($990+) Ontario, CA to Des Moines, IA Movers
The cost to move from Ontario, CA to Des Moines, IA ranges from $1,245 to $10,362, with an average cost of $3,500. Moves can be as low as $990 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,649 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 Ontario, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Ontario to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,245 - $10,362 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,500, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% 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 1,649 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 1,649-mile route from Ontario to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,245 - $5,342 | $1,505 - $2,697 | $990 - $1,922 | $1,316 - $2,476 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,009 - $6,685 | $1,851 - $3,772 | $1,031 - $2,331 | $1,525 - $2,927 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,587 - $10,362 | $2,600 - $4,798 | $1,338 - $2,850 | $1,999 - $4,040 |
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 Ontario, CA to Des Moines, IA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,649-mile move from Ontario, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, with prices running from $1,245 - $10,362. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $319 - $2,124 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Ontario and Des Moines are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Ontario movers tend to run around $248 as a base rate plus $110/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Ontario to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,245 - $5,342
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,009 - $6,685
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,587 - $10,362
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 Ontario 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: 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 Ontario, CA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Ontario 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 packing76% of local movers | $531 - $5,310 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $212 - $1,274/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $319 - $2,549 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,062 - $3,186 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,655 - $10,620 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $795 - $1,511 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,062 - $2,655 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $850 - $3,717 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $319 - $1,593 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationally | $690 - $2,124 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $319 - $15,930+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $319 - $3,717+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Ontario to Des Moines?
Movers licensed to operate in Iowa are typically members of the Iowa Motor Truck Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Ontario, CA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Ontario, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Ontario, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,505 and $4,798. 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 Ontario typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Ontario to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,505 - $2,697
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,851 - $3,772
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,600 - $4,798
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $80 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $159 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 $743 in Ontario, 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 $1,505. 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 $1,851 - $3,772.
What are the best moving containers Ontario 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 Ontario 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 Ontario:
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Trek Movers (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Ontario, CA to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,649 miles from Ontario, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $990 - $2,850. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $557 - $637
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Ontario 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 Ontario to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $990 - $1,922
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,031 - $2,331
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,338 - $2,850
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $990 - $2,850 when pricing out a rental truck from Ontario to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $557 - $637, and overnight lodging ($159/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $557 - $637 for the 1,649-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 Ontario, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $743.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,649-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $159 per night, adding $319 - $478 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $53 and $319.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Ontario 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 Ontario, 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 Ontario, 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 $1,525 and $2,927.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Ontario to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,316 - $2,476
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,525 - $2,927
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,999 - $4,040
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Ontario, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $743.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $80 - $159 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 Ontario 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.
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: Ontario, 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 Ontario on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Ontario, CA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 119 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,619/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $564,076 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $82,806/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 48/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 49.75/100 | 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 Ontario, 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 1,126 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,649-mile route.
Our take
The 1,649-mile move from Ontario, CA, to Des Moines, IA, costs between $1,245 and $10,362 with full-service movers, $1,505 - $4,798 with a moving container, and $990 - $2,850 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 $3,009 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 Ontario, CA, to Des Moines, IA
What is the cheapest way to move from Ontario, 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 $1,031 - $2,331. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 long does a move from Ontario, 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 do local movers charge in Ontario?
Local movers based in Ontario typically start around $248 as a base rate, plus $110/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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Ontario, 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 percentage of Ontario movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Ontario handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.