($276+) St. Paul, MN to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $276 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,859 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 247 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $917, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $5,859 or more.
- Moving containers run $861 - $2,441, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $276 - $702.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,554 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 St. Paul, MN to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Paul to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $1,554 - $4,371. Moving containers run about 32% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 80% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 2 days for this 247-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 247-mile route from St. Paul to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $917 - $3,827 | $861 - $1,512 | $276 - $504 | $760 - $1,283 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,554 - $4,371 | $1,058 - $2,075 | $307 - $590 | $846 - $1,517 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,975 - $5,859 | $1,323 - $2,441 | $375 - $702 | $1,114 - $2,053 |
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 St. Paul, MN to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 247-mile relocation from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $917 and $5,859. 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 $288 - $1,920, 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 St. Paul typically charge a base rate around $243 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $917 - $3,827
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,554 - $4,371
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,975 - $5,859
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 St. Paul to Des Moines.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from St. Paul, MN to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of St. Paul 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 packing82% of local movers | $480 - $4,800 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $192 - $1,152/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $288 - $2,304 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $960 - $2,880 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,400 - $9,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $719 - $1,366 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $960 - $2,400 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $768 - $3,360 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $288 - $1,440 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally | $624 - $1,920 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $288 - $14,400+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $288 - $3,360+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul 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.
How much do local movers cost in St. Paul, MN?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from St. Paul to Des Moines with a local mover averages $1,539 - $4,328. Working with a local mover based in St. Paul, MN often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
Premium Moving Services (4.52/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in St. Paul, based on our analysis of feedback from 280 customers, 85.7% of which is positive.
Address: 949 Schaller Dr, S Maplewood, MN, 55119 | Founded: 2017
Moving container costs from St. Paul, MN to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $861 and $2,441. 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 St. Paul costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $861 - $1,512
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,058 - $2,075
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,323 - $2,441
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 St. Paul, MN, 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 St. Paul, MN, 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 Minnesota 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 $861. 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 $1,058 - $2,075.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul:
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Good Stuff Moving (4.8/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $276 - $702 for a rental moving truck on the 247-mile route from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $75 - $86
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- St. Paul daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 St. Paul to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $276 - $504
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $307 - $590
- 4+ bedrooms: $375 - $702
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $276 - $702 when pricing out a rental truck from St. Paul to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $75 - $86, and overnight lodging ($144/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $144 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $62 and $312 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $75 - $86 in fuel for the 247-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $672 in St. Paul, Minnesota, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul 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 St. Paul, MN to Des Moines, IA
For larger DIY moves from St. Paul, Minnesota, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Des Moines, Iowa.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $846 and $1,517.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $760 - $1,283
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $846 - $1,517
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,114 - $2,053
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $72 and $144.
- 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 St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly five hours typically average $672.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from St. Paul 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: St. Paul, MN 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 St. Paul on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Paul, MN | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 102 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $279,535 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $73,055/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.85% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 60/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 49.14/100 | 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 St. Paul, MN guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to Iowa in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 151 movers based in Minnesota, handy for sizing up options on this 247-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from St. Paul, MN, to Des Moines, IA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $917 - $5,859 on the 247-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $861 - $2,441 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $276 - $702 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,554 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from St. Paul, MN, 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 ($75 - $86), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $144/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from St. Paul, MN 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 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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 49.14 and 50.86 in St. Paul. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.