($805+) Des Moines, IA to Norfolk, VA Movers

Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Norfolk, VA

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,203-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Norfolk, Virginia, with costs ranging from $2,255 - $9,049. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $266 - $1,772. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Des Moines and Norfolk. 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 Norfolk:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,255 - $5,433
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,940 - $7,025
• 4+ bedrooms: $5,090 - $9,049

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 Norfolk.

Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Norfolk, VA

Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Norfolk, 100% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Norfolk?

All three below meet the standards set by the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Virginia movers are affiliated with.

1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.

Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Norfolk, VA

Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Norfolk, Virginia, cost between $1,296 and $4,576. 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 Norfolk:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,296 - $2,528
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,772 - $3,523
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,285 - $4,576

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 $620 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 $66 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $133 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 Norfolk, VA, destination before booking.

What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Norfolk?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Norfolk, VA

A rental truck for this 1,203-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Norfolk, Virginia, costs between $789 and $2,182. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

• Fuel for the drive: $339 - $388
• 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

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Des Moines to Norfolk based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $789 - $1,445
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $837 - $1,862
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,040 - $2,182

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
• Lodging: Budget around $133 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 $620 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
• Gas: Fuel for the 1,203-mile drive falls between $339 and $388, 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 $44 and $266 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Norfolk?

1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
3. 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 Norfolk, VA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Norfolk, Virginia, 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 $1,297 and $2,710.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Norfolk:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,191 - $2,275
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,297 - $2,710
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,865 - $3,517

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 $66 and $133.
• 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 $620.

What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Norfolk?

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Norfolk, VA

Good news for your budget: Norfolk isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Des Moines. Cost of living index runs 91 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 46/100 and 41.9/100 there.