($673+) Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Baltimore, MD, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $659 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,131 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,019 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 $2,161, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,131 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,182 - $4,272, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $659 - $1,999.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Baltimore, MD, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,413 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 Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Baltimore to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,413 - $5,910 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,019-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,019-mile route from Baltimore to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,161 - $4,917, container $1,182 - $2,358, rental truck $659 - $1,330, freight trailer $1,119 - $1,919.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,413 - $5,910, container $1,569 - $3,216, rental truck $734 - $1,642, freight trailer $1,242 - $2,547.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,873 - $8,131, container $2,180 - $4,272, rental truck $969 - $1,999, freight trailer $1,608 - $3,384.
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 Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Baltimore, Maryland, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $2,161 and $8,131. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,019-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $272 - $1,812, 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 Baltimore and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Baltimore tend to start around $263 plus $110/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 Baltimore to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,161 - $4,917
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,413 - $5,910
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,873 - $8,131
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 Baltimore to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maryland to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 95% of Baltimore 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 | $453 - $4,530 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready95% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Von Paris Moving & Storage | $181 - $1,087/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $272 - $2,174 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage28% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% 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 items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Von Paris Moving & Storage | $906 - $2,265 |
| Piano | Any piano type72% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Von Paris Moving & Storage | $725 - $3,171 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling41% of local movers | $272 - $1,359 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Von Paris Moving & Storage | $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 Baltimore to Des Moines?
Iowa Motor Truck Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Iowa, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Baltimore, MD. 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 Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Baltimore, Maryland, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,182 and $4,272. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Baltimore typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Baltimore to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,182 - $2,358
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,569 - $3,216
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,180 - $4,272
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $68 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $136 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 $634 in Baltimore, MD. 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 Maryland 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 $1,182. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,569 - $3,216, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Baltimore 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore:
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 15 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 16 years in business
- Orly Moving Systems, Inc. (4.8/5), 34 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Baltimore, Maryland, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $659 - $1,999 for the 1,019-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $294 - $336
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Baltimore daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $0.99
| 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 Baltimore to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $659 - $1,330
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $734 - $1,642
- 4+ bedrooms: $969 - $1,999
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $659 - $1,999 when pricing out a rental truck from Baltimore to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs ($294 - $336) , 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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $136 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 Baltimore, Maryland, usually costs about $634 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,019-mile drive falls between $294 and $336, 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 $45 and $272 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Baltimore 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 Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Baltimore, Maryland, to Des Moines, Iowa, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,242 and $2,547.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Baltimore to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,119 - $1,919
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,242 - $2,547
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,608 - $3,384
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 Baltimore, Maryland, for about five hours typically runs $634.
What are the best freight companies from Baltimore 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.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Baltimore, MD vs Des Moines, IA
Baltimore and Des Moines land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 93 in Baltimore and 87 in Des Moines, and rent tracks closely too ($1,600/mo vs. $1,150/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (64 vs 45) and safety scores (27.28 vs 57.8) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Baltimore, MD guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Maryland 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 52 movers licensed in Maryland, useful context for sizing up this 1,019-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Baltimore, MD, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,161 for a studio to $8,131 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,019-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,182 - $4,272. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $659 - $1,999, 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 $2,413 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 Baltimore, MD, to Des Moines, IA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($294 - $336), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $136/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 64 and 53 in Baltimore. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Baltimore, MD to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,161 to $8,131, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,161 and $8,131, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Baltimore, MD 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 do local movers charge in Baltimore?
Local movers based in Baltimore typically start around $263 as a base rate, plus $110/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 percentage of Baltimore movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 72% of movers in Baltimore handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
