($757+) Des Moines, IA to Bridgeport, CT Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Bridgeport, CT, runs anywhere from $757 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,633 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,244, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,633 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,178 - $3,977, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $757 - $2,048.
- 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 $2,702 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 Bridgeport, CT
Moving options from Des Moines to Bridgeport fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,702 - $6,181 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 44% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 72% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,166 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
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 | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,244 - $4,659 | $1,178 - $2,249 | $757 - $1,441 | $1,038 - $1,983 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,702 - $6,181 | $1,517 - $3,132 | $755 - $1,648 | $1,288 - $2,582 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,594 - $8,633 | $2,031 - $3,977 | $948 - $2,048 | $1,778 - $3,347 |
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 Bridgeport, CT
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Bridgeport, Connecticut, costs between $2,244 and $8,633. 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: $2,244 - $4,659
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,702 - $6,181
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,594 - $8,633
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.
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: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Bridgeport, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $539 - $5,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% 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 coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% 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 items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $1,078 - $2,695 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $862 - $3,773 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $323 - $1,617 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Movers & Warehousemen’s Association of Connecticut is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Des Moines, IA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Bridgeport, CT
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Bridgeport, Connecticut, cost between $1,178 and $3,977. 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 Bridgeport. 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 Bridgeport:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,178 - $2,249
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,517 - $3,132
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,031 - $3,977
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 $755, 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 $81 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $162 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Des Moines, IA, and Bridgeport, CT, 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 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 $1,178. 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 $1,517 - $3,132.
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:
- 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 Bridgeport, CT
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,166 miles from Des Moines, Iowa, to Bridgeport, Connecticut, running $757 - $2,048. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- 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: $757 - $1,441
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $755 - $1,648
- 4+ bedrooms: $948 - $2,048
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $757 - $2,048 when pricing out a rental truck from Des Moines to Bridgeport. Fuel alone runs $400 - $457, and overnight lodging ($162/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $81 and $377.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $162.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $400 and $457 for the 1,166-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $755 for 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,288 and $2,582.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Bridgeport:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,038 - $1,983
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,288 - $2,582
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,778 - $3,347
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $81 - $162 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 $755.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Bridgeport?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Des Moines to Bridgeport, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
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 moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Iowa to Connecticut, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 67 movers in Iowa, so you have real options 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 $2,244 - $8,633 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,178 - $3,977, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $757 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,702, 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 4 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 43% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 12% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.