($781+) Des Moines, IA to El Paso, TX Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to El Paso, TX, runs anywhere from $728 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,245 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,130 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 $2,351, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,245 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,276 - $4,518, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $728 - $2,195.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to El Paso, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,757 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 El Paso, TX
Moving options from Des Moines to El Paso fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,757 - $6,255 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 1,130-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,130-mile route from Des Moines to El Paso, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,351 - $5,032 with full-service movers, $1,276 - $2,385 with a container, $728 - $1,516 with a rental truck, or $1,125 - $2,168 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,757 - $6,255 full-service, $1,561 - $3,255 by container, $827 - $1,683 by rental truck, or $1,328 - $2,525 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,764 - $9,245 full-service, $2,244 - $4,518 by container, $999 - $2,195 by rental truck, or $1,760 - $3,441 by freight.
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 El Paso, TX
Hiring full-service movers from Des Moines, Iowa, to El Paso, Texas, costs between $2,351 and $9,245. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,130-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $255 - $1,700, 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 El Paso. 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 El Paso:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,351 - $5,032
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,757 - $6,255
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,764 - $9,245
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 El Paso.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to El Paso, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In El Paso, 89% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $425 - $4,250 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $170 - $1,020/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $255 - $2,040 |
| 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 | $850 - $2,550 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,125 - $8,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $637 - $1,210 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $850 - $2,125 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $680 - $2,975 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $255 - $1,275 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $553 - $1,700 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $255 - $12,750+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $255 - $2,975+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to El Paso?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
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 El Paso, TX
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to El Paso, Texas, cost between $1,276 and $4,518. 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 El Paso:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,276 - $2,385
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,561 - $3,255
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,244 - $4,518
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Des Moines, IA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $595, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $64 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $128 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Des Moines, IA, and El Paso, TX, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Texas 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 $1,276. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,561 - $3,255, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to El Paso?
- 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 El Paso, TX
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to El Paso, Texas, range from $728 - $2,195 for the 1,130-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $306 - $349
- 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 El Paso based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $728 - $1,516
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $827 - $1,683
- 4+ bedrooms: $999 - $2,195
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $728 - $2,195 does not include fuel ($306 - $349) , lodging ($128/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Des Moines to El Paso typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $595.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $306 - $349 for the 1,130-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $51 and $276, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $128 per night for hotel stops on the 1,130-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $255 - $383.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to El Paso?
- 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 El Paso, TX
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to El Paso, Texas, 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 $1,328 and $2,525.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to El Paso:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,125 - $2,168
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,328 - $2,525
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,760 - $3,441
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $64 - $128 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, typically costs $595.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to El Paso?
- 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 one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to El Paso quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs El Paso, TX
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Des Moines and El Paso to plan around. Cost of living index: 87 vs. 82. Average rent: $1,150/mo vs. $1,510/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 40. Safety index: 57.8 vs. 67.49.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our El Paso, TX to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 5 quotes from Iowa to Texas, 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 1,130-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,130-mile route from Des Moines, IA, to El Paso, TX, run $2,351 - $9,245 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,276 - $4,518, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $728 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,757, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to El Paso tend to point to low cost of living and pleasant climate, though hot summers and limited jobs come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Fort Bliss and El Paso Independent School District.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to El Paso, TX
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($306 - $349), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $128/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to El Paso, TX?
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 $827 - $1,683. 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 El Paso, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $2,351 to $9,245, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,351 and $9,245, 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 3 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 El Paso 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 75% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
