($838+) Des Moines, IA to Orlando, FL Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Orlando, FL, runs anywhere from $838 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,475 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,338 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,154, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,475 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,327 - $4,232, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $838 - $2,143.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Orlando, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,661 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 Orlando, FL
Moving options from Des Moines to Orlando fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,661 - $6,282 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 39% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 68% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,338 miles, this route usually takes 3 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,338-mile route from Des Moines to Orlando, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,154 - $5,085 | $1,327 - $2,450 | $838 - $1,477 | $1,136 - $2,205 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,661 - $6,282 | $1,612 - $3,518 | $845 - $1,868 | $1,316 - $2,574 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,803 - $8,475 | $2,323 - $4,232 | $1,117 - $2,143 | $1,768 - $3,742 |
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 Orlando, FL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,338-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Orlando, Florida, with prices running from $2,154 - $8,475. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $284 - $1,892 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Des Moines and Orlando are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Des Moines movers tend to run around $737 as a base rate plus $142/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Orlando:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,154 - $5,085
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,661 - $6,282
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,803 - $8,475
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 Orlando.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Orlando, FL
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Orlando, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $473 - $4,730 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $189 - $1,135/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $284 - $2,270 |
| 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 | $946 - $2,838 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,365 - $9,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $709 - $1,346 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $946 - $2,365 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $757 - $3,311 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $284 - $1,419 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $615 - $1,892 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $284 - $14,190+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $284 - $3,311+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Orlando?
Professional Movers Association of Florida membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Florida, on top of the picks below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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 Orlando, FL
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Orlando, Florida, cost between $1,327 and $4,232. 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 Orlando. 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 Orlando:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,327 - $2,450
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,612 - $3,518
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,323 - $4,232
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 $662, 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 $71 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $142 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Des Moines, IA, and Orlando, FL, 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 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 $1,327. 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 $1,612 - $3,518.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Orlando?
- 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 Orlando, FL
A rental truck for this 1,338-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Orlando, Florida, costs between $838 and $2,143. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $403 - $460
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- 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 Orlando based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $838 - $1,477
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $845 - $1,868
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,117 - $2,143
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $838 - $2,143 when pricing out a rental truck from Des Moines to Orlando. Fuel alone runs $403 - $460, and overnight lodging ($142/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $142 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 $662 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,338-mile drive falls between $403 and $460, 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 $47 and $284 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Orlando?
- 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 Orlando, FL
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Orlando, Florida, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,316 and $2,574.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Orlando:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,136 - $2,205
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,316 - $2,574
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,768 - $3,742
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Des Moines, Iowa, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $662.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $71 - $142 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Orlando?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Orlando, FL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Orlando, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Orlando, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $1,943/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $354,444 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $69,268/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | None |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 41/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 50.43/100 |
| 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 Orlando, 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 67 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,338-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Des Moines, IA, to Orlando, FL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,154 for a studio to $8,475 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,338-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,327 - $4,232. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $838 - $2,143, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,661 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Darden Restaurants and Red Lobster.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Orlando, FL
How walkable is Orlando?
Orlando has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 57, 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 Orlando?
For families, Baldwin Park, Celebration, and College Park are worth a look in Orlando. If you're moving solo or without kids, Baldwin Park, Central Business District, and College Park 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 Orlando 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.