($721+) Baton Rouge, LA to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Baton Rouge, LA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $693 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,231 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,000 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,144, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,231 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,207 - $3,944, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $693 - $1,922.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Baton Rouge, LA, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,617 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 Baton Rouge, LA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Baton Rouge 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 $2,617 - $6,472 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 1,000 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,000-mile route from Baton Rouge to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,144 - $4,924 with full-service movers, $1,207 - $2,268 with a container, $693 - $1,343 with a rental truck, or $1,152 - $2,101 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,617 - $6,472 full-service, $1,522 - $3,122 by container, $786 - $1,564 by rental truck, or $1,293 - $2,522 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,288 - $8,231 full-service, $2,074 - $3,944 by container, $922 - $1,922 by rental truck, or $1,727 - $3,352 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 Baton Rouge, LA to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 1,000-mile relocation from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $2,144 and $8,231. 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 $272 - $1,812, 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 Baton Rouge typically charge a base rate around $558 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Baton Rouge to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,144 - $4,924
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,617 - $6,472
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,288 - $8,231
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 Baton Rouge to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Louisiana 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 Baton Rouge, LA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 67% of Baton Rouge 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 packing67% of local movers | $453 - $4,530 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $181 - $1,087/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $272 - $2,174 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs17% of local movers | $906 - $2,718 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,265 - $9,060 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $679 - $1,289 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $906 - $2,265 |
| Piano | Any piano type50% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $725 - $3,171 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $272 - $1,359 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $589 - $1,812 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $272 - $13,590+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $272 - $3,171+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Baton Rouge to Des Moines?
Look for Iowa Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Iowa beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Baton Rouge, LA. 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 Baton Rouge, LA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,207 and $3,944. 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 Baton Rouge typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Baton Rouge to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,207 - $2,268
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,522 - $3,122
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,074 - $3,944
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Baton Rouge, LA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $634, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $68 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $136 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Baton Rouge, LA, and Des Moines, IA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Louisiana 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 $1,207. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,522 - $3,122, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 14 years in business
- A & L Movers (4.5/5), 11 years in business
- Acadiana Movers (4.4/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Baton Rouge, LA to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $693 - $1,922 for the 1,000-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $288 - $329
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Baton Rouge daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Baton Rouge to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $693 - $1,343
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $786 - $1,564
- 4+ bedrooms: $922 - $1,922
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $693 - $1,922 when pricing out a rental truck from Baton Rouge to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs ($288 - $329) , and overnight lodging ($136/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $68 and $317.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $136.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $288 and $329 for the 1,000-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 $634 for 2 movers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge, LA to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 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 $1,293 and $2,522.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Baton Rouge to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,152 - $2,101
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,293 - $2,522
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,727 - $3,352
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $68 - $136 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for about five hours typically runs $634.
What are the best freight companies from Baton Rouge 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.
- A-Z Delivery, Inc. (4.26/5 stars): A-Z Delivery, Inc. 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Baton Rouge to Des Moines. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Baton Rouge, LA vs Des Moines, IA
Baton Rouge and Des Moines land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 93 in Baton Rouge and 87 in Des Moines, and rent tracks closely too ($1,250/mo vs. $1,150/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (39 vs 45) and safety scores (30.74 vs 57.8) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Baton Rouge, LA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Louisiana 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 29 movers licensed in Louisiana, useful context for sizing up this 1,000-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,000-mile route from Baton Rouge, LA, to Des Moines, IA, run $2,144 - $8,231 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,207 - $3,944, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $693 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,617, 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 Baton Rouge, LA, 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 Baton Rouge?
Local movers based in Baton Rouge typically start around $558 as a base rate, plus $150/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 Baton Rouge, LA to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,144 to $8,231, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,144 and $8,231, 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 Baton Rouge movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 50% of movers in Baton Rouge handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
