($784+) Des Moines, IA to New Haven, CT Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Des Moines, IA to New Haven, CT

Moving from Des Moines, IA, to New Haven, CT, runs anywhere from $776 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,789 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,185 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 $2,272, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,789 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,272 - $4,573, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $776 - $2,123.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to New Haven, CT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,747 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 New Haven, CT

There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to New Haven: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,747 - $6,721. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,185 miles, expect 2 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,185-mile route from Des Moines to New Haven, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,272 - $5,317 $1,272 - $2,384 $776 - $1,449 $1,180 - $2,058
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,747 - $6,721 $1,673 - $3,454 $805 - $1,813 $1,272 - $2,765
4+ bedrooms $4,645 - $8,789 $2,196 - $4,573 $1,012 - $2,123 $1,793 - $3,729

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
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
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 New Haven, CT

For the 1,185-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to New Haven, Connecticut, full-service movers cost between $2,272 and $8,789. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $287 - $1,916 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Des Moines generally start around $737 plus $142 per hour, per mover.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,272 - $5,317
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,747 - $6,721
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,645 - $8,789

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 New Haven.

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: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.

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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to New Haven, CT

Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In New Haven, 95% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing92% of local movers$479 - $4,790
Storage in transitNew place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$192 - $1,150/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$287 - $2,299
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers$958 - $2,874
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,395 - $9,580
Car shippingSecond vehicle$718 - $1,363
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving$958 - $2,395
PianoAny piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$766 - $3,353
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers$287 - $1,437
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC$623 - $1,916
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$287 - $14,370+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$287 - $3,353+

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

Movers & Warehousemen’s Association of Connecticut membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Connecticut, 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Des Moines, IA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.

Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to New Haven, CT

Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to New Haven, Connecticut, cost between $1,272 and $4,573. 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 New Haven:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,272 - $2,384
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,673 - $3,454
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,196 - $4,573

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $72 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $144 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in New Haven, CT, 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 $671 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 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 $1,272. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,673 - $3,454, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Des Moines to New Haven?

  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:

  • 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 New Haven, CT

Renting a moving truck for the 1,185-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to New Haven, Connecticut, costs between $776 and $2,123, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $361 - $413
  • 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 New Haven based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $776 - $1,449
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $805 - $1,813
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,012 - $2,123

Pro tip: The base rate of $776 - $2,123 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Des Moines to New Haven. Fuel ($361 - $413) , lodging at around $144/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.

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 $671.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $361 - $413 for the 1,185-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 $57 and $311, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $144 per night for hotel stops on the 1,185-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $287 - $431.

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

  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 New Haven, CT

For larger DIY moves from Des Moines, Iowa, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to New Haven, Connecticut.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,272 and $2,765.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,180 - $2,058
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,272 - $2,765
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,793 - $3,729

Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.

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 $72 - $144 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about five hours typically runs $671.

What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to New Haven?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
  3. Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Des Moines to New Haven, 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 New Haven, CT

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

Measure Des Moines, IA New Haven, CT
Cost of living index87109
Average rent$1,150/mo$2,375/mo
Median home value$183,553$248,886
Average income$63,966/yr$53,771/yr
Unemployment rate5.9%9.7%
State income taxUp to 4.4%Up to 3.0%
Walkability score45/10068/100
Safety index57.8/10041.8/100
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 New Haven, CT to Des Moines, IA guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Connecticut, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Iowa alone has 36 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,185-mile move like this one.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to New Haven, CT, 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 $2,272 - $8,789 on the 1,185-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,272 - $4,573 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $776 - $2,123 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,747 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 ASSA ABLOY Group and ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions - US.

FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to New Haven, CT

How walkable is New Haven?

New Haven has a walkability score of 68 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, 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 New Haven, CT?

Costs on this route range from around $2,272 to $8,789, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,272 and $8,789, 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 New Haven, CT?

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 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 New Haven run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to New Haven, CT take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.

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.