($1,047+) Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA ranges from $1,187 to $10,023, with an average cost of $3,700. Moves can be as low as $1,047 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,682 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 Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Los Angeles to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,187 - $10,023 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,700, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 34% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,682 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 1,682-mile route from Los Angeles to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,187 - $4,902 | $1,456 - $2,823 | $1,027 - $1,896 | $1,283 - $2,467 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,991 - $6,681 | $1,974 - $3,950 | $1,024 - $2,210 | $1,519 - $2,945 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,474 - $10,023 | $2,693 - $4,935 | $1,413 - $2,758 | $2,010 - $4,195 |
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 Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA
For the 1,682-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $1,187 and $10,023. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $396 - $2,640 (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 Los Angeles generally start around $200 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,187 - $4,902
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,991 - $6,681
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,474 - $10,023
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 Los Angeles to Des Moines.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Los Angeles 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 coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% 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 items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,320 - $3,300 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% 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% nationallyTop pick: 5 Star Moving | $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 Los Angeles 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Los Angeles, CA. 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 Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,456 and $4,935. 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 Los Angeles costs roughly $110/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,456 - $2,823
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,974 - $3,950
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,693 - $4,935
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $99 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $198 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 $924 in Los Angeles, CA, 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 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 $1,456. 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 $1,974 - $3,950.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles:
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Move Central Moving & Storage (3.9/5), 14 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $1,027 - $2,758 for a rental moving truck on the 1,682-mile route from Los Angeles, California, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $706 - $807
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,027 - $1,896
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,024 - $2,210
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,413 - $2,758
Pro tip: A rental truck from Los Angeles to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,027 - $2,758. But once you factor in fuel ($706 - $807), 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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $198 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 Los Angeles, California, usually costs about $924 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,682-mile drive falls between $706 and $807, 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 $66 and $396 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA
For larger DIY moves from Los Angeles, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Des Moines, Iowa.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,519 and $2,945.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,283 - $2,467
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,519 - $2,945
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,010 - $4,195
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 Los Angeles, California, for about five hours typically runs $924.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Los Angeles 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: Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,960/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $878,142 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $80,366/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 69/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 46.19/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Los Angeles, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California 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 1,126 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,682-mile move.
Our take
The 1,682-mile move from Los Angeles, CA, to Des Moines, IA, costs between $1,187 and $10,023 with full-service movers, $1,456 - $4,935 with a moving container, and $1,027 - $2,758 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 $2,991 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 Los Angeles, CA, 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,047 to $10,023, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,187 and $10,023, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,024 - $2,210. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($706 - $807), daily insurance ($40/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $26) on top. Overnight stops can add another $198/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.