($755+) Des Moines, IA to Newark, NJ Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Newark, NJ, runs anywhere from $748 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,814 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,098 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 $2,159, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,814 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,228 - $4,462, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $748 - $2,015.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Newark, NJ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,712 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 Newark, NJ
Moving options from Des Moines to Newark 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 $2,712 - $6,839 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 1,098 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,098-mile route from Des Moines to Newark, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,159 - $5,060, container $1,228 - $2,362, rental truck $748 - $1,406, freight trailer $1,139 - $2,145.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,712 - $6,839, container $1,614 - $3,189, rental truck $792 - $1,706, freight trailer $1,265 - $2,474.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,324 - $8,814, container $2,202 - $4,462, rental truck $955 - $2,015, freight trailer $1,674 - $3,332.
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 Newark, NJ
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,098-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Newark, New Jersey, with prices running from $2,159 - $8,814. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $319 - $2,124 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Des Moines and Newark are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Des Moines movers tend to run around $737 as a base rate plus $142/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Newark:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,159 - $5,060
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,712 - $6,839
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,324 - $8,814
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 Newark.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to New Jersey. 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 Newark, NJ
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Newark, 94% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $531 - $5,310 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $212 - $1,274/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $319 - $2,549 |
| 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 | $1,062 - $3,186 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,655 - $10,620 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $795 - $1,511 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $1,062 - $2,655 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $850 - $3,717 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $319 - $1,593 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $690 - $2,124 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $319 - $15,930+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $319 - $3,717+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Newark?
Movers licensed to operate in New Jersey are typically members of the New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Des Moines, IA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Newark, NJ
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Newark, New Jersey, cost between $1,228 and $4,462. 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 Newark:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,228 - $2,362
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,614 - $3,189
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,202 - $4,462
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Des Moines, IA and Newark, NJ. 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 $743 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 $80 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $159 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 New Jersey 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 $1,228. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,614 - $3,189, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Newark?
- 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 Newark, NJ
Renting a moving truck for the 1,098-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Newark, New Jersey, costs between $748 and $2,015, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $371 - $424
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- 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 Newark based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $748 - $1,406
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $792 - $1,706
- 4+ bedrooms: $955 - $2,015
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $748 - $2,015 when pricing out a rental truck from Des Moines to Newark. Fuel alone runs ($371 - $424) , and overnight lodging ($159/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $159 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 $743 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,098-mile drive falls between $371 and $424, 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 $53 and $319 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Newark?
- 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 Newark, NJ
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 Newark, New Jersey.
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 $1,265 and $2,474.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Newark:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,139 - $2,145
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,265 - $2,474
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,674 - $3,332
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $80 and $159.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly five hours typically average $743.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Newark?
- 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Newark, NJ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Newark, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 135 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $2,300/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $335,418 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $48,416/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 13.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | Up to 10.7% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 76/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 24.76/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Newark, NJ to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to New Jersey 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 1,098-mile route.
Our take
The 1,098-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Newark, NJ, costs between $2,159 and $8,814 with full-service movers, $1,228 - $4,462 with a moving container, and $748 - $2,015 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 $2,712 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 Panasonic Corporation of North America and Prudential Financial.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Newark, NJ
What is the best time of year to move from Des Moines, IA to Newark, NJ?
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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Des Moines, IA to Newark, NJ?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Newark a safe place to live?
Newark has a safety index of 24.76 out of 100 and a crime index of 75.24, 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.
How walkable is Newark?
Newark has a walkability score of 76 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 51, compared to 45 and 39 in Des Moines. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Newark?
For families, Downtown, Upper Vailsburg, and Seventh Avenue are worth a look in Newark. If you're moving solo or without kids, North Ironbound, South Ironbound, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.
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.
