($635+) Des Moines, IA to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $635 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,726 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 958 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 $2,095, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,726 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,257 - $3,853, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $635 - $1,846.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,619 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 Lafayette, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Lafayette: 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 $2,619 - $6,135. 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 2 to 7 days for this 958-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 958-mile route from Des Moines to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,095 - $4,866 with full-service movers, $1,257 - $2,177 with a container, $635 - $1,265 with a rental truck, or $1,131 - $1,958 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,619 - $6,135 full-service, $1,585 - $2,965 by container, $729 - $1,548 by rental truck, or $1,256 - $2,567 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,374 - $8,726 full-service, $2,095 - $3,853 by container, $905 - $1,846 by rental truck, or $1,743 - $3,210 by freight.
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 Lafayette, LA
Full-service movers for the 958-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $2,095 and $8,726. 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 $265 - $1,764, 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 Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,095 - $4,866
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,619 - $6,135
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,374 - $8,726
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 Lafayette.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Louisiana. 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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Add-ons and specialty services from Des Moines, IA to Lafayette, LA
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost (Des Moines to Lafayette) |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | You want the crew to box everything | $441 - $4,410 |
| Storage in transit | Your new place is not ready on arrival | $176 - $1,058/mo |
| Shuttle fee | A full-size truck cannot reach the door | $265 - $2,117 |
| Full-value protection | Coverage beyond the default $0.60/lb | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Shipments under about 2,000 lbs | $882 - $2,646 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,205 - $8,820 |
| Car shipping | Moving a second vehicle | $661 - $1,255 |
| Antiques & fine art | Climate control and white-glove handling | $882 - $2,205 |
| Piano | Upright, baby grand, or grand | $706 - $3,087 |
| Pool table | Disassembly and professional re-leveling | $265 - $1,323 |
| Hot tub | 500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect | $573 - $1,764 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled, vibration-safe transport | $265 - $13,230+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or VIP concierge | $265 - $3,087+ |
| Basic utilities | Ongoing monthly cost in Lafayette | $244/mo |
| Internet | Ongoing monthly cost in Lafayette | $65/mo |
| Cell phone plan | Ongoing monthly cost in Lafayette | $52/mo |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Lafayette?
Movers licensed to operate in Louisiana are typically members of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, 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 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 Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,257 and $3,853. 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 Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,257 - $2,177
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,585 - $2,965
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,095 - $3,853
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $66 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $132 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 $617 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 Lafayette, LA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,257. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,585 - $2,965, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Lafayette?
- 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 Lafayette, LA
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Lafayette, Louisiana, range from $635 - $1,846 for the 958-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $269 - $307
- Daily insurance: $26/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 Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $635 - $1,265
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $729 - $1,548
- 4+ bedrooms: $905 - $1,846
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Des Moines to Lafayette starts at $635 - $1,846, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($269 - $307) , overnight lodging ($132/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
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 $309.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $132.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $269 and $307 for the 958-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 $617 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 Lafayette?
- 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 Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,256 and $2,567.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,131 - $1,958
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,256 - $2,567
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,743 - $3,210
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $617.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $66 and $132 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Lafayette?
- 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.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Lafayette. 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 Lafayette, LA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Des Moines and Lafayette to plan around. Cost of living index: 87 vs. 90. Average rent: $1,150/mo vs. $2,825/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 42. Safety index: 57.8 vs. 54.25.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lafayette, LA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 571 real quotes from Des Moines, IA to Lafayette, LA in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 36 movers based in Iowa, handy for sizing up options on this 958-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Des Moines, IA, to Lafayette, LA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,095 for a studio to $8,726 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 958-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,257 - $3,853. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $635 - $1,846, 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 $2,619 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 LHC Group and King-Patin.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Lafayette, LA
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Lafayette, LA?
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 $729 - $1,548. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Lafayette?
For families, Youngsville, Erath, and Maurice are worth a look in Lafayette. If you're moving solo or without kids, Saint Streets, Freetown-Port Rico, and Downtown Lafayette tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Lafayette, LA 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette, 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.
