($849+) Tampa, FL to Des Moines, IA Movers

Full-service moving costs from Tampa, FL to Des Moines, IA

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,357-mile move from Tampa, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $1,960 - $7,919. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $292 - $1,944. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Tampa and Des Moines. Local movers in Tampa typically start around $266 as a base rate plus $84/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tampa to Des Moines:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,960 - $4,444
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,747 - $5,850
• 4+ bedrooms: $4,501 - $7,919

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 Tampa to Des Moines.

Specialty moving services from Tampa, FL to Des Moines, IA

Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Tampa movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Tampa 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.

Moving container costs from Tampa, FL to Des Moines, IA

Moving containers from Tampa, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,377 and $4,866. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Tampa runs about $100/month.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,377 - $2,441
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,812 - $3,694
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,412 - $4,866

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $680 in Tampa, FL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
• Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
• Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $73 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $146 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
• Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Des Moines, IA, destination before booking.

What are the best moving containers Tampa 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)

Moving truck rental costs from Tampa, FL to Des Moines, IA

A rental truck for this 1,357-mile move from Tampa, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $841 and $2,454. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

• Fuel for the drive: $420 - $480
• Daily insurance: $29/day
• Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
• Tampa daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.60 - $0.99

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $841 - $1,757
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $927 - $1,911
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,155 - $2,454

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 $73 and $340.
• Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $146.
• Gas: Expect fuel to run between $420 and $480 for the 1,357-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 $680 for 2 movers in Tampa, Florida, for about 5 hours.
• Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Tampa 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 Tampa, FL to Des Moines, IA

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Tampa, Florida, 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 $875 and $2,783.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,302 - $2,360
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,435 - $2,783
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,988 - $3,702

What other costs come with freight trailers?

• Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
• Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Tampa, Florida, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $680.
• More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $73 and $146 per foot.

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Quality Carriers (4.42/5 stars): Quality Carriers is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.

Cost of living: Tampa, 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 Tampa on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.