($821+) Portland, ME to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $821 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,626 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,398 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,416, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,626 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,284 - $4,499, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $821 - $2,327.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,050 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 Portland, ME to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,050 - $7,379. Containers cost roughly 47% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 71% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,398 miles, expect 3 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,398-mile route from Portland to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,416 - $5,369 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,284 - $2,519), rental truck ($821 - $1,619), or freight trailer ($1,203 - $2,245). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,050 - $7,379 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $9,626.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Portland, ME to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,398-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $2,416 - $9,626. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $306 - $2,040. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Portland and Des Moines. Local movers in Portland typically start around $382 as a base rate plus $135/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,416 - $5,369
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,050 - $7,379
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,596 - $9,626
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 Portland to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Portland, ME to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing84% of local movers | $510 - $5,100 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $204 - $1,224/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $306 - $2,448 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,020 - $3,060 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,550 - $10,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $764 - $1,451 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Tiny Tim's Moving | $1,020 - $2,550 |
| Piano | Any piano type44% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $816 - $3,570 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $306 - $1,530 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $663 - $2,040 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $306 - $15,300+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $306 - $3,570+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Des Moines?
Movers licensed to operate in Iowa are typically members of the Iowa Motor Truck Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 almost always better priced than local movers in Portland, ME. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Portland, ME to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,284 and $4,499. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Portland costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,284 - $2,519
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,605 - $3,414
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,318 - $4,499
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Portland, ME and Des Moines, IA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $714 in Portland, ME, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $77 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $153 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maine 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 $1,284. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,605 - $3,414.
What are the best moving containers Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland:
- Tiny Tim's Moving (4.3/5), 33 years in business
- Midwest Moving Company (4.8/5), 0 years in business
- SC Moving Services (5.0/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Portland, Maine, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $821 - $2,327 for the 1,398-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $454 - $519
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Portland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Portland to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $821 - $1,619
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $878 - $1,945
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,106 - $2,327
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $821 - $2,327 does not include fuel ($454 - $519), lodging ($153/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Portland to Des Moines typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Portland, Maine, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $714.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $454 - $519 for the 1,398-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $61 and $332, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $153 per night for hotel stops on the 1,398-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $306 - $459.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland 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 Portland, ME to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Portland, Maine, to Des Moines, Iowa. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $918 and $2,650.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,203 - $2,245
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,392 - $2,650
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,781 - $3,526
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Portland, Maine, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $714.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $77 - $153 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 Portland 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Des Moines fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Portland, ME 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 Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 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 Portland, ME guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Maine to Iowa over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 46 movers in our Maine network to compare for this 1,398-mile move.
Our take
A move from Portland, ME, to Des Moines, IA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,416 - $9,626 on the 1,398-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,284 - $4,499, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $821 - $2,327. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,050 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Des Moines, IA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Portland, ME 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 Portland?
Local movers based in Portland typically start around $382 as a base rate, plus $135/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.
How long does a move from Portland, ME to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 3 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
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 Portland, ME 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 $878 - $1,945. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 44% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.