($804+) Des Moines, IA to Scottsdale, AZ Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Des Moines, IA to Scottsdale, AZ

Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Scottsdale, AZ, runs anywhere from $804 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,985 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,387 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,142, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,985 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,376 - $4,590, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $804 - $2,444.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Scottsdale, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,732 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Des Moines, IA to Scottsdale, AZ

Moving options from Des Moines to Scottsdale fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,732 - $6,609 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 67% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,387-mile route typically takes 3 to 8 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,387-mile route from Des Moines to Scottsdale, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,142 - $5,109 $1,376 - $2,470 $804 - $1,635 $1,191 - $2,311
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,732 - $6,609 $1,741 - $3,516 $915 - $1,945 $1,378 - $2,841
4+ bedrooms $5,112 - $8,985 $2,272 - $4,590 $1,095 - $2,444 $1,744 - $3,817

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight trailer
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Scottsdale, AZ

Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Scottsdale, Arizona, costs between $2,142 and $8,985. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,387-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $292 - $1,948, 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 Scottsdale. 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 Scottsdale:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,142 - $5,109
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,732 - $6,609
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,112 - $8,985

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 Scottsdale.

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 Des Moines, IA to Scottsdale, AZ

Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Scottsdale, 66% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing63% of local movers$487 - $4,870
Storage in transitNew place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$195 - $1,169/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$292 - $2,338
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers$974 - $2,922
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,435 - $9,740
Car shippingSecond vehicle$730 - $1,386
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines$974 - $2,435
PianoAny piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$779 - $3,409
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling$292 - $1,461
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$633 - $1,948
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$292 - $14,610+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$292 - $3,409+

What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Scottsdale?

Arizona Moving Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Arizona, on top of the picks below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 Scottsdale, AZ

Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Scottsdale, Arizona, cost between $1,376 and $4,590. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Des Moines typically costs about $60/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,376 - $2,470
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,741 - $3,516
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,272 - $4,590

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $73 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $146 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Scottsdale, AZ, 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 $682 in Des Moines, IA. 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 Iowa to Arizona 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 $1,376. 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 $1,741 - $3,516.

What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Scottsdale?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Scottsdale, AZ

Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Scottsdale, Arizona, range from $804 - $2,444 for the 1,387-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $430 - $491
  • Daily insurance: $29/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
  • Des Moines daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $1.19
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $804 - $1,635
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $915 - $1,945
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,095 - $2,444

Pro tip: The base rate of $804 - $2,444 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Des Moines to Scottsdale. Fuel ($430 - $491), lodging at around $146/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $146 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
  • Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $63 and $317 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $430 - $491 in fuel for the 1,387-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $682 in Des Moines, Iowa, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Scottsdale?

  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 Des Moines, IA to Scottsdale, AZ

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 Scottsdale, Arizona. 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 $1,378 and $2,841.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,191 - $2,311
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,378 - $2,841
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,744 - $3,817

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 $682.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $73 - $146 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 Scottsdale?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

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: Des Moines, IA vs Scottsdale, AZ

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Scottsdale, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Des Moines, IA Scottsdale, AZ
Cost of living index87113
Average rent$1,150/mo$3,300/mo
Median home value$183,553$709,486
Average income$63,966/yr$107,372/yr
Unemployment rate5.9%4.7%
State income taxUp to 4.4%Up to 2.5%
Walkability score45/10032/100
Safety index57.8/10074.2/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Scottsdale, AZ to Des Moines, IA guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Arizona, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 67 movers licensed in Iowa, useful context for sizing up this 1,387-mile move.

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Our take

A move from Des Moines, IA, to Scottsdale, AZ, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,142 - $8,985 on the 1,387-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,376 - $4,590, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $804 - $2,444. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,732 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Scottsdale tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and beautiful nature, though tourists and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Honor Health and CVS Health.

FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Scottsdale, AZ

How do I know a mover is licensed in Arizona?

Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($430 - $491), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $146/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How walkable is Scottsdale?

Scottsdale has a walkability score of 32 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 56, 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.

How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Scottsdale, AZ?

Costs on this route range from around $804 to $8,985, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,142 and $8,985, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Des Moines, IA to Scottsdale, AZ?

Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.

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.