($497+) Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Lexington, KY, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $512 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,859 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $1,647, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,859 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,019 - $3,274, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $512 - $1,431.
- 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 $2,243 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
Moving options from Lexington 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 $2,243 - $6,006 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 659 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
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:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,647 - $4,663, container $1,019 - $1,901, rental truck $512 - $968, freight trailer $974 - $1,728.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,243 - $6,006, container $1,429 - $2,632, rental truck $547 - $1,183, freight trailer $1,068 - $2,169.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,941 - $8,859, container $1,784 - $3,274, rental truck $718 - $1,431, freight trailer $1,428 - $2,867.
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 Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 659-mile move from Lexington, Kentucky, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $1,647 - $8,859. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $268 - $1,788. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Lexington and Des Moines. Local movers in Lexington typically start around $197 as a base rate plus $70/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lexington to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,647 - $4,663
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,243 - $6,006
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,941 - $8,859
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Kentucky to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Lexington 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 | $447 - $4,470 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% 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 coverage43% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% 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 items57% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Vincent Fister Inc. | $894 - $2,235 |
| Piano | Any piano type86% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC | $715 - $3,129 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $268 - $1,341 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% 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?
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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Lexington, KY, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Lexington, Kentucky, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,019 and $3,274. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Des Moines. If you go over that window, storage in Lexington adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lexington to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,019 - $1,901
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,429 - $2,632
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,784 - $3,274
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 $626 in Lexington, KY. 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 $67 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $134 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 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 $1,019. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,429 - $2,632, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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
- Saunier Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.6/5), 38 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 is the cheapest way to cover the 659 miles from Lexington, Kentucky, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $512 - $1,431. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- 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: $512 - $968
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $547 - $1,183
- 4+ bedrooms: $718 - $1,431
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $512 - $1,431 does not include fuel ($187 - $214) , lodging ($134/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Lexington to Des Moines typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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
If you're moving a larger household from Lexington, Kentucky, 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. Most moves on this route fall between $1,068 and $2,169.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lexington to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $974 - $1,728
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,068 - $2,169
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,428 - $2,867
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $67 - $134 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Lexington, Kentucky, for about five hours typically runs $626.
What are the best freight companies from Lexington 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.
- Phoenix Transportation Services, LLC (4.38/5 stars): Phoenix Transportation Services, LLC 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: 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 moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Kentucky to Iowa, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Kentucky alone has 27 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 659-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 659-mile move from Lexington, KY, to Des Moines, IA, costs between $1,647 and $8,859 with full-service movers, $1,019 - $3,274 with a moving container, and $512 - $1,431 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 $2,243 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 Lexington, KY, to Des Moines, IA
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 Lexington?
Local movers based in Lexington typically start around $197 as a base rate, plus $70/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 Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,647 to $8,859, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,647 and $8,859, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Lexington, KY 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 $547 - $1,183. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Lexington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 86% of movers in Lexington handle piano moves, and 57% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
