($773+) Orlando, FL to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Orlando, FL, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $773 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,185 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,339 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $1,977, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,185 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,301 - $4,588, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $773 - $2,211.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Orlando, FL, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,521 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 Orlando, FL to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Orlando to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,521 - $5,772 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 33% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 64% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,339 miles, this route usually takes 3 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,339-mile route from Orlando to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,977 - $4,138 | $1,301 - $2,282 | $773 - $1,477 | $1,102 - $2,248 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,521 - $5,772 | $1,695 - $3,183 | $906 - $1,831 | $1,290 - $2,574 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,112 - $8,185 | $2,323 - $4,588 | $1,084 - $2,211 | $1,840 - $3,671 |
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 Orlando, FL to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Orlando, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,977 and $8,185. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,339-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $295 - $1,968, 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 Orlando and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Orlando tend to start around $188 plus $80/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 Orlando to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,977 - $4,138
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,521 - $5,772
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,112 - $8,185
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 Orlando 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 Orlando, FL to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Orlando 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 packing80% of local movers | $492 - $4,920 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Big Man Movers Corp. | $197 - $1,181/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $295 - $2,362 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $984 - $2,952 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,460 - $9,840 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $737 - $1,400 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 1776 Moving and Storage, Inc. | $984 - $2,460 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Big Man Movers Corp. | $787 - $3,444 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling1% of local movers | $295 - $1,476 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $640 - $1,968 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $295 - $14,760+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $295 - $3,444+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Orlando 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Orlando, FL, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Orlando, FL to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Orlando, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,301 and $4,588. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Des Moines. If you go over that window, storage in Orlando adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Orlando to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,301 - $2,282
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,695 - $3,183
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,323 - $4,588
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Orlando, FL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $689, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $74 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $148 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Orlando, FL, and Des Moines, IA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,301. 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 $1,695 - $3,183.
What are the best moving containers Orlando 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 Orlando 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 Orlando:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Best USA Movers Orlando (5.0/5), 14 years in business
- Orlando Express Movers (4.9/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Orlando, FL to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,339 miles from Orlando, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $773 - $2,211. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $419 - $479
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Orlando daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.19
| 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 Orlando to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $773 - $1,477
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $906 - $1,831
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,084 - $2,211
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $773 - $2,211 does not include fuel ($419 - $479), lodging ($148/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Orlando 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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $74 and $344.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $148.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $419 and $479 for the 1,339-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 $689 for 2 movers in Orlando, Florida, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Orlando 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 Orlando, 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 Orlando, 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 $1,290 and $2,574.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Orlando to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,102 - $2,248
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,290 - $2,574
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,840 - $3,671
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $74 and $148.
- 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 Orlando, Florida, for roughly five hours typically average $689.
What are the best freight companies from Orlando to Des Moines?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Orlando to Des Moines, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Orlando, FL 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 Orlando on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Orlando, FL | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,943/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $354,444 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $69,268/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 50.43/100 | 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 Orlando, FL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Florida 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 885 movers in our Florida network to compare for this 1,339-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Orlando, FL, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,977 for a studio to $8,185 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,339-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,301 - $4,588. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $773 - $2,211, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,521 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Orlando, FL, 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 50.43 and 49.57 in Orlando. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Orlando, FL 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.
What is the best time of year to move from Orlando, 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 Orlando, FL to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 3 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 ($419 - $479), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $148/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Orlando movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Orlando handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.