($450+) Dayton, OH to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Dayton, OH, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $450 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,026 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 593 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 $1,317, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,026 or more.
- Moving containers run $988 - $3,209, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $450 - $1,179.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Dayton, OH, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,198 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 Dayton, OH to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Dayton 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 $2,198 - $5,710 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 42% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 79% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 593 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 593-mile route from Dayton to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,317 - $3,827 with full-service movers, $988 - $1,693 with a container, $450 - $806 with a rental truck, or $846 - $1,523 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,198 - $5,710 full-service, $1,267 - $2,533 by container, $471 - $977 by rental truck, or $984 - $1,931 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,927 - $8,026 full-service, $1,608 - $3,209 by container, $624 - $1,179 by rental truck, or $1,353 - $2,418 by freight.
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 Dayton, OH to Des Moines, IA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 593-mile move from Dayton, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa, with prices running from $1,317 - $8,026. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $248 - $1,656 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Dayton and Des Moines are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Dayton movers tend to run around $330 as a base rate plus $140/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Dayton to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,317 - $3,827
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,198 - $5,710
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,927 - $8,026
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 Dayton 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 Dayton, OH to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Dayton 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 packing71% of local movers | $414 - $4,140 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Lewis & Michael Moving & Storage, Inc. | $166 - $994/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $248 - $1,987 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $828 - $2,484 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,070 - $8,280 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $620 - $1,178 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items15% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: You Move Me | $828 - $2,070 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Lincoln Storage & Moving Inc | $662 - $2,898 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling3% of local movers | $248 - $1,242 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect18% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $538 - $1,656 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $248 - $12,420+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $248 - $2,898+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Dayton 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Dayton, OH. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Dayton, OH to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Dayton, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $988 and $3,209. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Dayton runs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Dayton to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $988 - $1,693
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,267 - $2,533
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,608 - $3,209
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 Dayton, OH, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $580, 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 $62 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $124 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Dayton, OH, 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 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 $988. 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 $1,267 - $2,533.
What are the best moving containers Dayton 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 Dayton 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 Dayton:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 25 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- You Move Me (4.9/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Dayton, OH to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 593 miles from Dayton, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa, running $450 - $1,179. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $156 - $179
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Dayton daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Dayton to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $450 - $806
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $471 - $977
- 4+ bedrooms: $624 - $1,179
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $450 - $1,179 when pricing out a rental truck from Dayton to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $156 - $179, and overnight lodging ($124/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Dayton, Ohio, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $580.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $156 - $179 for the 593-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 $50 and $269, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $124 per night for hotel stops on the 593-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $248 - $373.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Dayton 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 Dayton, OH 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 Dayton, Ohio, 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 $984 and $1,931.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Dayton to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $846 - $1,523
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $984 - $1,931
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,353 - $2,418
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?
- 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 $62 and $124.
- 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 Dayton, Ohio, for roughly five hours typically average $580.
What are the best freight companies from Dayton 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 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: Dayton, OH vs Des Moines, IA
Dayton and Des Moines land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 80 in Dayton and 87 in Des Moines, and average rent is $925/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 45 vs 45 and safety scores are 40.68 vs 57.8.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Dayton, OH guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Ohio to Iowa, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 282 movers in Ohio, so you have real options to compare for this 593-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Dayton, OH, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,317 for a studio to $8,026 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 593-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $988 - $3,209. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $450 - $1,179, 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 $2,198 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 Dayton, OH, to Des Moines, IA
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 45 and 47 in Dayton. 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 Dayton, OH to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $450 to $8,026, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,317 and $8,026, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Dayton, OH 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 Dayton?
Local movers based in Dayton typically start around $330 as a base rate, plus $140/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 Dayton, 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 percentage of Dayton movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Dayton handle piano moves, and 15% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.