($695+) Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Baltimore, MD, runs anywhere from $695 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,415 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,151, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,415 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,117 - $3,803, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $695 - $1,835.
- 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 $2,421 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. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,421 - $6,238 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 36% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 72% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,020 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
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:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,151 - $4,844, container $1,117 - $2,122, rental truck $695 - $1,319, freight trailer $1,016 - $2,006.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,421 - $6,238, container $1,543 - $3,040, rental truck $686 - $1,463, freight trailer $1,222 - $2,360.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,217 - $8,415, container $2,000 - $3,803, rental truck $934 - $1,835, freight trailer $1,535 - $3,231.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD
For the 1,020-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Baltimore, Maryland, full-service movers cost between $2,151 and $8,415. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $268 - $1,788 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Des Moines generally start around $737 plus $142 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,151 - $4,844
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,421 - $6,238
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,217 - $8,415
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.
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.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD
Specialty needs vary by market: 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Baltimore, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing62% of local movers | $447 - $4,470 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% 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: Adamantine Spine Moving | $894 - $2,235 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% 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 Baltimore?
Look for Maryland Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Maryland beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Des Moines, IA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Baltimore, Maryland, cost between $1,117 and $3,803. 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 Baltimore. 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 Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,117 - $2,122
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,543 - $3,040
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,000 - $3,803
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 $1,117. 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 $1,543 - $3,040.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Baltimore?
- 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 Baltimore, MD
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,020 miles from Des Moines, Iowa, to Baltimore, Maryland, running $695 - $1,835. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- 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: $695 - $1,319
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $686 - $1,463
- 4+ bedrooms: $934 - $1,835
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $695 - $1,835 when pricing out a rental truck from Des Moines to Baltimore. Fuel alone runs $290 - $332, and overnight lodging ($134/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $290 - $332 for the 1,020-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours typically costs around $626.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,020-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $134 per night, adding $268 - $402 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $45 and $268.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Baltimore?
- 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 Baltimore, MD
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Des Moines, Iowa, to Baltimore, Maryland. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,222 and $2,360.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,016 - $2,006
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,222 - $2,360
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,535 - $3,231
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Des Moines, Iowa, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $626.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $67 - $134 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 Baltimore?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore, MD
Good news for your budget: Baltimore isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Des Moines. Cost of living index runs 93 there against 87 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 45/100 and 57.8/100 here versus 64/100 and 27.28/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Baltimore, MD 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 Maryland, 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 58 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,020-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Des Moines, IA, to Baltimore, MD, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,151 - $8,415 on the 1,020-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,117 - $3,803, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $695 - $1,835. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,421 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
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
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD?
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 $686 - $1,463. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD?
Costs on this route range from around $695 to $8,415, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,151 and $8,415, 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 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 12% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.