($478+) Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Cleveland, OH, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $478 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,195 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 661 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,539, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,195 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,001 - $3,153, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $478 - $1,233.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Cleveland, OH, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,115 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 Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Cleveland 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 $2,115 - $5,385. Moving containers run about 36% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 75% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 661-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 661-mile route from Cleveland to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,539 - $4,230, container $1,001 - $1,884, rental truck $478 - $859, freight trailer $901 - $1,614.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,115 - $5,385, container $1,348 - $2,457, rental truck $537 - $1,105, freight trailer $1,017 - $2,086.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,070 - $8,195, container $1,717 - $3,153, rental truck $683 - $1,233, freight trailer $1,402 - $2,470.
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 Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 661-mile move from Cleveland, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa, with prices running from $1,539 - $8,195. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $254 - $1,692 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Cleveland and Des Moines are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Cleveland movers tend to run around $185 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Cleveland to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,539 - $4,230
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,115 - $5,385
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,070 - $8,195
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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Cleveland 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 packing81% of local movers | $423 - $4,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Bright Eyed Moving | $169 - $1,015/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $254 - $2,030 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs45% of local movers | $846 - $2,538 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,115 - $8,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $634 - $1,204 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items16% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Leaders Moving & Storage Co. | $846 - $2,115 |
| Piano | Any piano type31% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Bright Eyed Moving | $677 - $2,961 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $254 - $1,269 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect6% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $550 - $1,692 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $254 - $12,690+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $254 - $2,961+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Cleveland 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Cleveland, OH. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Cleveland, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,001 and $3,153. 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 Cleveland costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Cleveland to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,001 - $1,884
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,348 - $2,457
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,717 - $3,153
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $63 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $127 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 $592 in Cleveland, OH, 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 Ohio 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 $1,001. 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 $1,348 - $2,457.
What are the best moving containers Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland:
- Bright Eyed Moving (4.8/5), 11 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 661 miles from Cleveland, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $478 - $1,233. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $178 - $203
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Cleveland 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 Cleveland to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $478 - $859
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $537 - $1,105
- 4+ bedrooms: $683 - $1,233
Pro tip: A rental truck from Cleveland to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $478 - $1,233. But once you factor in fuel ($178 - $203), overnight lodging ($127/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $127 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 $55 and $275 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $178 - $203 in fuel for the 661-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $592 in Cleveland, Ohio, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Cleveland 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 Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Cleveland, Ohio, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Des Moines, Iowa.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,017 and $2,086.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Cleveland to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $901 - $1,614
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,017 - $2,086
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,402 - $2,470
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $63 - $127 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Cleveland, Ohio, for about five hours typically runs $592.
What are the best freight companies from Cleveland 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Des Moines quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Cleveland, OH vs Des Moines, IA
Cleveland and Des Moines land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 83 in Cleveland and 87 in Des Moines, and average rent is $1,295/mo vs. $1,150/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 57 vs 45 and safety scores are 36.59 vs 57.8.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Cleveland, OH guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Ohio 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 282 movers in our Ohio network to compare for this 661-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Cleveland, OH, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,539 for a studio to $8,195 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 661-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,001 - $3,153. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $478 - $1,233, 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 $2,115 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 Cleveland, OH, to Des Moines, IA
What is the best time of year to move from Cleveland, OH 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 long does a move from Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($178 - $203), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $127/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Cleveland, OH 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 $537 - $1,105. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Cleveland, OH to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $478 to $8,195, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,539 and $8,195, 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 Cleveland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 31% of movers in Cleveland handle piano moves, and 16% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.