($479+) Des Moines, IA to Ann Arbor, MI Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Ann Arbor, MI, runs anywhere from $465 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,428 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 557 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,392, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,428 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,046 - $3,126, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $465 - $1,200.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Ann Arbor, MI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,260 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 Ann Arbor, MI
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Ann Arbor: 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 $2,260 - $5,841. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 557 miles, expect 1 to 6 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 557-mile route from Des Moines to Ann Arbor, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,392 - $4,301, container $1,046 - $1,919, rental truck $465 - $890, freight trailer $942 - $1,612.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,260 - $5,841, container $1,302 - $2,652, rental truck $496 - $1,066, freight trailer $1,022 - $2,081.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,101 - $8,428, container $1,771 - $3,126, rental truck $612 - $1,200, freight trailer $1,417 - $2,475.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Ann Arbor, MI
For the 557-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, full-service movers cost between $1,392 and $8,428. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $284 - $1,892 (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 Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,392 - $4,301
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,260 - $5,841
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,101 - $8,428
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 Ann Arbor.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Michigan. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Ann Arbor, MI
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Ann Arbor, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $473 - $4,730 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $189 - $1,135/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $284 - $2,270 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $946 - $2,838 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,365 - $9,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $709 - $1,346 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $946 - $2,365 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $757 - $3,311 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $284 - $1,419 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $615 - $1,892 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $284 - $14,190+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $284 - $3,311+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Ann Arbor?
All three below meet the standards set by the Michigan Movers Association, the group most Michigan 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 Ann Arbor, MI
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, cost between $1,046 and $3,126. 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 Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,046 - $1,919
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,302 - $2,652
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,771 - $3,126
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $71 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $142 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 $662 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 Ann Arbor, MI, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Michigan 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 $1,046. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,302 - $2,652, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Ann Arbor?
- 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:
- 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 Ann Arbor, MI
Plan on $465 - $1,200 for a rental moving truck on the 557-mile route from Des Moines, Iowa, to Ann Arbor, Michigan. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $168 - $192
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- 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 Ann Arbor based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $465 - $890
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $496 - $1,066
- 4+ bedrooms: $612 - $1,200
Pro tip: A rental truck from Des Moines to Ann Arbor looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $465 - $1,200. But once you factor in fuel ($168 - $192) , overnight lodging ($142/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $142 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 $662 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 557-mile drive falls between $168 and $192, 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 $47 and $284 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Ann Arbor?
- 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 Ann Arbor, MI
If you're moving a larger household from Des Moines, Iowa, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,022 and $2,081.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $942 - $1,612
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,022 - $2,081
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,417 - $2,475
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $662.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $71 - $142 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 Ann Arbor?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Ann Arbor fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Ann Arbor, MI
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Ann Arbor, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Ann Arbor, MI |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $2,260/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $435,434 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $81,089/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 52/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 79.18/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Ann Arbor, MI to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Michigan 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 557-mile route.
Our take
The 557-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Ann Arbor, MI, costs between $1,392 and $8,428 with full-service movers, $1,046 - $3,126 with a moving container, and $465 - $1,200 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 $2,260 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 University of Michigan and NSK Americas, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Ann Arbor, MI
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 Ann Arbor run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Ann Arbor, MI 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 are the best neighborhoods in Ann Arbor?
For families, Burns Park, Eberwhite, and Water Hill are worth a look in Ann Arbor. If you're moving solo or without kids, Kerrytown, Lower Burns Park, and Old West Side tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Ann Arbor, MI?
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 $496 - $1,066. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Ann Arbor a safe place to live?
Ann Arbor has a safety index of 79.18 out of 100 and a crime index of 31.0, 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 percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
