($579+) Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $591 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,375 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $1,824, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,375 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,129 - $3,701, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $591 - $1,705.
- 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 $2,418 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. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,418 - $5,937 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 833-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
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 | $1,824 - $4,646 | $1,129 - $2,125 | $591 - $1,194 | $1,036 - $1,931 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,418 - $5,937 | $1,538 - $2,891 | $677 - $1,297 | $1,196 - $2,405 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,264 - $8,375 | $2,067 - $3,701 | $790 - $1,705 | $1,622 - $2,961 |
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 Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Birmingham, Alabama, costs between $1,824 and $8,375. 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: $1,824 - $4,646
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,418 - $5,937
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,264 - $8,375
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Alabama. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Birmingham, 91% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $435 - $4,350 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% 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 coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% 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 items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $870 - $2,175 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $696 - $3,045 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $261 - $1,305 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $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 $1,129 and $3,701. 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 Birmingham. If you go over that window, storage in Des Moines adds around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,129 - $2,125
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,538 - $2,891
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,067 - $3,701
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $65 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $131 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 $609 in Des Moines, IA, 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 Birmingham, AL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,129. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,538 - $2,891, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 29 years in business
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Birmingham, AL
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Birmingham, Alabama, range from $591 - $1,705 for the 833-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- 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: $591 - $1,194
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $677 - $1,297
- 4+ bedrooms: $790 - $1,705
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Des Moines to Birmingham starts at $591 - $1,705, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($231 - $264) , overnight lodging ($131/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $231 - $264 for the 833-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 Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours typically costs around $609.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 833-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $131 per night, adding $261 - $392 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $44 and $261.
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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,196 and $2,405.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,036 - $1,931
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,196 - $2,405
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,622 - $2,961
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $65 - $131 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, typically costs $609.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Birmingham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Birmingham quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Birmingham, AL
Des Moines and Birmingham land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 87 in Des Moines and 87 in Birmingham, and rent tracks closely too ($1,150/mo vs. $1,250/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (45 vs 33) and safety scores (57.8 vs 38.36) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham, AL to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Alabama in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 36 movers based in Iowa, handy for sizing up options on this 833-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to Birmingham, AL, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,824 - $8,375 on the 833-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,129 - $3,701 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $591 - $1,705 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,418 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live 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 $1,824 to $8,375, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,824 and $8,375, 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 75% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
