($968+) Sacramento, CA to Des Moines, IA Movers
The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to Des Moines, IA ranges from $1,214 to $10,605, with an average cost of $3,800. Moves can be as low as $968 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,712 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 Sacramento, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Sacramento to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,214 - $10,605 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,800, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% 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 1,712 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 1,712-mile route from Sacramento to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,214 - $5,067 | $1,451 - $2,791 | $979 - $1,920 | $1,280 - $2,363 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,231 - $6,922 | $1,893 - $3,673 | $1,092 - $2,284 | $1,561 - $2,969 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,927 - $10,605 | $2,688 - $4,927 | $1,445 - $2,822 | $2,109 - $4,190 |
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 Sacramento, CA to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 1,712-mile relocation from Sacramento, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,214 and $10,605. 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 $333 - $2,220, 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 Sacramento typically charge a base rate around $287 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sacramento to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,214 - $5,067
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,231 - $6,922
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,927 - $10,605
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 Sacramento to Des Moines.
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 Sacramento, CA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 67% of Sacramento 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 packing80% of local movers | $555 - $5,550 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $222 - $1,332/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $333 - $2,664 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $1,110 - $3,330 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,775 - $11,100 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $831 - $1,580 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Premium Movers Inc. | $1,110 - $2,775 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Premium Movers Inc. | $888 - $3,885 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $333 - $1,665 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Premium Movers Inc. | $722 - $2,220 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $333 - $16,650+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $333 - $3,885+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,451 and $4,927. 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 Sacramento costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,451 - $2,791
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,893 - $3,673
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,688 - $4,927
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $83 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $167 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 $777 in Sacramento, 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 $1,451. 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 $1,893 - $3,673.
What are the best moving containers Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento:
- Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
- Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
- House to Home Moving (4.8/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to Des Moines, IA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,712-mile move from Sacramento, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $979 and $2,822, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $605 - $691
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $0.89
| 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 Sacramento to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $979 - $1,920
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,092 - $2,284
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,445 - $2,822
Pro tip: The base rate of $979 - $2,822 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Sacramento to Des Moines. Fuel ($605 - $691), lodging at around $167/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Sacramento, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $777.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $605 - $691 for the 1,712-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 $67 and $361, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $167 per night for hotel stops on the 1,712-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $333 - $500.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento 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 Sacramento, CA to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Sacramento, 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 $999 and $2,969.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,280 - $2,363
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,561 - $2,969
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,109 - $4,190
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?
- 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 $83 - $167 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Sacramento, California, for about five hours typically runs $777.
What are the best freight companies from Sacramento to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
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: Sacramento, 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 Sacramento on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Sacramento, CA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 127 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,899/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $483,739 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $83,753/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 49/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 50.79/100 | 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 Sacramento, 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 1,712-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,712-mile route from Sacramento, CA, to Des Moines, IA, run $1,214 - $10,605 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,451 - $4,927, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $979 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,231, 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 Sacramento, CA, to Des Moines, IA
What is the best time of year to move from Sacramento, CA to Des Moines, IA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How long does a move from Sacramento, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($605 - $691), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $167/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Sacramento, 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 $1,092 - $2,284. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Sacramento, CA to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $968 to $10,605, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,214 and $10,605, 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 percentage of Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.