($957+) Long Beach, CA to Des Moines, IA Movers
The cost to move from Long Beach, CA to Des Moines, IA ranges from $1,287 to $10,424, with an average cost of $3,550. Moves can be as low as $957 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,695 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Long Beach, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Long Beach to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,287 - $10,424 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,550, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 64% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,695 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,695-mile route from Long Beach to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,287 - $4,902 | $1,397 - $2,823 | $957 - $2,011 | $1,257 - $2,368 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,991 - $7,029 | $1,786 - $3,643 | $1,088 - $2,301 | $1,458 - $3,068 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,813 - $10,424 | $2,539 - $5,141 | $1,359 - $2,758 | $2,010 - $3,989 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Long Beach, CA to Des Moines, IA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,695-mile move from Long Beach, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, with prices running from $1,287 - $10,424. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $396 - $2,640 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Long Beach and Des Moines are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Long Beach movers tend to run around $162 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Long Beach to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,287 - $4,902
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,991 - $7,029
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,813 - $10,424
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 Long Beach to Des Moines.
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 Long Beach, CA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Long Beach movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $660 - $6,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $264 - $1,584/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $396 - $3,168 |
| 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 | $1,320 - $3,960 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,300 - $13,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $989 - $1,878 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,320 - $3,300 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,056 - $4,620 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $396 - $1,980 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationally | $858 - $2,640 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $396 - $19,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $396 - $4,620+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Long Beach 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Long Beach, CA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Long Beach, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Long Beach, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,397 and $5,141. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Long Beach costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Long Beach to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,397 - $2,823
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,786 - $3,643
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,539 - $5,141
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $99 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $198 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Des Moines, IA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $924 in Long Beach, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California 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 $1,397. 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 $1,786 - $3,643.
What are the best moving containers Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach:
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Long Beach, CA to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,695 miles from Long Beach, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $957 - $2,758. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $712 - $814
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Long Beach daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Long Beach to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $957 - $2,011
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,088 - $2,301
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,359 - $2,758
Pro tip: A rental truck from Long Beach to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $957 - $2,758. But once you factor in fuel ($712 - $814), overnight lodging ($198/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Long Beach, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $924.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $712 - $814 for the 1,695-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 $79 and $429, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $198 per night for hotel stops on the 1,695-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $396 - $594.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Long Beach 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 Long Beach, CA 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 Long Beach, California, 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 $1,458 and $3,068.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Long Beach to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,257 - $2,368
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,458 - $3,068
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,010 - $3,989
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final 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 $99 - $198 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Long Beach, California, for about five hours typically runs $924.
What are the best freight companies from Long Beach to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
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: Long Beach, CA 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 Long Beach on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Long Beach, CA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,075/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $762,188 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $83,969/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 73/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 41.42/100 | 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 Long Beach, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California 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 1,126 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,695-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Long Beach, CA, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,287 for a studio to $10,424 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,695-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,397 - $5,141. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $957 - $2,758, 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 $2,991 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 Long Beach, CA, to Des Moines, IA
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 73 and 70 in Long Beach. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 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 do local movers charge in Long Beach?
Local movers based in Long Beach typically start around $162 as a base rate, plus $75/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 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.
What percentage of Long Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Long Beach handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.