($605+) Des Moines, IA to Baton Rouge, LA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Baton Rouge, LA, runs anywhere from $605 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,230 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 956 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,976, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,230 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,185 - $3,975, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $605 - $1,638.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Baton Rouge, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,593 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 Baton Rouge, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Baton Rouge: 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 $2,593 - $5,727. Moving containers run about 45% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 73% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 956-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 956-mile route from Des Moines to Baton Rouge, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,976 - $4,684 with full-service movers, $1,185 - $2,157 with a container, $605 - $1,133 with a rental truck, or $1,067 - $1,847 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,593 - $5,727 full-service, $1,423 - $2,825 by container, $701 - $1,375 by rental truck, or $1,208 - $2,283 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,207 - $8,230 full-service, $1,937 - $3,975 by container, $828 - $1,638 by rental truck, or $1,581 - $3,119 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 Baton Rouge, LA
Full-service movers for the 956-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, cost between $1,976 and $8,230. 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 $268 - $1,788, 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 Baton Rouge:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,976 - $4,684
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,593 - $5,727
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,207 - $8,230
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 Baton Rouge.
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 Baton Rouge, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Baton Rouge, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $447 - $4,470 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $179 - $1,073/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $268 - $2,146 |
| 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 | $894 - $2,682 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,235 - $8,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $670 - $1,272 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $894 - $2,235 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $715 - $3,129 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $268 - $1,341 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $581 - $1,788 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $268 - $13,410+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $268 - $3,129+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Baton Rouge?
All three below meet the standards set by the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, the group most Louisiana movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
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 Baton Rouge, LA
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, cost between $1,185 and $3,975. 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 Baton Rouge. 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 Baton Rouge:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,185 - $2,157
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,423 - $2,825
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,937 - $3,975
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $67 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $134 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Baton Rouge, LA, 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 $626 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 Louisiana 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 $1,185. 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 $1,423 - $2,825.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Baton Rouge?
- 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 Baton Rouge, LA
Plan on $605 - $1,638 for a rental moving truck on the 956-mile route from Des Moines, Iowa, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $272 - $311
- 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 Baton Rouge based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $605 - $1,133
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $701 - $1,375
- 4+ bedrooms: $828 - $1,638
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Des Moines to Baton Rouge starts at $605 - $1,638, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($272 - $311), overnight lodging ($134/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
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 $626.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $272 - $311 for the 956-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 $54 and $291, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $134 per night for hotel stops on the 956-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $268 - $402.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Baton Rouge?
- 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 Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,208 and $2,283.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Baton Rouge:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,067 - $1,847
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,208 - $2,283
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,581 - $3,119
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $67 - $134 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about five hours typically runs $626.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Baton Rouge?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Baton Rouge quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Baton Rouge, LA
Day-to-day costs in Baton Rouge are close to what you're used to in Des Moines: cost of living index of 93 versus 87, with average rent of $1,250/mo compared to $1,150/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines versus 39/100 and 30.74/100 in Baton Rouge.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Baton Rouge, LA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Iowa to Louisiana, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 67 movers in Iowa, so you have real options to compare for this 956-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Des Moines, IA, to Baton Rouge, LA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,976 for a studio to $8,230 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 956-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,185 - $3,975. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $605 - $1,638, 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 $2,593 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 Amedisys and LA State University Continuing.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Baton Rouge, LA
What are the best neighborhoods in Baton Rouge?
For families, Prairieville, Zachary, and Shenandoah are worth a look in Baton Rouge. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Highlands/Perkins, and South Baton Rouge tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Baton Rouge, LA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge, LA?
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 Baton Rouge, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $605 to $8,230, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,976 and $8,230, 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 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.