($923+) Scottsdale, AZ to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $888 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,148 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,388 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 $2,226, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,148 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,403 - $4,914, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $888 - $2,443.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Scottsdale, AZ, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,958 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Scottsdale to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,958 - $7,076. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,388 miles, expect 3 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,388-mile route from Scottsdale to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,226 for a studio up to $9,148 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,403 - $4,914 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $888 - $2,443, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,225 - $3,700, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Scottsdale, AZ to Des Moines, IA
For the 1,388-mile move from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $2,226 and $9,148. 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 Scottsdale generally start around $155 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Scottsdale to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,226 - $5,259
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,958 - $7,076
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,367 - $9,148
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 Scottsdale 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: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Scottsdale, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Scottsdale 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 packing98% of local movers | $513 - $5,130 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Camelback Moving | $205 - $1,231/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $308 - $2,462 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% 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 items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage | $1,026 - $2,565 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $821 - $3,591 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $308 - $1,539 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $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 Scottsdale to Des Moines?
All three below meet the standards set by the Iowa Motor Truck Association, the group most Iowa movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Scottsdale, AZ. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Scottsdale, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,403 and $4,914. 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 Scottsdale typically runs around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Scottsdale to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,403 - $2,722
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,702 - $3,547
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,458 - $4,914
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 Scottsdale, 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 $1,403. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,702 - $3,547, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale:
- Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business
- Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Scottsdale, AZ to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $888 - $2,443 for the 1,388-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $453 - $518
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $888 - $1,733
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $912 - $2,082
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,233 - $2,443
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Scottsdale to Des Moines starts at $888 - $2,443, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($453 - $518) , overnight lodging ($154/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $154 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 $67 and $333 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $453 - $518 in fuel for the 1,388-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $718 in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Scottsdale, 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 $1,375 and $2,751.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Scottsdale to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,225 - $2,310
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,375 - $2,751
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,888 - $3,700
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?
- 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 Scottsdale, Arizona, for about five hours typically runs $718.
What are the best freight companies from Scottsdale to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Scottsdale to Des Moines, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Scottsdale, AZ | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 87 |
| Average rent | $3,300/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $709,486 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $107,372/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 32/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 74.2/100 | 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 Scottsdale, AZ guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Iowa, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Arizona alone has 97 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,388-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Scottsdale, AZ, to Des Moines, IA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,226 - $9,148 on the 1,388-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,403 - $4,914 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $888 - $2,443 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,958 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to Des Moines, IA
What do local movers charge in Scottsdale?
Local movers based in Scottsdale typically start around $155 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 32 and 56 in Scottsdale. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Des Moines a safe place to live?
Des Moines has a safety index of 57.8 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 74.2 and 25.8 in Scottsdale. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Scottsdale movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Scottsdale handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
