($728+) Des Moines, IA to Winston-Salem, NC Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Winston-Salem, NC, runs anywhere from $680 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,396 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,011 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 $2,165, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,396 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,158 - $3,902, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $680 - $1,980.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Winston-Salem, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,589 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 Winston-Salem, NC
Moving options from Des Moines to Winston-Salem fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,589 - $6,151 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,011 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,011-mile route from Des Moines to Winston-Salem, 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 $2,165 - $5,382 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,158 - $2,133), rental truck ($680 - $1,303), or freight trailer ($1,064 - $2,000). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,589 - $6,151 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,396.
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 Winston-Salem, NC
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,011-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with costs ranging from $2,165 - $8,396. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $257 - $1,716. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Des Moines and Winston-Salem. Local movers in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate plus $142/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Winston-Salem:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,165 - $5,382
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,589 - $6,151
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,331 - $8,396
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 Winston-Salem.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to North Carolina. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Winston-Salem, NC
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Winston-Salem, 90% 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 Winston-Salem?
Look for North Carolina Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in North Carolina 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 Winston-Salem, NC
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, cost between $1,158 and $3,902. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Des Moines typically runs around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Winston-Salem:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,158 - $2,133
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,600 - $3,029
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,138 - $3,902
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Des Moines, IA and Winston-Salem, NC. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $601 in Des Moines, IA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $64 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $129 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to North Carolina 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 $1,158. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,600 - $3,029, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Winston-Salem?
- 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 Winston-Salem, NC
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,011 miles from Des Moines, Iowa, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, running $680 - $1,980. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $276 - $315
- 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 Winston-Salem based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $680 - $1,303
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $764 - $1,486
- 4+ bedrooms: $941 - $1,980
Pro tip: A rental truck from Des Moines to Winston-Salem looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $680 - $1,980. But once you factor in fuel ($276 - $315) , overnight lodging ($129/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $129 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $56 and $279 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $276 - $315 in fuel for the 1,011-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $601 in Des Moines, Iowa, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Winston-Salem?
- 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 Winston-Salem, NC
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 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 $1,242 and $2,572.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Winston-Salem:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,064 - $2,000
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,242 - $2,572
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,608 - $3,122
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 Winston-Salem?
- 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 (4.5/5 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 are a great option when you need your belongings in Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem, NC
Good news for your budget: Winston-Salem isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Des Moines. Cost of living index runs 84 there against 87 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 45/100 and 57.8/100 here versus 22/100 and 67.33/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Winston-Salem, NC to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to North Carolina 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 1,011-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,011-mile route from Des Moines, IA, to Winston-Salem, NC, run $2,165 - $8,396 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,158 - $3,902, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $680 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,589, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Winston-Salem tend to point to no traffic and friendly people, though summertime humidity and allergy-inducing pollen come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Novant Health.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Winston-Salem, NC
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Winston-Salem, NC 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 Winston-Salem?
For families, Sherwood Forest, Ardmore, and Buena Vista are worth a look in Winston-Salem. If you're moving solo or without kids, West End, Ardmore, and Buena Vista tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Winston-Salem, NC?
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 $764 - $1,486. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Winston-Salem a safe place to live?
Winston-Salem has a safety index of 67.33 out of 100 and a crime index of 32.67, 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 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.
