($1,048+) Des Moines, IA to Ontario, CA Movers

Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Ontario, CA

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,647-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Ontario, California, with costs ranging from $2,470 - $10,336. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $299 - $1,996. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Des Moines and Ontario. Local movers in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate plus $142/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Ontario:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,470 - $5,488
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,151 - $7,656
• 4+ bedrooms: $5,969 - $10,336

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 Ontario.

Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Ontario, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Ontario, 85% of movers offer the same service.

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

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.

1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Ontario, CA

Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Ontario, California, cost between $1,486 and $5,027. 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 Ontario:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,486 - $2,826
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,920 - $3,833
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,671 - $5,027

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Access: Most major container brands operate in both Des Moines, IA and Ontario, CA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
• Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $699 in Des Moines, IA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
• Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $75 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $150 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
• Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.

What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Ontario?

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

Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Ontario, CA

Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Ontario, California, range from $1,027 - $2,815 for the 1,647-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

• Fuel for the drive: $523 - $598
• Daily insurance: $30/day
• Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
• Des Moines daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $1.19

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,027 - $2,052
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,058 - $2,279
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,346 - $2,815

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
• Lodging: Budget around $150 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 Des Moines, Iowa, usually costs about $699 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
• Gas: Fuel for the 1,647-mile drive falls between $523 and $598, 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 $50 and $299 to your total.

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

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 Ontario, CA

If you're moving a larger household from Des Moines, Iowa, 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 Ontario, California.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,474 and $3,256.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,284 - $2,569
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,474 - $3,256
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,073 - $4,317

What other costs come with freight trailers?

• Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
• Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $699.
• More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $75 and $150 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Ontario?

1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
3. 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 operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Ontario, CA

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

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