($597+) Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $597 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,294 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 833 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,864, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,294 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,097 - $3,491, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $597 - $1,624.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,422 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 Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL
Moving options from Des Moines to Birmingham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,422 - $5,715 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 42% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 74% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 833 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 833-mile route from Des Moines to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,864 - $4,337 | $1,097 - $2,043 | $597 - $1,019 | $1,016 - $1,750 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,422 - $5,715 | $1,410 - $2,808 | $639 - $1,287 | $1,050 - $2,247 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,982 - $8,294 | $1,875 - $3,491 | $792 - $1,624 | $1,545 - $2,764 |
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 Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Birmingham, Alabama, costs between $1,864 and $8,294. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 833-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $261 - $1,740, 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 Des Moines and Birmingham. For a rough baseline, movers based in Des Moines tend to start around $737 plus $142/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 Des Moines to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,864 - $4,337
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,422 - $5,715
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,982 - $8,294
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 Des Moines to Birmingham.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Birmingham, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $435 - $4,350 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $174 - $1,044/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $261 - $2,088 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $870 - $2,610 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,175 - $8,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $652 - $1,238 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $870 - $2,175 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $696 - $3,045 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $261 - $1,305 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $566 - $1,740 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $261 - $13,050+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $261 - $3,045+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Birmingham?
Alabama Trucking Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Alabama, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Des Moines, IA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $1,097 and $3,491. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Des Moines typically runs around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,097 - $2,043
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,410 - $2,808
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,875 - $3,491
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 Des Moines, IA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $609, 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 $65 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $131 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Des Moines, IA, and Birmingham, AL, 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 Iowa to Alabama 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 $1,097. 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 $1,410 - $2,808.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Birmingham?
- 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines:
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- The Approved Movers (4.8/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL
A rental truck for this 833-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Birmingham, Alabama, costs between $597 and $1,624. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $231 - $264
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Des Moines daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Des Moines to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $597 - $1,019
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $639 - $1,287
- 4+ bedrooms: $792 - $1,624
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $597 - $1,624 when pricing out a rental truck from Des Moines to Birmingham. Fuel alone runs $231 - $264, and overnight lodging ($131/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $609.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $231 - $264 for the 833-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $52 and $283, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $131 per night for hotel stops on the 833-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $261 - $392.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Birmingham?
- 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 Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL
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 Des Moines, Iowa, to Birmingham, Alabama. 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 $1,050 and $2,247.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,016 - $1,750
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,050 - $2,247
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,545 - $2,764
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Des Moines, Iowa, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $609.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $65 - $131 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Birmingham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Birmingham 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: Des Moines, IA vs Birmingham, AL
Day-to-day costs in Birmingham are close to what you're used to in Des Moines: cost of living index of 87 versus 87, with average rent of $1,250/mo compared to $1,150/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines versus 33/100 and 38.36/100 in Birmingham.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham, AL to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Alabama 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 67 movers in our Iowa network to compare for this 833-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Des Moines, IA, to Birmingham, AL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,864 for a studio to $8,294 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 833-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,097 - $3,491. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $597 - $1,624, 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 $2,422 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 Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Birmingham, AL
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $597 to $8,294, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,864 and $8,294, 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.
How walkable is Birmingham?
Birmingham has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 31, compared to 45 and 39 in Des Moines. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($231 - $264), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $131/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Alabama?
To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience.
What is the best time of year to move from Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL?
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. Alabama also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 12% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.