($673+) Des Moines, IA to Augusta, GA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Augusta, GA, runs anywhere from $673 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,396 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,044 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 $2,132, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,396 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,184 - $3,958, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $673 - $1,848.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Augusta, GA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,641 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 Augusta, GA
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Augusta: 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 $2,641 - $6,077. Containers cost roughly 42% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 72% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,044 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 1,044-mile route from Des Moines to Augusta, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,132 - $4,798 with full-service movers, $1,184 - $2,033 with a container, $673 - $1,252 with a rental truck, or $1,087 - $1,964 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,641 - $6,077 full-service, $1,524 - $3,095 by container, $735 - $1,430 by rental truck, or $1,231 - $2,333 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,057 - $8,396 full-service, $1,996 - $3,958 by container, $868 - $1,848 by rental truck, or $1,597 - $3,292 by freight.
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 Augusta, GA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,044-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Augusta, Georgia, with costs ranging from $2,132 - $8,396. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $253 - $1,684. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Des Moines and Augusta. 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 Augusta:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,132 - $4,798
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,641 - $6,077
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,057 - $8,396
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 Augusta.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Augusta, GA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Augusta, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $421 - $4,210 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $168 - $1,010/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $253 - $2,021 |
| 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 | $842 - $2,526 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,105 - $8,420 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $631 - $1,198 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $842 - $2,105 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $674 - $2,947 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $253 - $1,263 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $547 - $1,684 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $253 - $12,630+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $253 - $2,947+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Augusta?
Georgia Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Georgia, 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Des Moines, IA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Augusta, GA
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Augusta, Georgia, cost between $1,184 and $3,958. 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 Augusta:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,184 - $2,033
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,524 - $3,095
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,996 - $3,958
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $63 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $126 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $589 in Des Moines, IA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Augusta, GA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Georgia 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 $1,184. 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 $1,524 - $3,095.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Augusta?
- 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 Augusta, GA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,044 miles from Des Moines, Iowa, to Augusta, Georgia, running $673 - $1,848. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $280 - $320
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- 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 Augusta based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $673 - $1,252
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $735 - $1,430
- 4+ bedrooms: $868 - $1,848
Pro tip: The base rate of $673 - $1,848 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Des Moines to Augusta. Fuel ($280 - $320), lodging at around $126/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging 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 $589.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $280 - $320 for the 1,044-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 $51 and $274, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $126 per night for hotel stops on the 1,044-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $253 - $379.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Augusta?
- 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 Augusta, GA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Augusta, Georgia. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $758 and $2,333.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Augusta:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,087 - $1,964
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,231 - $2,333
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,597 - $3,292
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $589.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $63 - $126 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 Augusta?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Des Moines to Augusta, 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 Augusta, GA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Des Moines and Augusta to plan around. Cost of living index: 87 vs. 80. Average rent: $1,150/mo vs. $1,250/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 22. Safety index: 57.8 vs. 51.54.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Augusta, GA 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 Georgia, 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 1,044-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 1,044-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Augusta, GA, costs between $2,132 and $8,396 with full-service movers, $1,184 - $3,958 with a moving container, and $673 - $1,848 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,641 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Questo and Morris Communications.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Augusta, GA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($280 - $320), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $126/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Augusta?
Augusta has a walkability score of 22 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 33, 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 Augusta, GA?
Costs on this route range from around $673 to $8,396, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,132 and $8,396, 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 Augusta, GA?
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 Augusta 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 43% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 12% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.