($852+) Des Moines, IA to St. Petersburg, FL Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to St. Petersburg, FL, runs anywhere from $923 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,334 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,378 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 $2,202, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,334 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,362 - $4,963, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $923 - $2,542.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to St. Petersburg, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,987 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 St. Petersburg, FL
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to St. Petersburg: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,987 - $6,591. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,378-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,378-mile route from Des Moines to St. Petersburg, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,202 - $5,523 | $1,362 - $2,489 | $923 - $1,631 | $1,313 - $2,217 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,987 - $6,591 | $1,720 - $3,619 | $998 - $2,042 | $1,490 - $3,041 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,051 - $9,334 | $2,555 - $4,963 | $1,197 - $2,542 | $1,908 - $4,009 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 11, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to St. Petersburg, FL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,378-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to St. Petersburg, Florida, with prices running from $2,202 - $9,334. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $280 - $1,868 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Des Moines and St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,202 - $5,523
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,987 - $6,591
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,051 - $9,334
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 St. Petersburg.
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: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Add-ons and specialty services from Des Moines, IA to St. Petersburg, FL
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost (Des Moines to St. Petersburg) |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | You want the crew to box everything | $467 - $4,670 |
| Storage in transit | Your new place is not ready on arrival | $187 - $1,121/mo |
| Shuttle fee | A full-size truck cannot reach the door | $280 - $2,242 |
| Full-value protection | Coverage beyond the default $0.60/lb | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Shipments under about 2,000 lbs | $934 - $2,802 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,335 - $9,340 |
| Car shipping | Moving a second vehicle | $700 - $1,329 |
| Antiques & fine art | Climate control and white-glove handling | $934 - $2,335 |
| Piano | Upright, baby grand, or grand | $747 - $3,269 |
| Pool table | Disassembly and professional re-leveling | $280 - $1,401 |
| Hot tub | 500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect | $607 - $1,868 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled, vibration-safe transport | $280 - $14,010+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or VIP concierge | $280 - $3,269+ |
| Basic utilities | Ongoing monthly cost in St. Petersburg | /mo |
| Internet | Ongoing monthly cost in St. Petersburg | /mo |
| Cell phone plan | Ongoing monthly cost in St. Petersburg | /mo |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to St. Petersburg?
Movers licensed to operate in Florida are typically members of the Professional Movers Association of Florida, 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 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 St. Petersburg, FL
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to St. Petersburg, Florida, cost between $1,362 and $4,963. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Des Moines costs roughly $60/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,362 - $2,489
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,720 - $3,619
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,555 - $4,963
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 $654, 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 $70 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $140 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Des Moines, IA, and St. Petersburg, 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 $1,362. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,720 - $3,619, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to St. Petersburg?
- PODS (4.8/5 stars): PODS is best for nationwide coverage. It runs the widest service network of any container company, with secure month-to-month storage and steel-frame containers you load on your own schedule.
- Units Moving & Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars): Units is best for locally owned service. Their steel containers come in multiple sizes that fit tight driveways, and locally owned branches mean you reach a live support team that knows your area.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat: 1-800-Pack-Rat is best for weatherproof storage. Their all-steel containers hold up well in transit and long storage windows, with flexible month-to-month terms when your move-in date slips.
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 St. Petersburg, FL
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to St. Petersburg, Florida, range from $923 - $2,542 for the 1,378-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $410 - $468
- 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 St. Petersburg based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $923 - $1,631
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $998 - $2,042
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,197 - $2,542
Pro tip: The base rate of $923 - $2,542 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Des Moines to St. Petersburg. Fuel ($410 - $468) , lodging at around $140/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 $654.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $410 - $468 for the 1,378-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 $56 and $304, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $140 per night for hotel stops on the 1,378-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $280 - $420.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to St. Petersburg?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars): Budget Truck Rental is our pick for best value rental. Their base rates are typically the lowest among national truck rental companies, and Budget regularly offers discounts for online bookings, AAA members, and military.
- Penske Truck Rental (4/5 stars): Penske Truck Rental is the most reliable on this list. Penske maintains a newer fleet (averaging under 2 years old) and includes unlimited mileage and 24/7 roadside assistance on every one-way move.
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars): U-Haul Truck Rental is the best availability option. With more than 23,000 locations and 7 truck sizes ranging from 8 to 26 feet, U-Haul covers nearly every U.S. zip code and accommodates same-day pickups in most markets.
Freight trailer costs from Des Moines, IA to St. Petersburg, 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 St. Petersburg, 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 $1,490 and $3,041.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,313 - $2,217
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,490 - $3,041
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,908 - $4,009
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?
- 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 $70 - $140 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about five hours typically runs $654.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to St. Petersburg?
- 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 are a great option when you need your belongings in St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg, FL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Petersburg, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | St. Petersburg, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 103 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $327,967 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $73,118/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | None |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 60.46/100 |
| 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 729 real quotes from Des Moines, IA to St. Petersburg, FL, 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 1,378-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Des Moines, IA, to St. Petersburg, FL, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,202 - $9,334 on the 1,378-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,362 - $4,963, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $923 - $2,542. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,987 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Jabil and FADV Holdings.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to St. Petersburg, FL
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 St. Petersburg run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Des Moines, IA to St. Petersburg, FL?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to St. Petersburg, FL?
Costs on this route range from around $2,202 to $9,334, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,202 and $9,334, 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.
How walkable is St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 59, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($410 - $468), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $140/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
