($666+) Washington DC, MD to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $673 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,988 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,016 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 $2,058, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,988 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,158 - $4,190, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $673 - $1,922.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Washington DC, MD, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,540 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 Washington DC, MD to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Washington DC 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 $2,540 - $6,096 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 1,016 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 1,016-mile route from Washington DC to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,058 - $5,076 with full-service movers, $1,158 - $2,178 with a container, $673 - $1,343 with a rental truck, or $1,130 - $2,041 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,540 - $6,096 full-service, $1,569 - $3,185 by container, $711 - $1,626 by rental truck, or $1,293 - $2,522 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,204 - $7,988 full-service, $2,180 - $4,190 by container, $912 - $1,922 by rental truck, or $1,727 - $3,154 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 Washington DC, MD to Des Moines, IA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,016-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Des Moines, Iowa, with prices running from $2,058 - $7,988. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $376 - $2,508 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Washington DC and Des Moines are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Washington DC movers tend to run around $180 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Washington DC to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,058 - $5,076
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,540 - $6,096
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,204 - $7,988
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 Washington DC 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: 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 Washington DC, MD to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Washington DC 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 | $627 - $6,270 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $251 - $1,505/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $376 - $3,010 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage30% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,254 - $3,762 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,135 - $12,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $939 - $1,784 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items53% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,254 - $3,135 |
| Piano | Any piano type70% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,003 - $4,389 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $376 - $1,881 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $815 - $2,508 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $376 - $18,810+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $376 - $4,389+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Washington DC 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Washington DC, MD, 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 Washington DC, MD to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,158 and $4,190. 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 Washington DC adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Washington DC to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,158 - $2,178
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,569 - $3,185
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,180 - $4,190
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $94 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $188 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $878 in Washington DC, MD, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Des Moines, IA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,158. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,569 - $3,185, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Washington DC 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 Washington DC 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 Washington DC:
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bookstore Movers, LLC (4.8/5), 20 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Washington DC, MD to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 1,016-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $673 and $1,922. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $405 - $463
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Washington DC daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Washington DC to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $673 - $1,343
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $711 - $1,626
- 4+ bedrooms: $912 - $1,922
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $673 - $1,922 does not include fuel ($405 - $463) , lodging ($188/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Washington DC 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 $94 and $439.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $188.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $405 and $463 for the 1,016-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 $878 for 2 movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Washington DC 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 Washington DC, MD 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 Washington DC, Maryland, 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 $1,293 and $2,522.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Washington DC to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,130 - $2,041
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,293 - $2,522
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,727 - $3,154
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $94 and $188.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for roughly five hours typically average $878.
What are the best freight companies from Washington DC to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Washington DC 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: Washington DC, MD 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 Washington DC on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Washington DC, MD | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 151 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,400/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $594,337 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $101,027/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 39.63/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Washington DC, 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 1,016-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Washington DC, MD, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,058 for a studio to $7,988 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,016-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,158 - $4,190. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $673 - $1,922, 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 $2,540 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 Washington DC, MD, 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Washington DC, MD 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 $711 - $1,626. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 39.63 and 60.37 in Washington DC. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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.
What is the best time of year to move from Washington DC, MD 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 Washington DC movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 70% of movers in Washington DC handle piano moves, and 53% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
