($687+) New Orleans, LA to Des Moines, IA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from New Orleans, LA to Des Moines, IA

Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $700 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 1,010 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 $2,276, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,231 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,243 - $3,902, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $700 - $1,903.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Orleans, LA, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,723 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from New Orleans, LA to Des Moines, IA

Moving options from New Orleans to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,723 - $6,218 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,010 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,010-mile route from New Orleans to Des Moines, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,276 - $5,076 $1,243 - $2,201 $700 - $1,343 $1,119 - $2,041
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,723 - $6,218 $1,522 - $3,122 $726 - $1,611 $1,255 - $2,373
4+ bedrooms $4,245 - $8,231 $2,222 - $3,902 $988 - $1,903 $1,778 - $3,286

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from New Orleans, LA to Des Moines, IA

Hiring full-service movers from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $2,276 and $8,231. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,010-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $288 - $1,920, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between New Orleans and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in New Orleans tend to start around $220 plus $100/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from New Orleans to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,276 - $5,076
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,723 - $6,218
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,245 - $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 New Orleans 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: 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 New Orleans, LA to Des Moines, IA

Specialty needs vary by market — 75% of New Orleans 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$480 - $4,800
Storage in transitNew place not ready75% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers$192 - $1,152/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$288 - $2,304
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers$960 - $2,880
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,400 - $9,600
Car shippingSecond vehicle$719 - $1,366
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items38% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc.$960 - $2,400
PianoAny piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers$768 - $3,360
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers$288 - $1,440
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect13% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc.$624 - $1,920
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$288 - $14,400+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$288 - $3,360+

What are the best full-service movers from New Orleans 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 New Orleans, LA, 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 New Orleans, LA to Des Moines, IA

Moving containers from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,243 and $3,902. 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 New Orleans adds around $80/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from New Orleans to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,243 - $2,201
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,522 - $3,122
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,222 - $3,902

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 New Orleans, LA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $672, 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 $72 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $144 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both New Orleans, 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 $1,243. 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 New Orleans to Des Moines?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans:

  • Lee Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.8/5), 72 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 38 years in business
  • AD Movers (4.7/5), 12 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from New Orleans, LA to Des Moines, IA

Renting a moving truck for the 1,010-mile move from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $700 and $1,903, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $309 - $353
  • Daily insurance: $29/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
  • New Orleans daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from New Orleans to Des Moines based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $700 - $1,343
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $726 - $1,611
  • 4+ bedrooms: $988 - $1,903

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $700 - $1,903 when pricing out a rental truck from New Orleans to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs ($309 - $353) , and overnight lodging ($144/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?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $144 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in New Orleans, Louisiana, usually costs about $672 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 1,010-mile drive falls between $309 and $353, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $48 and $288 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from New Orleans to Des Moines?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 New Orleans, LA to Des Moines, IA

Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Des Moines, Iowa. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.

Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,255 and $2,373.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from New Orleans to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,119 - $2,041
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,255 - $2,373
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,778 - $3,286

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 New Orleans, Louisiana, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $672.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $72 - $144 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 New Orleans to Des Moines?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
  3. T C I Trucking (4.66/5 stars): T C I Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from New Orleans 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: New Orleans, LA vs Des Moines, IA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Des Moines, side by side with New Orleans on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure New Orleans, LA Des Moines, IA
Cost of living index10287
Average rent$1,755/mo$1,150/mo
Median home value$300,283$183,553
Average income$55,339/yr$63,966/yr
Unemployment rate11.0%5.9%
State income taxUp to 4.25%Up to 4.4%
Walkability score58/10045/100
Safety index32.69/10057.8/100
Air qualityGoodGood

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to New Orleans, LA guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Louisiana 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. Louisiana alone has 29 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,010-mile move like this one.

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Our take

For a move from New Orleans, LA, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,276 for a studio to $8,231 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,010-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,243 - $3,902. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $700 - $1,903, 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 $2,723 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 New Orleans, 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 walkable is Des Moines?

Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 58 and 66 in New Orleans. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

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 32.69 and 67.31 in New Orleans. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What are some tips for saving money on a move from New Orleans, LA to Des Moines, IA?

Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.

What is the best time of year to move from New Orleans, LA 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 New Orleans movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 88% of movers in New Orleans handle piano moves, and 38% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.