($678+) Augusta, GA to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Augusta, GA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $693 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,303 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,046 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 $2,169, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,303 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,267 - $3,989, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $693 - $1,921.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Augusta, GA, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,800 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 Augusta, GA to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Augusta 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 $2,800 - $6,180. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,046-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 1,046-mile route from Augusta to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,169 - $5,344, container $1,267 - $2,223, rental truck $693 - $1,355, freight trailer $1,141 - $2,144.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,800 - $6,180, container $1,632 - $3,029, rental truck $764 - $1,611, freight trailer $1,293 - $2,650.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,701 - $8,303, container $2,202 - $3,989, rental truck $939 - $1,921, freight trailer $1,624 - $3,357.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Augusta, GA to Des Moines, IA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,046-mile move from Augusta, Georgia, to Des Moines, Iowa, with prices running from $2,169 - $8,303. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $248 - $1,656 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Augusta and Des Moines are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Augusta movers tend to run around $365 as a base rate plus $95/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Augusta to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,169 - $5,344
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,800 - $6,180
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,701 - $8,303
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 Augusta to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Georgia 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 Augusta, GA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Augusta movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $414 - $4,140 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $166 - $994/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $248 - $1,987 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $828 - $2,484 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,070 - $8,280 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $620 - $1,178 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items33% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Budget Movers of Augusta Inc. | $828 - $2,070 |
| Piano | Any piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Budget Movers of Augusta Inc. | $662 - $2,898 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling50% of local movers | $248 - $1,242 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect33% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Budget Movers of Augusta Inc. | $538 - $1,656 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $248 - $12,420+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $248 - $2,898+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Augusta 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Augusta, GA. 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 Augusta, GA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Augusta, Georgia, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,267 and $3,989. 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 Augusta adds around $50/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Augusta to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,267 - $2,223
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,632 - $3,029
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,202 - $3,989
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $62 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $124 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 $580 in Augusta, GA, 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 Georgia 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 $1,267. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,632 - $3,029, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Augusta 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 Augusta 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 Augusta:
- Budget Movers of Augusta Inc. (4.3/5), 21 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Augusta, GA to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,046 miles from Augusta, Georgia, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $693 - $1,921. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $276 - $315
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Augusta daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $0.79
| 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 Augusta to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $693 - $1,355
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $764 - $1,611
- 4+ bedrooms: $939 - $1,921
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $693 - $1,921 when pricing out a rental truck from Augusta to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs ($276 - $315) , and overnight lodging ($124/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $276 - $315 for the 1,046-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Augusta, Georgia, for about 5 hours typically costs around $580.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,046-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $124 per night, adding $248 - $373 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $41 and $248.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Augusta 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 Augusta, GA to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Augusta, Georgia, 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 $745 and $2,650.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Augusta to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,141 - $2,144
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,293 - $2,650
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,624 - $3,357
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 $62 - $124 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Augusta, Georgia, for about five hours typically runs $580.
What are the best freight companies from Augusta 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.
- Marko Petroleum (4.12/5 stars): Marko Petroleum is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Augusta 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: Augusta, GA vs Des Moines, IA
Augusta and Des Moines land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 80 in Augusta and 87 in Des Moines, and rent tracks closely too ($1,250/mo vs. $1,150/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (22 vs 45) and safety scores (51.54 vs 57.8) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Augusta, GA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Georgia to Iowa, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 89 movers in Georgia, so you have real options to compare for this 1,046-mile move.
Our take
The 1,046-mile move from Augusta, GA, to Des Moines, IA, costs between $2,169 and $8,303 with full-service movers, $1,267 - $3,989 with a moving container, and $693 - $1,921 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 $2,800 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 Augusta, GA, to Des Moines, IA
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Augusta, GA to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,169 to $8,303, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,169 and $8,303, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Augusta, GA 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 $764 - $1,611. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($276 - $315), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $124/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Augusta, GA to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 percentage of Augusta movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 67% of movers in Augusta handle piano moves, and 33% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
