($701+) Wilmington, DE to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $701 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,686 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,069 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,916, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,686 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,234 - $3,851, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $701 - $1,964.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Wilmington, DE, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,510 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Wilmington, DE to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Wilmington to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,510 - $5,418 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 71% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,069-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,069-mile route from Wilmington to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,916 - $4,353 | $1,234 - $2,231 | $701 - $1,331 | $1,088 - $1,989 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,510 - $5,418 | $1,525 - $2,891 | $727 - $1,598 | $1,209 - $2,386 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,916 - $7,686 | $2,081 - $3,851 | $970 - $1,964 | $1,632 - $3,178 |
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 Wilmington, DE to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Wilmington, Delaware, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,916 and $7,686. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,069-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $292 - $1,944, 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 Wilmington and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Wilmington tend to start around $334 plus $150/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 Wilmington to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,916 - $4,353
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,510 - $5,418
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,916 - $7,686
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 Wilmington to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Delaware 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 Wilmington, DE to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Wilmington 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 | $486 - $4,860 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $194 - $1,166/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $292 - $2,333 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $972 - $2,916 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,430 - $9,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $728 - $1,383 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $972 - $2,430 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $778 - $3,402 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $292 - $1,458 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $632 - $1,944 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $292 - $14,580+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $292 - $3,402+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Wilmington 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Wilmington, DE. 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 Wilmington, DE to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Wilmington, Delaware, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,234 and $3,851. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Wilmington typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Wilmington to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,234 - $2,231
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,525 - $2,891
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,081 - $3,851
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $73 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $146 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Des Moines, IA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $680 in Wilmington, DE. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Delaware 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 $1,234. 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 $1,525 - $2,891.
What are the best moving containers Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- All Around Moverz (4.6/5), 16 years in business
- Forward Moving LLC (4.9/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Wilmington, DE to Des Moines, IA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,069-mile move from Wilmington, Delaware, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $701 and $1,964, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $331 - $378
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Wilmington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Wilmington to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $701 - $1,331
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $727 - $1,598
- 4+ bedrooms: $970 - $1,964
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $701 - $1,964 does not include fuel ($331 - $378), lodging ($146/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Wilmington to Des Moines typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $146 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Wilmington, Delaware, usually costs about $680 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,069-mile drive falls between $331 and $378, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $49 and $292 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Wilmington 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 Wilmington, DE to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Wilmington, Delaware, 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 $1,209 and $2,386.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Wilmington to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,088 - $1,989
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,209 - $2,386
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,632 - $3,178
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a 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 $73 - $146 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Wilmington, Delaware, for about five hours typically runs $680.
What are the best freight companies from Wilmington 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: Wilmington, DE 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 Wilmington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Wilmington, DE | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 104 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,812/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $224,861 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $55,269/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.3% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 6.6% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 74/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 32.68/100 | 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 Wilmington, DE guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Delaware to Iowa, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 14 movers licensed in Delaware, useful context for sizing up this 1,069-mile move.
Our take
A move from Wilmington, DE, to Des Moines, IA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,916 - $7,686 on the 1,069-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,234 - $3,851, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $701 - $1,964. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,510 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Des Moines, IA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($331 - $378), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $146/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Wilmington, DE to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 is the best time of year to move from Wilmington, DE 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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Wilmington, DE 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.
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 32.68 and 67.32 in Wilmington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Wilmington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Wilmington handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.