($1,003+) Roseville, CA to Des Moines, IA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Roseville, CA to Des Moines, IA

The cost to move from Roseville, CA to Des Moines, IA ranges from $1,283 to $10,710, with an average cost of $3,950. Moves can be as low as $1,003 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 1,695 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 Roseville, CA to Des Moines, IA

Moving options from Roseville to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,283 - $10,710 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,950, 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 1,695 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 1,695-mile route from Roseville to Des Moines, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,283 - $5,189 $1,586 - $2,900 $1,013 - $2,047 $1,303 - $2,533
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,296 - $7,072 $1,910 - $4,098 $1,084 - $2,363 $1,591 - $3,053
4+ bedrooms $5,794 - $10,710 $2,714 - $5,493 $1,367 - $2,802 $2,127 - $4,093

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Roseville, CA to Des Moines, IA

Hiring full-service movers from Roseville, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,283 and $10,710. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,695-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $355 - $2,364, 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 Roseville and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Roseville tend to start around $260 plus $130/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 Roseville to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,283 - $5,189
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,296 - $7,072
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,794 - $10,710

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 Roseville 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 Roseville, CA to Des Moines, IA

Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Roseville 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$591 - $5,910
Storage in transitNew place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Double Move$236 - $1,418/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$355 - $2,837
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage54% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs38% of local movers$1,182 - $3,546
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,955 - $11,820
Car shippingSecond vehicle$885 - $1,682
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items69% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Auburn Moving & Storage$1,182 - $2,955
PianoAny piano type92% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Double Move$946 - $4,137
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling46% of local movers$355 - $1,773
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect46% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Auburn Moving & Storage$768 - $2,364
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$355 - $17,730+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$355 - $4,137+

What are the best full-service movers from Roseville to Des Moines?

Look for Iowa Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Iowa beyond this list.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Roseville, 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 Roseville, CA to Des Moines, IA

Moving containers from Roseville, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,586 and $5,493. 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 Roseville typically runs around $120/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Roseville to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,586 - $2,900
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,910 - $4,098
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,714 - $5,493

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Roseville, CA and Des Moines, IA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
  • Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $827 in Roseville, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $89 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $177 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
  • Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.

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 $1,586. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,910 - $4,098, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Roseville to Des Moines?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Roseville 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 Roseville:

  • Double Move (4.9/5), 3 years in business
  • Auburn Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 21 years in business
  • Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Roseville, CA to Des Moines, IA

Renting a moving truck for the 1,695-mile move from Roseville, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,013 and $2,802, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $637 - $729
  • Daily insurance: $35/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
  • Roseville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.29
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Roseville to Des Moines based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,013 - $2,047
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,084 - $2,363
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,367 - $2,802

Pro tip: A rental truck from Roseville to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,013 - $2,802. But once you factor in fuel ($637 - $729) , overnight lodging ($177/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.

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 $89 and $414.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $177.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $637 and $729 for the 1,695-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 $827 for 2 movers in Roseville, California, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Roseville to Des Moines?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Roseville, CA to Des Moines, IA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Roseville, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,591 and $3,053.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Roseville to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,303 - $2,533
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,591 - $3,053
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,127 - $4,093

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 $89 - $177 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 Roseville, California, typically costs $827.

What are the best freight companies from Roseville to Des Moines?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
  3. Button Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Button Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.

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: Roseville, 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 Roseville on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Roseville, CA Des Moines, IA
Cost of living index13987
Average rent$2,497/mo$1,150/mo
Median home value$630,401$183,553
Average income$117,354/yr$63,966/yr
Unemployment rate5.2%5.9%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 4.4%
Walkability score38/10045/100
Safety index80.11/10057.8/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Roseville, CA guide.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 1,695-mile route from Roseville, CA, to Des Moines, IA, run $1,283 - $10,710 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,586 - $5,493, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,013 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,296, 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 Roseville, CA, to Des Moines, IA

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 80.11 and 25.0 in Roseville. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

How walkable is Des Moines?

Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 38 and 59 in Roseville. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

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 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 Roseville?

Local movers based in Roseville typically start around $260 as a base rate, plus $130/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 percentage of Roseville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 92% of movers in Roseville handle piano moves, and 69% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.