($605+) Des Moines, IA to Pittsburgh, PA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Pittsburgh, PA, runs anywhere from $565 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,951 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 778 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,715, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,951 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,084 - $3,829, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $565 - $1,532.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Pittsburgh, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,321 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 Pittsburgh, PA
Moving options from Des Moines to Pittsburgh fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,321 - $6,280 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 778-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 778-mile route from Des Moines to Pittsburgh, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,715 - $4,770 | $1,084 - $1,935 | $565 - $1,086 | $1,006 - $1,815 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,321 - $6,280 | $1,465 - $2,852 | $636 - $1,263 | $1,172 - $2,169 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,137 - $7,951 | $1,869 - $3,829 | $764 - $1,532 | $1,479 - $2,975 |
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 Pittsburgh, PA
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, costs between $1,715 and $7,951. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 778-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $267 - $1,780, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Des Moines and Pittsburgh. For a rough baseline, movers based in Des Moines tend to start around $737 plus $142/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Pittsburgh:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,715 - $4,770
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,321 - $6,280
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,137 - $7,951
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 Pittsburgh.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Pennsylvania. 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 Pittsburgh, PA
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Pittsburgh, 73% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $445 - $4,450 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $178 - $1,068/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $267 - $2,136 |
| 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 | $890 - $2,670 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,225 - $8,900 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $667 - $1,266 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $890 - $2,225 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $712 - $3,115 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $267 - $1,335 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $579 - $1,780 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $267 - $13,350+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $267 - $3,115+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Pittsburgh?
Movers licensed to operate in Pennsylvania are typically members of the Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates, 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Des Moines, IA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Pittsburgh, PA
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,084 and $3,829. 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 Pittsburgh:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,084 - $1,935
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,465 - $2,852
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,869 - $3,829
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $623 in Des Moines, IA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $67 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $134 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Pittsburgh, PA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Pennsylvania 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 $1,084. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,465 - $2,852, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Pittsburgh?
- 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 Pittsburgh, PA
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, range from $565 - $1,532 for the 778-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $220 - $252
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- 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 Pittsburgh based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $565 - $1,086
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $636 - $1,263
- 4+ bedrooms: $764 - $1,532
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Des Moines to Pittsburgh starts at $565 - $1,532, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($220 - $252) , overnight lodging ($134/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $134 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 $623 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 778-mile drive falls between $220 and $252, 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 $45 and $267 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Pittsburgh?
- 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 Pittsburgh, PA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 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 $801 and $2,169.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Pittsburgh:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,006 - $1,815
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,172 - $2,169
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,479 - $2,975
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?
- 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 $67 and $134.
- 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 $623.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Pittsburgh?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- 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 operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
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 Pittsburgh, PA
Day-to-day costs in Pittsburgh are close to what you're used to in Des Moines: cost of living index of 92 versus 87, with average rent of $1,500/mo compared to $1,150/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines versus 62/100 and 62.26/100 in Pittsburgh.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Pittsburgh, PA 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 Pennsylvania, 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 778-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to Pittsburgh, PA, 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 $1,715 - $7,951 on the 778-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,084 - $3,829 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $565 - $1,532 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,321 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include UPMC and The PNC Financial Services Group.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Pittsburgh, PA
What is the best time of year to move from Des Moines, IA to Pittsburgh, PA?
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 do I know a mover is licensed in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires moving companies that transport household goods within the state to obtain a license from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). Licenses are renewed every 1 to 2 years.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($220 - $252), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $134/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh has a walkability score of 62 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 55, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Pittsburgh, PA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,715 to $7,951, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,715 and $7,951, 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.
