($802+) Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Jacksonville, FL, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $802 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,300 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,247 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 $1,919, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,300 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,209 - $4,404, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $802 - $2,094.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Jacksonville, FL, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,467 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Jacksonville to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,467 - $5,764. Moving containers run about 32% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 68% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,247-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,247-mile route from Jacksonville to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,919 - $4,359, container $1,209 - $2,407, rental truck $802 - $1,444, freight trailer $1,076 - $2,104.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,467 - $5,764, container $1,669 - $3,065, rental truck $785 - $1,647, freight trailer $1,335 - $2,632.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,246 - $7,300, container $2,284 - $4,404, rental truck $1,060 - $2,094, freight trailer $1,741 - $3,591.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,247-mile move from Jacksonville, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $1,919 - $7,300. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $277 - $1,848. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Jacksonville and Des Moines. Local movers in Jacksonville typically start around $220 as a base rate plus $95/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Jacksonville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,919 - $4,359
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,467 - $5,764
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,246 - $7,300
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 Jacksonville to Des Moines.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Jacksonville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing85% of local movers | $462 - $4,620 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Royal Moving and Storage | $185 - $1,109/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $277 - $2,218 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs63% of local movers | $924 - $2,772 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,310 - $9,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $692 - $1,315 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Royal Moving and Storage | $924 - $2,310 |
| Piano | Any piano type48% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Royal Moving and Storage | $739 - $3,234 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $277 - $1,386 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: MoveBright Moving and Storage | $601 - $1,848 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $277 - $13,860+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $277 - $3,234+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Jacksonville to Des Moines?
Look for Iowa Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Iowa beyond this list.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Jacksonville, FL. 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 Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Jacksonville, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,209 and $4,404. 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 Jacksonville typically costs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Jacksonville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,209 - $2,407
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,669 - $3,065
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,284 - $4,404
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $69 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $139 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 $647 in Jacksonville, FL. 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 Florida 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 $1,209. 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 $1,669 - $3,065.
What are the best moving containers Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville:
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 4 years in business
- MoveBright Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 13 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 29 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Jacksonville, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $802 - $2,094 for the 1,247-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $367 - $419
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Jacksonville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Jacksonville to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $802 - $1,444
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $785 - $1,647
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,060 - $2,094
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Jacksonville to Des Moines starts at $802 - $2,094, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($367 - $419), overnight lodging ($139/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
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 $69 and $323.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $139.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $367 and $419 for the 1,247-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 $647 for 2 movers in Jacksonville, Florida, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Jacksonville, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,335 and $2,632.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Jacksonville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,076 - $2,104
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,335 - $2,632
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,741 - $3,591
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $69 and $139.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Jacksonville, Florida, for roughly five hours typically average $647.
What are the best freight companies from Jacksonville 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: 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: Jacksonville, FL vs Des Moines, IA
Jacksonville and Des Moines land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 96 in Jacksonville and 87 in Des Moines, and average rent is $1,520/mo vs. $1,150/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 26 vs 45 and safety scores are 43.62 vs 57.8.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Jacksonville, FL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Florida 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 885 movers based in Florida, handy for sizing up options on this 1,247-mile route.
Our take
The 1,247-mile move from Jacksonville, FL, to Des Moines, IA, costs between $1,919 and $7,300 with full-service movers, $1,209 - $4,404 with a moving container, and $802 - $2,094 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,467 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Jacksonville, FL, to Des Moines, IA
What is the best time of year to move from Jacksonville, FL 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 Jacksonville, FL 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($367 - $419), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $139/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Jacksonville, FL 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 $785 - $1,647. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Jacksonville, FL to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $802 to $7,300, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,919 and $7,300, 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 Jacksonville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 48% of movers in Jacksonville handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.