($772+) Des Moines, IA to Bridgeport, CT Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Bridgeport, CT, runs anywhere from $810 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,797 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,166 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 $2,153, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,797 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,352 - $4,568, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $810 - $2,044.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Bridgeport, CT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,865 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 Bridgeport, CT
Moving options from Des Moines to Bridgeport fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,865 - $6,950 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 1,166-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,166-mile route from Des Moines to Bridgeport, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,153 - $5,252 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,352 - $2,385), rental truck ($810 - $1,454), or freight trailer ($1,100 - $2,124). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,865 - $6,950 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,797.
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 Bridgeport, CT
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Bridgeport, Connecticut, costs between $2,153 and $8,797. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,166-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $323 - $2,156, 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 Bridgeport. 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 Bridgeport:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,153 - $5,252
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,865 - $6,950
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,823 - $8,797
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 Bridgeport.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Connecticut. 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 Bridgeport, CT
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Bridgeport, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $539 - $5,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $216 - $1,294/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $323 - $2,587 |
| 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 | $1,078 - $3,234 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,695 - $10,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $807 - $1,534 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $1,078 - $2,695 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $862 - $3,773 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $323 - $1,617 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $701 - $2,156 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $323 - $16,170+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $323 - $3,773+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Bridgeport?
Movers licensed to operate in Connecticut are typically members of the Movers & Warehousemen’s Association of Connecticut, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Des Moines, IA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Bridgeport, CT
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Bridgeport, Connecticut, cost between $1,352 and $4,568. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Des Moines runs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Bridgeport:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,352 - $2,385
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,641 - $3,454
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,266 - $4,568
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $755 in Des Moines, IA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $81 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $162 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Bridgeport, CT, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Connecticut 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 $1,352. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,641 - $3,454, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Bridgeport?
- 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 Bridgeport, CT
Plan on $810 - $2,044 for a rental moving truck on the 1,166-mile route from Des Moines, Iowa, to Bridgeport, Connecticut. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $400 - $457
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 Bridgeport based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $810 - $1,454
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $809 - $1,729
- 4+ bedrooms: $995 - $2,044
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $810 - $2,044 does not include fuel ($400 - $457) , lodging ($162/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Des Moines to Bridgeport typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $755.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $400 - $457 for the 1,166-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 $65 and $350, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $162 per night for hotel stops on the 1,166-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $323 - $485.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Bridgeport?
- 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 Bridgeport, CT
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 Bridgeport, Connecticut. 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 $1,339 and $2,684.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Bridgeport:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,100 - $2,124
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,339 - $2,684
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,867 - $3,479
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $81 - $162 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about five hours typically runs $755.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Bridgeport?
- 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Bridgeport. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Bridgeport, CT
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Bridgeport, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Bridgeport, CT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 139 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $2,100/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $250,949 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $56,584/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 13.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | Up to 3.0% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 66/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 39.4/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Bridgeport, CT to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Connecticut 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 36 movers in our Iowa network to compare for this 1,166-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,166-mile route from Des Moines, IA, to Bridgeport, CT, run $2,153 - $8,797 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,352 - $4,568, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $810 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,865, 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 People's United Bank and Unites Services of America.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Bridgeport, CT
How walkable is Bridgeport?
Bridgeport has a walkability score of 66 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Bridgeport?
For families, North End, Brooklawn, and Lake Forest are worth a look in Bridgeport. If you're moving solo or without kids, Black Rock, Downtown, and The Hollow tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Connecticut?
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) regulates in-state moving companies and taxi, trucking, and bus companies. In addition, customers are also protected from scam movers by regulations set forth by the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection.
What do local movers charge in Des Moines?
Local movers based in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate, plus $142/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Bridgeport run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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.
