($731+) Raleigh, NC to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Raleigh, NC, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $731 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,051 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,110 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 $1,902, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,051 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,169 - $4,134, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $731 - $1,840.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Raleigh, NC, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,404 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 Raleigh, NC to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Raleigh 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 $2,404 - $5,699 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 37% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 69% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,110 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 1,110-mile route from Raleigh to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,902 for a studio up to $8,051 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,169 - $4,134 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $731 - $1,840, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,095 - $3,405, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Raleigh, NC to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,110-mile move from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $1,902 - $8,051. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $295 - $1,968. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Raleigh and Des Moines. Local movers in Raleigh typically start around $226 as a base rate plus $93/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Raleigh to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,902 - $4,732
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,404 - $5,699
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,014 - $8,051
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 Raleigh to Des Moines.
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 Raleigh, NC to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Raleigh 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 packing73% of local movers | $492 - $4,920 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Miracle Movers | $197 - $1,181/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $295 - $2,362 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $984 - $2,952 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,460 - $9,840 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $737 - $1,400 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $984 - $2,460 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Miracle Movers | $787 - $3,444 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $295 - $1,476 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $640 - $1,968 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $295 - $14,760+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $295 - $3,444+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Raleigh to Des Moines?
All three below meet the standards set by the Iowa Motor Truck Association, the group most Iowa movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Raleigh, NC, 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 Raleigh, NC to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,169 and $4,134. 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 Raleigh adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Raleigh to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,169 - $2,205
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,521 - $3,039
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,180 - $4,134
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $689 in Raleigh, NC. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $74 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $148 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Des Moines, IA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina 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 $1,169. 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 $1,521 - $3,039.
What are the best moving containers Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh:
- Little Guys Movers (4.9/5), 33 years in business
- Athens Moving Experts (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- Miracle Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Raleigh, NC to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 1,110-mile move from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $731 and $1,840. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $348 - $397
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $731 - $1,365
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $745 - $1,574
- 4+ bedrooms: $908 - $1,840
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $731 - $1,840 when pricing out a rental truck from Raleigh to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $348 - $397, and overnight lodging ($148/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $348 - $397 for the 1,110-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Raleigh, North Carolina, for about 5 hours typically costs around $689.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,110-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $148 per night, adding $295 - $443 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $49 and $295.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, North Carolina, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,265 and $2,358.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Raleigh to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,095 - $2,084
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,265 - $2,358
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,578 - $3,405
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Raleigh, North Carolina, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $689.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $74 - $148 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 Raleigh to Des Moines?
- 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.
- 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.
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: Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Raleigh, NC | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,670/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $378,862 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $82,424/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.5% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 31/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 60.13/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Raleigh, NC guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina 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 313 movers licensed in North Carolina, useful context for sizing up this 1,110-mile move.
Our take
A move from Raleigh, NC, 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 $1,902 - $8,051 on the 1,110-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,169 - $4,134, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $731 - $1,840. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,404 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 Raleigh, NC, to Des Moines, IA
What is the best time of year to move from Raleigh, NC 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.
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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($348 - $397), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $148/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 31 and 39 in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh, NC to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $731 to $8,051, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,902 and $8,051, 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 percentage of Raleigh movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in Raleigh handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.