($789+) Des Moines, IA to Tallahassee, FL Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Tallahassee, FL, runs anywhere from $781 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,805 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,136 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 $2,148, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,805 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,302 - $4,127, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $781 - $2,070.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Tallahassee, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,673 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 Tallahassee, FL
Moving options from Des Moines to Tallahassee 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 $2,673 - $6,584 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 1,136 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,136-mile route from Des Moines to Tallahassee, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,148 - $5,343 with full-service movers, $1,302 - $2,385 with a container, $781 - $1,459 with a rental truck, or $1,171 - $2,019 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,673 - $6,584 full-service, $1,709 - $3,222 by container, $787 - $1,786 by rental truck, or $1,380 - $2,630 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,624 - $8,805 full-service, $2,155 - $4,127 by container, $1,071 - $2,070 by rental truck, or $1,760 - $3,337 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 Tallahassee, FL
Full-service movers for the 1,136-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Tallahassee, Florida, cost between $2,148 and $8,805. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $266 - $1,772, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Des Moines typically charge a base rate around $737 plus $142 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Tallahassee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,148 - $5,343
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,673 - $6,584
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,624 - $8,805
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 Tallahassee.
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: 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 Tallahassee, FL
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tallahassee, 71% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $443 - $4,430 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $177 - $1,063/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $266 - $2,126 |
| 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 | $886 - $2,658 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,215 - $8,860 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $664 - $1,261 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $886 - $2,215 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $709 - $3,101 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $266 - $1,329 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $576 - $1,772 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $266 - $13,290+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $266 - $3,101+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Tallahassee?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Professional Movers Association of Florida 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 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 Tallahassee, FL
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Tallahassee, Florida, cost between $1,302 and $4,127. 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 Tallahassee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,302 - $2,385
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,709 - $3,222
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,155 - $4,127
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $66 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $133 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Tallahassee, FL, 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 $620 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 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 $1,302. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,709 - $3,222, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Tallahassee?
- 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 Tallahassee, FL
Renting a moving truck for the 1,136-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Tallahassee, Florida, costs between $781 and $2,070, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $320 - $366
- 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 Tallahassee based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $781 - $1,459
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $787 - $1,786
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,071 - $2,070
Pro tip: A rental truck from Des Moines to Tallahassee looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $781 - $2,070. But once you factor in fuel ($320 - $366) , overnight lodging ($133/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $66 and $310.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $133.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $320 and $366 for the 1,136-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 $620 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 Tallahassee?
- 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 Tallahassee, FL
If you're moving a larger household from Des Moines, Iowa, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Tallahassee, Florida.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,380 and $2,630.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Tallahassee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,171 - $2,019
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,380 - $2,630
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,760 - $3,337
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 $66 - $133 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 $620.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Tallahassee?
- 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.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Tallahassee. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Tallahassee, FL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Des Moines and Tallahassee to plan around. Cost of living index: 87 vs. 91. Average rent: $1,150/mo vs. $1,410/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 30. Safety index: 57.8 vs. 41.65.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tallahassee, 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 1,136-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,136-mile route from Des Moines, IA, to Tallahassee, FL, run $2,148 - $8,805 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,302 - $4,127, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $781 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,673, 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 Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Tallahassee, FL
Is Tallahassee a safe place to live?
Tallahassee has a safety index of 41.65 out of 100 and a crime index of 58.35, compared to 57.8 and 5.0 in Des Moines. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Tallahassee, FL?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $787 - $1,786. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Tallahassee?
For families, Killearn Estates, Southwood, and Betton Hills are worth a look in Tallahassee. If you're moving solo or without kids, Midtown, College Town, and Railroad Square Art District tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Tallahassee, FL 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 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 Tallahassee run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
