($647+) Columbus, GA to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Columbus, GA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $647 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,396 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,004 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 $2,061, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,396 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,173 - $3,991, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $647 - $1,885.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Columbus, GA, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,517 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 Columbus, GA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Columbus to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,517 - $6,102 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 73% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,004 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,004-mile route from Columbus to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,061 - $4,735 | $1,173 - $2,182 | $647 - $1,192 | $1,025 - $1,944 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,517 - $6,102 | $1,509 - $2,974 | $692 - $1,431 | $1,124 - $2,238 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,124 - $8,396 | $1,896 - $3,991 | $923 - $1,885 | $1,677 - $3,068 |
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 Columbus, GA to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 1,004-mile relocation from Columbus, Georgia, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $2,061 and $8,396. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $245 - $1,632, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Columbus typically charge a base rate around $315 plus $140 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Columbus to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,061 - $4,735
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,517 - $6,102
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,124 - $8,396
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 Columbus 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 Columbus, GA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 84% of Columbus 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 packing68% of local movers | $408 - $4,080 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $163 - $979/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $245 - $1,958 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs68% of local movers | $816 - $2,448 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,040 - $8,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $611 - $1,161 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $816 - $2,040 |
| Piano | Any piano type36% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $653 - $2,856 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $245 - $1,224 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $530 - $1,632 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $245 - $12,240+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $245 - $2,856+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Columbus 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Columbus, GA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Columbus, GA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Columbus, Georgia, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,173 and $3,991. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Columbus costs roughly $65/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Columbus to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,173 - $2,182
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,509 - $2,974
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,896 - $3,991
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $61 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $122 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 $571 in Columbus, GA. 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 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 $1,173. 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 $1,509 - $2,974.
What are the best moving containers Columbus 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 Columbus 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 Columbus:
- Apple Moving (4.0/5), 26 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Columbus, GA to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,004 miles from Columbus, Georgia, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $647 - $1,885. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $261 - $298
- Daily insurance: $24/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- Columbus daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Columbus to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $647 - $1,192
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $692 - $1,431
- 4+ bedrooms: $923 - $1,885
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $647 - $1,885 when pricing out a rental truck from Columbus to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $261 - $298, and overnight lodging ($122/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $122 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 Columbus, Georgia, usually costs about $571 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,004-mile drive falls between $261 and $298, 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 $41 and $245 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Columbus 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 Columbus, GA to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Columbus, Georgia, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Des Moines, Iowa.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,124 and $2,238.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Columbus to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,025 - $1,944
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,124 - $2,238
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,677 - $3,068
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 $61 and $122.
- 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 Columbus, Georgia, for roughly five hours typically average $571.
What are the best freight companies from Columbus 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: 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: Columbus, GA vs Des Moines, IA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Columbus and Des Moines to plan around. Cost of living index: 78 vs. 87. Average rent: $1,100/mo vs. $1,150/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 25 vs. 45. Safety index: 27.82 vs. 57.8.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Columbus, 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 256 movers in Georgia, so you have real options to compare for this 1,004-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,004-mile route from Columbus, GA, to Des Moines, IA, run $2,061 - $8,396 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,173 - $3,991, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $647 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,517, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Columbus, GA, to Des Moines, IA
What is the best time of year to move from Columbus, GA 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 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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 27.82 and 72.18 in Columbus. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Columbus, 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 $692 - $1,431. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Des Moines?
For families, Linden Heights, Waterbury, and Waveland Park are worth a look in Des Moines. If you're moving solo or without kids, Sherman Hill, Downtown, and East Village tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Columbus movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 36% of movers in Columbus handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.