($756+) Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Baltimore, MD, runs anywhere from $711 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,792 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,020 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 $2,433, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,792 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,250 - $4,656, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $711 - $1,952.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Baltimore, MD. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,766 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 Baltimore, MD
Moving options from Des Moines to Baltimore fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,766 - $7,125 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,020-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,020-mile route from Des Moines to Baltimore, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,433 for a studio up to $8,792 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,250 - $4,656 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $711 - $1,952, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,208 - $3,654, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated August 31, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Baltimore, Maryland, costs between $2,433 and $8,792. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,020-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $268 - $1,788, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Des Moines and Baltimore. For a rough baseline, movers based in Des Moines tend to start around $737 plus $142/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,433 - $5,699
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,766 - $7,125
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,769 - $8,792
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 Baltimore.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Maryland. 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.
Add-ons and specialty services from Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost (Des Moines to Baltimore) |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | You want the crew to box everything | $447 - $4,470 |
| Storage in transit | Your new place is not ready on arrival | $179 - $1,073/mo |
| Shuttle fee | A full-size truck cannot reach the door | $268 - $2,146 |
| Full-value protection | Coverage beyond the default $0.60/lb | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Shipments under about 2,000 lbs | $894 - $2,682 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,235 - $8,940 |
| Car shipping | Moving a second vehicle | $670 - $1,272 |
| Antiques & fine art | Climate control and white-glove handling | $894 - $2,235 |
| Piano | Upright, baby grand, or grand | $715 - $3,129 |
| Pool table | Disassembly and professional re-leveling | $268 - $1,341 |
| Hot tub | 500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect | $581 - $1,788 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled, vibration-safe transport | $268 - $13,410+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or VIP concierge | $268 - $3,129+ |
| Basic utilities | Ongoing monthly cost in Baltimore | $182/mo |
| Internet | Ongoing monthly cost in Baltimore | $81/mo |
| Cell phone plan | Ongoing monthly cost in Baltimore | $57/mo |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Baltimore?
All three below meet the standards set by the Maryland Motor Truck Association, the group most Maryland 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 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 Baltimore, MD
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Baltimore, Maryland, cost between $1,250 and $4,656. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Des Moines runs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,250 - $2,352
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,779 - $3,505
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,330 - $4,656
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $626 in Des Moines, IA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $67 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $134 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Baltimore, MD, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Maryland 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 $1,250. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,779 - $3,505, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Baltimore?
- 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
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Baltimore, Maryland, range from $711 - $1,952 for the 1,020-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $290 - $332
- 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 Baltimore based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $711 - $1,407
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $849 - $1,638
- 4+ bedrooms: $995 - $1,952
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $711 - $1,952 does not include fuel ($290 - $332) , lodging ($134/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Des Moines to Baltimore typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $134 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Des Moines, Iowa, usually costs about $626 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,020-mile drive falls between $290 and $332, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $45 and $268 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Baltimore?
- 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 Baltimore, MD
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Baltimore, Maryland, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,341 and $2,804.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,208 - $2,268
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,341 - $2,804
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,755 - $3,654
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $67 and $134.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly five hours typically average $626.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Baltimore?
- 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 (4.54/5 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Baltimore. 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 Baltimore, MD
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Des Moines and Baltimore to plan around. Cost of living index: 87 vs. 93. Average rent: $1,150/mo vs. $1,600/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 64. Safety index: 57.8 vs. 27.28.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed over 878 quotes from Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD, 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 36 movers in Iowa, so you have real options to compare for this 1,020-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,020-mile route from Des Moines, IA, to Baltimore, MD, run $2,433 - $8,792 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,250 - $4,656, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $711 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,766, 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 Social Security Administration and Laureate International Universities.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Baltimore, MD
Is Baltimore a safe place to live?
Baltimore has a safety index of 27.28 out of 100 and a crime index of 72.72, 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 size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Maryland?
Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($290 - $332), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $134/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
