($324+) Des Moines, IA to St. Louis, MO Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to St. Louis, MO, runs anywhere from $324 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,111 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 348 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,041, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,111 or more.
- Moving containers run $819 - $2,617, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $324 - $845.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to St. Louis, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,731 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 St. Louis, MO
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to St. Louis: 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 $1,731 - $4,674. Containers cost roughly 38% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 81% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 348 miles, expect 1 to 4 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 348-mile route from Des Moines to St. Louis, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,041 for a studio up to $6,111 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $819 - $2,617 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $324 - $845, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $761 - $2,093, 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 November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to St. Louis, MO
For the 348-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to St. Louis, Missouri, full-service movers cost between $1,041 and $6,111. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $257 - $1,716 (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 St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,041 - $3,662
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,731 - $4,674
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,428 - $6,111
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 St. Louis.
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 St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Louis, 68% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $429 - $4,290 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $172 - $1,030/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $257 - $2,059 |
| 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 | $858 - $2,574 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,145 - $8,580 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $643 - $1,221 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $858 - $2,145 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $686 - $3,003 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $257 - $1,287 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $558 - $1,716 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $257 - $12,870+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $257 - $3,003+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to St. Louis?
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Des Moines, IA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Des Moines to St. Louis with a local mover averages $1,645 - $4,441. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Des Moines, IA can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.56/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Des Moines, ranked #1 in Iowa, based on our analysis of feedback from 1,052 customers, 93.8% of which is positive.
Address: 2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA, 50322 | Founded: 1997
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $819 and $2,617. 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 St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $819 - $1,497
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,070 - $1,996
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,385 - $2,617
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $64 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $129 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in St. Louis, MO, 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 $601 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 Missouri 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 $819. 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 $1,070 - $1,996.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to St. Louis?
- 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 St. Louis, MO
Renting a moving truck for the 348-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to St. Louis, Missouri, costs between $324 and $845, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $95 - $109
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- 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 St. Louis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $324 - $590
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $337 - $692
- 4+ bedrooms: $427 - $845
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $324 - $845 does not include fuel ($95 - $109), lodging ($129/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Des Moines to St. Louis typically runs 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 $129 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 $601 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 348-mile drive falls between $95 and $109, 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 $43 and $257 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to St. Louis?
- 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 St. Louis, MO
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to St. Louis, Missouri. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $772 and $1,664.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $761 - $1,429
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $900 - $1,664
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,167 - $2,093
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $601.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $64 - $129 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 St. Louis?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Des Moines to St. Louis, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs St. Louis, MO
Day-to-day costs in St. Louis are close to what you're used to in Des Moines: cost of living index of 84 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 66/100 and 30.35/100 in St. Louis.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Louis, MO 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 Missouri, 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 348-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to St. Louis, MO, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,041 - $6,111 on the 348-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $819 - $2,617 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $324 - $845 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,731 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to St. Louis tend to point to rich culture and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though poor education and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include BJC HealthCare and Walmart.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to St. Louis, MO
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($95 - $109), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $129/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to St. Louis, MO?
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 $337 - $692. 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 St. Louis, MO?
Costs on this route range from around $324 to $6,111, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,041 and $6,111, 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 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 St. Louis run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.