to Des Moines.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Gilbert 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 packing79% of local movers | $513 - $5,130 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% 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 coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% 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 items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $1,026 - $2,565 |
| Piano | Any piano type36% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $821 - $3,591 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $308 - $1,539 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $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 Gilbert to Des Moines?
Iowa Motor Truck Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Iowa, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Gilbert, 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 Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Gilbert, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,271 and $4,362. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Gilbert typically costs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Gilbert to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,271 - $2,445
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,774 - $3,516
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,272 - $4,362
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $77 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $154 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $718 in Gilbert, AZ, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Des Moines, IA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,271. 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 $1,774 - $3,516.
What are the best moving containers Gilbert 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 Gilbert 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 Gilbert:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 29 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,389-mile move from Gilbert, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $821 and $2,444, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $453 - $518
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Gilbert 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 Gilbert to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $821 - $1,603
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $906 - $1,868
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,186 - $2,444
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $821 - $2,444 does not include fuel ($453 - $518), lodging ($154/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Gilbert to Des Moines typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
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 Gilbert, Arizona, usually costs about $718 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,389-mile drive falls between $453 and $518, 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 Gilbert 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 Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Gilbert, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,297 and $2,868.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Gilbert to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,144 - $2,245
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,297 - $2,868
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,891 - $3,635
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 Gilbert, 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 Gilbert 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Gilbert, 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 Gilbert on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Gilbert, AZ | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,250/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $518,558 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $121,351/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 29/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 85.23/100 | 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 Gilbert, 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 242 movers licensed in Arizona, useful context for sizing up this 1,389-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Gilbert, AZ, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,230 for a studio to $9,347 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,389-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,271 - $4,362. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $821 - $2,444, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,959 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Gilbert, AZ, to Des Moines, IA
How much does it cost to move from Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $821 to $9,347, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,230 and $9,347, 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.
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 29 and 53 in Gilbert. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($453 - $518), 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 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 is the best time of year to move from Gilbert, AZ to Des Moines, IA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of Gilbert movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 36% of movers in Gilbert handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.