($357+) Des Moines, IA to St. Louis, MO Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to St. Louis, MO, runs anywhere from $333 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,615 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $1,115, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,615 or more.
- Moving containers run $869 - $2,831, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $333 - $914.
- 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 $1,711 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 handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $1,711 - $4,906. 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 1 to 4 days for this 348-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 348-mile route from Des Moines to St. Louis, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,115 - $4,000 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($869 - $1,700), rental truck ($333 - $607), or freight trailer ($847 - $1,530). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,711 - $4,906 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $6,615.
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 St. Louis, MO
For the 348-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to St. Louis, Missouri, full-service movers cost between $1,115 and $6,615. 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: $1,115 - $4,000
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,711 - $4,906
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,818 - $6,615
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Missouri. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In St. Louis, 86% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $429 - $4,290 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% 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 coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% 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 items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $858 - $2,145 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $686 - $3,003 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $257 - $1,287 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $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 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.
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 $1,626 - $4,661. Working with a local mover based in Des Moines, IA often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.58/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Des Moines, ranked #1 in Iowa, based on our analysis of feedback from 251 customers, 91.6% 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 $869 and $2,831. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Des Moines typically costs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $869 - $1,700
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,228 - $2,294
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,562 - $2,831
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 $869. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,228 - $2,294, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- 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 St. Louis, MO
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to St. Louis, Missouri, range from $333 - $914 for the 348-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- 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: $333 - $607
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $350 - $771
- 4+ bedrooms: $467 - $914
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $333 - $914 when pricing out a rental truck from Des Moines to St. Louis. Fuel alone runs ($95 - $109) , and overnight lodging ($129/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
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 $64 and $300.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $129.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $95 and $109 for the 348-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 $601 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 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 $1,871.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $847 - $1,530
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $964 - $1,871
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,250 - $2,377
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 $601.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $64 and $129 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to St. Louis?
- 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 are a great option when you need your belongings in St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Des Moines and St. Louis to plan around. Cost of living index: 87 vs. 84. Average rent: $1,150/mo vs. $1,250/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 66. Safety index: 57.8 vs. 30.35.
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 36 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 $1,115 - $6,615 on the 348-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $869 - $2,831 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $333 - $914 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,711 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 is the best time of year to move from Des Moines, IA to St. Louis, MO?
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 long does a move from Des Moines, IA to St. Louis, MO 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 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 $350 - $771. 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 $1,115 to $6,615, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,115 and $6,615, 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 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.
