($785+) Des Moines, IA to Jacksonville, FL Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Jacksonville, FL, runs anywhere from $842 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,041 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,245 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 $2,283, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,041 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,282 - $4,443, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $842 - $2,287.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Jacksonville, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,964 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 Jacksonville, FL
Moving options from Des Moines to Jacksonville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,964 - $6,389 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,245 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,245-mile route from Des Moines to Jacksonville, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,283 - $4,975 with full-service movers, $1,282 - $2,528 with a container, $842 - $1,469 with a rental truck, or $1,236 - $2,275 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,964 - $6,389 full-service, $1,651 - $3,352 by container, $884 - $1,912 by rental truck, or $1,429 - $2,818 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,661 - $9,041 full-service, $2,330 - $4,443 by container, $1,146 - $2,287 by rental truck, or $1,882 - $3,699 by freight.
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 Jacksonville, FL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,245-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jacksonville, Florida, with costs ranging from $2,283 - $9,041. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $272 - $1,812. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Des Moines and Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,283 - $4,975
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,964 - $6,389
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,661 - $9,041
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 Jacksonville.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Florida. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Jacksonville, FL
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Jacksonville, 75% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $453 - $4,530 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $181 - $1,087/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $272 - $2,174 |
| 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 | $906 - $2,718 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,265 - $9,060 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $679 - $1,289 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $906 - $2,265 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $725 - $3,171 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $272 - $1,359 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $589 - $1,812 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $272 - $13,590+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $272 - $3,171+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Jacksonville?
Look for Professional Movers Association of Florida membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Florida beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Des Moines, IA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Jacksonville, FL
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jacksonville, Florida, cost between $1,282 and $4,443. 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 Jacksonville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,282 - $2,528
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,651 - $3,352
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,330 - $4,443
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Des Moines, IA and Jacksonville, FL. 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 $634 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 $68 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $136 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.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Florida 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 $1,282. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,651 - $3,352, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Jacksonville?
- 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 Jacksonville, FL
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jacksonville, Florida, range from $842 - $2,287 for the 1,245-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $359 - $410
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- 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 Jacksonville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $842 - $1,469
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $884 - $1,912
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,146 - $2,287
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $842 - $2,287 does not include fuel ($359 - $410) , lodging ($136/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Des Moines to Jacksonville typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $359 - $410 for the 1,245-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours typically costs around $634.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,245-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $136 per night, adding $272 - $408 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $45 and $272.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Jacksonville?
- 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 Jacksonville, FL
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 Jacksonville, Florida.
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 $1,429 and $2,818.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Jacksonville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,236 - $2,275
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,429 - $2,818
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,882 - $3,699
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?
- 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 $68 - $136 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 $634.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Jacksonville?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Jacksonville fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Jacksonville, FL
Des Moines and Jacksonville land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 87 in Des Moines and 96 in Jacksonville, and rent tracks closely too ($1,150/mo vs. $1,520/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (45 vs 26) and safety scores (57.8 vs 43.62) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Jacksonville, FL 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 Florida, 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 1,245-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to Jacksonville, FL, 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 $2,283 - $9,041 on the 1,245-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,282 - $4,443 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $842 - $2,287 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,964 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 FIS and Southeastern Grocers.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Jacksonville, FL
How walkable is Jacksonville?
Jacksonville has a walkability score of 26 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 41, 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 Jacksonville?
For families, Beacon Hills & Harbour, Deercreek, and Oceanway are worth a look in Jacksonville. If you're moving solo or without kids, Riverside, Brooklyn, and Baymeadows tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Florida?
Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Consumer Services.
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 Jacksonville 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.
