($376+) Wichita, KS to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Wichita, KS, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $369 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,181 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 392 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 $1,206, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,181 or more.
- Moving containers run $965 - $2,925, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $369 - $914.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Wichita, KS, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,911 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 Wichita, KS to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Wichita to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $1,911 - $4,982. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 4 days for this 392-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 392-mile route from Wichita to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,206 - $4,081 with full-service movers, $965 - $1,748 with a container, $369 - $697 with a rental truck, or $885 - $1,484 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,911 - $4,982 full-service, $1,258 - $2,385 by container, $405 - $827 by rental truck, or $950 - $1,781 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,122 - $7,181 full-service, $1,604 - $2,925 by container, $508 - $914 by rental truck, or $1,245 - $2,410 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 Wichita, KS to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 392-mile relocation from Wichita, Kansas, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,206 and $7,181. 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 $254 - $1,692, 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 Wichita typically charge a base rate around $194 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Wichita to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,206 - $4,081
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,911 - $4,982
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,122 - $7,181
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 Wichita to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Kansas to Iowa. 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 Wichita, KS to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 83% of Wichita movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $423 - $4,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready83% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $169 - $1,015/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $254 - $2,030 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage33% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $846 - $2,538 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,115 - $8,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $634 - $1,204 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items33% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: American Movers | $846 - $2,115 |
| Piano | Any piano type83% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $677 - $2,961 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $254 - $1,269 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: American Movers | $550 - $1,692 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $254 - $12,690+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $254 - $2,961+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Wichita to Des Moines?
All three below meet the standards set by the Iowa Motor Truck Association, the group most Iowa movers are affiliated with.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Wichita, KS?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Wichita to Des Moines with a local mover averages $1,892 - $4,933. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Wichita, KS often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.52/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Wichita, ranked #1 in Kansas, based on our analysis of feedback from 250 customers, 82.8% of which is positive.
Address: 6920 W Central Ave #100, Wichita, KS, 67212 | Founded: 2003
Moving container costs from Wichita, KS to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Wichita, Kansas, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $965 and $2,925. 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 Wichita costs roughly $60/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Wichita to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $965 - $1,748
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,258 - $2,385
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,604 - $2,925
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $63 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $127 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $592 in Wichita, KS, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Des Moines, IA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Kansas 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 and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,258 - $2,385, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Wichita 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 Wichita 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 Wichita:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 23 years in business
- Titan Moving (4.8/5), 11 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 4 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Wichita, KS to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Wichita, Kansas, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $369 - $914 for the 392-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $106 - $121
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Wichita 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 Wichita to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $369 - $697
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $405 - $827
- 4+ bedrooms: $508 - $914
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $369 - $914 when pricing out a rental truck from Wichita to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs ($106 - $121) , and overnight lodging ($127/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $127 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $55 and $275 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $106 - $121 in fuel for the 392-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $592 in Wichita, Kansas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Wichita 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 Wichita, KS to Des Moines, IA
For larger DIY moves from Wichita, Kansas, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Des Moines, Iowa.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $950 and $1,781.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Wichita to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $885 - $1,484
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $950 - $1,781
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,245 - $2,410
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Wichita, Kansas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $592.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $63 - $127 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Wichita 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.
- Jantz Trucking (4.5/5 stars): Jantz Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
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: Wichita, KS vs Des Moines, IA
Day-to-day costs in Des Moines are close to what you're used to in Wichita: cost of living index of 87 versus 83, with average rent of $1,150/mo compared to $930/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 35/100 and 50.81/100 in Wichita 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 Wichita, KS guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Kansas 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 23 movers in our Kansas network to compare for this 392-mile move.
Our take
The 392-mile move from Wichita, KS, to Des Moines, IA, costs between $1,206 and $7,181 with full-service movers, $965 - $2,925 with a moving container, and $369 - $914 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $1,911 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Wichita, KS, 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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Iowa?
When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements.
What do local movers charge in Wichita?
Local movers based in Wichita typically start around $194 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 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.
How much does it cost to move from Wichita, KS to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,206 to $7,181, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,206 and $7,181, 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 Wichita movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 83% of movers in Wichita handle piano moves, and 33% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
