($389+) Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Evansville, IN, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $389 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,632 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 513 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,118, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,632 or more.
- Moving containers run $965 - $3,012, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $389 - $1,074.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Evansville, IN, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,002 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 Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Evansville to Des Moines 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 $2,002 - $4,914 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 78% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 513 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 513-mile route from Evansville to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,118 - $3,612 | $965 - $1,680 | $389 - $737 | $877 - $1,436 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,002 - $4,914 | $1,225 - $2,389 | $432 - $865 | $922 - $1,856 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,394 - $7,632 | $1,662 - $3,012 | $549 - $1,074 | $1,343 - $2,266 |
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 Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 513-mile relocation from Evansville, Indiana, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,118 and $7,632. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $248 - $1,656, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Evansville typically charge a base rate around $431 plus $155 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Evansville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,118 - $3,612
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,002 - $4,914
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,394 - $7,632
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 Evansville to Des Moines.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 40% of Evansville 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 packing80% of local movers | $414 - $4,140 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready40% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $166 - $994/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $248 - $1,987 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $828 - $2,484 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,070 - $8,280 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $620 - $1,178 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% nationallyTop pick: You Move Me | $828 - $2,070 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $662 - $2,898 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $248 - $1,242 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: Kentuckiana Moving, LLC (IN) | $538 - $1,656 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $248 - $12,420+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $248 - $2,898+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Evansville to Des Moines?
Movers licensed to operate in Iowa are typically members of the Iowa Motor Truck 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 Evansville, IN. 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 Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Evansville, Indiana, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $965 and $3,012. 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 Evansville runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Evansville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $965 - $1,680
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,225 - $2,389
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,662 - $3,012
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $62 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $124 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Des Moines, IA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $580 in Evansville, IN. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Indiana 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 $965. 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 $1,225 - $2,389.
What are the best moving containers Evansville 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 Evansville 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 Evansville:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- You Move Me (4.8/5), 10 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA
Renting a moving truck for the 513-mile move from Evansville, Indiana, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $389 and $1,074, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $135 - $154
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Evansville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Evansville to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $389 - $737
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $432 - $865
- 4+ bedrooms: $549 - $1,074
Pro tip: A rental truck from Evansville to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $389 - $1,074. But once you factor in fuel ($135 - $154), overnight lodging ($124/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $135 - $154 for the 513-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Evansville, Indiana, for about 5 hours typically costs around $580.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 513-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $124 per night, adding $248 - $373 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $41 and $248.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Evansville 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 Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Evansville, Indiana, 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 Des Moines, Iowa.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $922 and $1,856.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Evansville to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $877 - $1,436
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $922 - $1,856
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,343 - $2,266
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $62 and $124.
- 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 Evansville, Indiana, for roughly five hours typically average $580.
What are the best freight companies from Evansville to Des Moines?
- 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.
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 Des Moines 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: Evansville, IN vs Des Moines, IA
Day-to-day costs in Des Moines are close to what you're used to in Evansville: cost of living index of 87 versus 80, with average rent of $1,150/mo compared to $867/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 44/100 and 56.42/100 in Evansville versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Evansville, IN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Indiana to Iowa over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 137 movers in our Indiana network to compare for this 513-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 513-mile route from Evansville, IN, to Des Moines, IA, run $1,118 - $7,632 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $965 - $3,012, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $389 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,002, 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 Evansville, IN, to Des Moines, IA
What are the best neighborhoods in Des Moines?
For families, Linden Heights, Waterbury, and Waveland Park are worth a look in Des Moines. If you're moving solo or without kids, Sherman Hill, Downtown, and East Village tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA?
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 $432 - $865. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Des Moines a safe place to live?
Des Moines has a safety index of 57.8 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 56.42 and 5.0 in Evansville. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA?
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 percentage of Evansville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Evansville handle piano moves, compared to 41% nationally.