($493+) Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Lexington, KY, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $493 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,874 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 659 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 $1,493, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,874 or more.
- Moving containers run $951 - $3,185, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $493 - $1,259.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lexington, KY, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,271 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 Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Lexington 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 $2,271 - $5,665. Moving containers run about 46% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 78% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 659-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 659-mile route from Lexington to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,493 for a studio up to $7,874 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $951 - $3,185 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $493 - $1,259, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $892 - $2,626, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 659-mile relocation from Lexington, Kentucky, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,493 and $7,874. 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 $268 - $1,788, 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 Lexington typically charge a base rate around $197 plus $70 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lexington to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,493 - $4,063
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,271 - $5,665
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,030 - $7,874
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 Lexington to Des Moines.
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 Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 67% of Lexington 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 packing67% of local movers | $447 - $4,470 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC | $179 - $1,073/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $268 - $2,146 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage23% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs68% of local movers | $894 - $2,682 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,235 - $8,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $670 - $1,272 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $894 - $2,235 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: From Here To There, LLC | $715 - $3,129 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $268 - $1,341 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect18% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: From Here To There, LLC | $581 - $1,788 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $268 - $13,410+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $268 - $3,129+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Lexington 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Lexington, KY. 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 Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Lexington, Kentucky, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $951 and $3,185. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Lexington typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lexington to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $951 - $1,775
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,220 - $2,382
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,803 - $3,185
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $67 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $134 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 $626 in Lexington, KY. 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 Kentucky 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 $951. 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 $1,220 - $2,382.
What are the best moving containers Lexington 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 Lexington 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 Lexington:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 20 years in business
- From Here To There, LLC (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- My 3 Son's Moving, 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 659-mile move from Lexington, Kentucky, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $493 and $1,259. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $187 - $214
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Lexington 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 Lexington to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $493 - $904
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $506 - $1,030
- 4+ bedrooms: $625 - $1,259
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $493 - $1,259 when pricing out a rental truck from Lexington to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $187 - $214, and overnight lodging ($134/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $67 and $313.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $134.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $187 and $214 for the 659-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $626 for 2 movers in Lexington, Kentucky, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Lexington 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 Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA
For larger DIY moves from Lexington, Kentucky, 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 a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $997 and $1,986.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lexington to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $892 - $1,614
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $997 - $1,986
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,388 - $2,626
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Lexington, Kentucky, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $626.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $67 - $134 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 Lexington to Des Moines?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Lexington 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: Lexington, KY vs Des Moines, IA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Lexington and Des Moines to plan around. Cost of living index: 91 vs. 87. Average rent: $1,345/mo vs. $1,150/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 90 vs. 45. Safety index: 49.12 vs. 57.8.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Lexington, KY guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Kentucky 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 75 movers licensed in Kentucky, useful context for sizing up this 659-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Lexington, KY, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,493 for a studio to $7,874 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 659-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $951 - $3,185. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $493 - $1,259, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,271 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Lexington, KY, to Des Moines, IA
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 90 and 85 in Lexington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($187 - $214), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $134/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Lexington, KY 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 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 percentage of Lexington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Lexington handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.