($1,073+) Moreno Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA Movers
The cost to move from Moreno Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA ranges from $1,346 to $10,731, with an average cost of $3,750. Moves can be as low as $1,073 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,652 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.
Compare moving options from Moreno Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Moreno Valley to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,346 - $10,731 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,750, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,652 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 1,652-mile route from Moreno Valley to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,346 - $5,123 | $1,558 - $2,820 | $1,083 - $1,980 | $1,321 - $2,589 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,111 - $7,255 | $2,033 - $3,904 | $1,116 - $2,262 | $1,594 - $3,060 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,620 - $10,731 | $2,586 - $5,391 | $1,363 - $2,968 | $2,218 - $4,228 |
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 Moreno Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Moreno Valley, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,346 and $10,731. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,652-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $340 - $2,268, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Moreno Valley and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Moreno Valley tend to start around $239 plus $150/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Moreno Valley to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,346 - $5,123
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,111 - $7,255
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,620 - $10,731
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 Moreno Valley to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Moreno Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 82% of Moreno Valley 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 packing100% of local movers | $567 - $5,670 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready82% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Burgess Moving and Storage | $227 - $1,361/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $340 - $2,722 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs31% of local movers | $1,134 - $3,402 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,835 - $11,340 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $849 - $1,614 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $1,134 - $2,835 |
| Piano | Any piano type73% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $907 - $3,969 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $340 - $1,701 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $737 - $2,268 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $340 - $17,010+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $340 - $3,969+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley, 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 Moreno Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Moreno Valley, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,558 and $5,391. 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 Moreno Valley costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Moreno Valley to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,558 - $2,820
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,033 - $3,904
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,586 - $5,391
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $85 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $170 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 $794 in Moreno Valley, 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 $1,558. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,033 - $3,904, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley:
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Burgess Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 80 years in business
- Alex Moving and Storage (3.6/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Moreno Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 1,652-mile move from Moreno Valley, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,083 and $2,968. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $596 - $681
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Moreno Valley daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.39
| 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 Moreno Valley to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,083 - $1,980
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,116 - $2,262
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,363 - $2,968
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,083 - $2,968 does not include fuel ($596 - $681) , lodging ($170/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Moreno Valley to Des Moines typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $596 - $681 for the 1,652-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Moreno Valley, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $794.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,652-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $170 per night, adding $340 - $510 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $57 and $340.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley, 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 Moreno Valley, 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,594 and $3,060.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Moreno Valley to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,321 - $2,589
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,594 - $3,060
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,218 - $4,228
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 $85 - $170 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Moreno Valley, California, for about five hours typically runs $794.
What are the best freight companies from Moreno Valley 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.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling 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: 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: Moreno Valley, 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 Moreno Valley on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Moreno Valley, CA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 131 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,550/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $460,926 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $87,477/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.1% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 33/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 59.76/100 | 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 Moreno Valley, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Iowa in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 374 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,652-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Moreno Valley, CA, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,346 for a studio to $10,731 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,652-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,558 - $5,391. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,083 - $2,968, 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 $3,111 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 Moreno Valley, CA, to Des Moines, IA
How much does it cost to move from Moreno Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,346 to $10,731, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,346 and $10,731, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Moreno Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What do local movers charge in Moreno Valley?
Local movers based in Moreno Valley typically start around $239 as a base rate, plus $150/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 long does a move from Moreno Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 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.
What percentage of Moreno Valley movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 73% of movers in Moreno Valley handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.