($952+) Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA ranges from $1,307 to $10,066, with an average cost of $3,600. Moves can be as low as $952 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.
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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 $1,307 - $10,066 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,600, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% 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 1,648 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 | $1,307 - $5,239 | $1,376 - $2,670 | $922 - $1,884 | $1,329 - $2,379 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,224 - $6,961 | $1,944 - $3,734 | $1,104 - $2,287 | $1,540 - $2,866 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,366 - $10,066 | $2,448 - $5,303 | $1,272 - $2,795 | $1,959 - $3,919 |
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 Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA
For the 1,648-mile move from Riverside, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $1,307 and $10,066. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $340 - $2,268 (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 Riverside generally start 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: $1,307 - $5,239
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,224 - $6,961
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,366 - $10,066
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.
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 Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 53% of Riverside 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 packing73% of local movers | $567 - $5,670 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready53% of local movers60% 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 coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% 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 items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,134 - $2,835 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $907 - $3,969 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $340 - $1,701 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationally | $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?
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 Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,376 and $5,303. 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 Riverside costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,376 - $2,670
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,944 - $3,734
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,448 - $5,303
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 $1,376. 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 $1,944 - $3,734.
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:
- Trek Movers (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Riverside, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $922 - $2,795 for the 1,648-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- 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: $922 - $1,884
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,104 - $2,287
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,272 - $2,795
Pro tip: The base rate of $922 - $2,795 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Riverside to Des Moines. Fuel ($595 - $680), lodging at around $170/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $85 and $397.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $170.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $595 and $680 for the 1,648-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $794 for 2 movers in Riverside, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
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 well suited for larger moves from Riverside, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,540 and $2,866.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,329 - $2,379
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,540 - $2,866
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,959 - $3,919
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $85 - $170 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Riverside, California, typically costs $794.
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.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
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 use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Iowa over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 1,126 movers in our California network to compare for this 1,648-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,648-mile route from Riverside, CA, to Des Moines, IA, run $1,307 - $10,066 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,376 - $5,303, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $922 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,224, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
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
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 Riverside?
Local movers based in Riverside typically start around $239 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.
How much does it cost to move from Riverside, CA to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $952 to $10,066, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,307 and $10,066, 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 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 $1,104 - $2,287. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.