($1,048+) Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA ranges from $1,343 to $10,442, with an average cost of $3,850. Moves can be as low as $1,048 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,648 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 Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Riverside to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,343 - $10,442 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,850, 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 1,648 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 1,648-mile route from Riverside to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,343 - $5,650 | $1,501 - $2,939 | $1,017 - $2,052 | $1,325 - $2,619 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,249 - $7,365 | $1,998 - $3,754 | $1,113 - $2,279 | $1,520 - $3,035 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,911 - $10,442 | $2,750 - $5,397 | $1,402 - $2,730 | $2,031 - $4,360 |
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 Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 1,648-mile relocation from Riverside, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,343 and $10,442. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $340 - $2,268, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Riverside typically charge a base rate around $239 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Riverside to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,343 - $5,650
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,249 - $7,365
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,911 - $10,442
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 Riverside 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: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Riverside 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 ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $227 - $1,361/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $340 - $2,722 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% 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 items62% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,134 - $2,835 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $907 - $3,969 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $340 - $1,701 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% 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 Riverside to Des Moines?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Iowa Motor Truck Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Riverside, CA. 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 Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,501 and $5,397. 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 Riverside typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,501 - $2,939
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,998 - $3,754
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,750 - $5,397
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $85 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $170 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 $794 in Riverside, 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 $1,501. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,998 - $3,754, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Riverside 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 Riverside 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 Riverside:
- 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 Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $1,017 - $2,730 for a rental moving truck on the 1,648-mile route from Riverside, California, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $595 - $680
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Riverside 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 Riverside to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,017 - $2,052
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,113 - $2,279
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,402 - $2,730
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Riverside to Des Moines starts at $1,017 - $2,730, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($595 - $680) , overnight lodging ($170/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Riverside, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $794.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $595 - $680 for the 1,648-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 $68 and $369, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $170 per night for hotel stops on the 1,648-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $340 - $510.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Riverside 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 Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Riverside, California, to Des Moines, Iowa. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,021 and $3,035.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,325 - $2,619
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,520 - $3,035
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,031 - $4,360
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Riverside, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $794.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $85 and $170 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside 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 a great option when you need your belongings in Des Moines fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Riverside, 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 Riverside on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Riverside, CA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 131 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,295/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $539,898 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $88,575/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 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 Riverside, 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 1,648-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Riverside, CA, 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 $1,343 - $10,442 on the 1,648-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,501 - $5,397 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,017 - $2,730 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,249 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 Riverside, 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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 59.76 and 40.24 in Riverside. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Riverside, 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 $1,113 - $2,279. 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 Riverside, 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 percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 62% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.