($317+) Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $317 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,998 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 332 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,030, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $5,998 or more.
- Moving containers run $871 - $2,563, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $317 - $870.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,647 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 Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Chicago to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,647 - $4,625 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 36% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 79% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 332 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 4 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 332-mile route from Chicago to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,030 - $3,519 with full-service movers, $871 - $1,604 with a container, $317 - $602 with a rental truck, or $799 - $1,333 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,647 - $4,625 full-service, $1,059 - $1,996 by container, $348 - $671 by rental truck, or $882 - $1,681 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $2,529 - $5,998 full-service, $1,429 - $2,563 by container, $427 - $870 by rental truck, or $1,179 - $2,114 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Chicago, Illinois, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,030 and $5,998. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 332-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $295 - $1,968, 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 Chicago and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Chicago tend to start around $220 plus $100/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 Chicago to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,030 - $3,519
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,647 - $4,625
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,529 - $5,998
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 Chicago to Des Moines.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $492 - $4,920 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $197 - $1,181/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $295 - $2,362 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $984 - $2,952 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,460 - $9,840 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $737 - $1,400 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $984 - $2,460 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $787 - $3,444 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $295 - $1,476 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $640 - $1,968 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $295 - $14,760+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $295 - $3,444+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Des Moines?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Iowa Motor Truck 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.
How much do local movers cost in Chicago, IL?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Chicago to Des Moines with a local mover averages $1,631 - $4,579. A local mover in Chicago, IL is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.
Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.
Mighty Moving & Storage (4.76/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Chicago, based on our analysis of feedback from 178 customers, 97.2% of which is positive.
Address: 1228 Humbracht Circle, Bartlett, IL, 60103 | Founded: 2022
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $871 and $2,563. 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 Chicago runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $871 - $1,604
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,059 - $1,996
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,429 - $2,563
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 $689 in Chicago, IL. 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 $74 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $148 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 Des Moines, IA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Iowa 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 $871. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,059 - $1,996.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Des Moines?
- 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 Chicago 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 Chicago:
- Move-tastic (5.0/5), 17 years in business
- Windy City Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 44 years in business
- STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA
Renting a moving truck for the 332-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $317 and $870, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $104 - $119
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
| 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 Chicago to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $317 - $602
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $348 - $671
- 4+ bedrooms: $427 - $870
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $317 - $870 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $104 - $119, and overnight lodging ($148/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $148 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 Chicago, Illinois, usually costs about $689 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 332-mile drive falls between $104 and $119, 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 $49 and $295 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Des Moines?
- 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 Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Chicago, Illinois, to Des Moines, Iowa. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $882 and $1,681.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $799 - $1,333
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $882 - $1,681
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,179 - $2,114
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 $74 and $148.
- 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 Chicago, Illinois, for roughly five hours typically average $689.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Chicago to Des Moines, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Des Moines, IA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Des Moines, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 57.8/100 |
| 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 Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Iowa, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 314 movers licensed in Illinois, useful context for sizing up this 332-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 332-mile route from Chicago, IL, to Des Moines, IA, run $1,030 - $5,998 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $871 - $2,563, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $317 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,647, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Des Moines, IA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($104 - $119), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $148/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Des Moines?
Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 77 and 72 in Chicago. 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 Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $317 to $5,998, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,030 and $5,998, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA?
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.
What do local movers charge in Chicago?
Local movers based in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Des Moines run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.