($438+) Toledo, OH to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Toledo, OH, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $438 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,424 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 561 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 $1,326, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,424 or more.
- Moving containers run $987 - $2,979, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $438 - $1,178.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Toledo, OH, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,130 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 Toledo, OH to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Toledo to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,130 - $5,234 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 77% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 561 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 561-mile route from Toledo 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 $1,326 - $3,818 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($987 - $1,689), rental truck ($438 - $791), or freight trailer ($862 - $1,598). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,130 - $5,234 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,424.
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 Toledo, OH to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 561-mile move from Toledo, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $1,326 - $8,424. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $243 - $1,620. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Toledo and Des Moines. Local movers in Toledo typically start around $306 as a base rate plus $120/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Toledo to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,326 - $3,818
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,130 - $5,234
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,637 - $8,424
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 Toledo 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 Toledo, OH to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Toledo 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 packing85% of local movers | $405 - $4,050 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: MVM Moving & Storage | $162 - $972/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $243 - $1,944 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage20% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs73% of local movers | $810 - $2,430 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,025 - $8,100 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $607 - $1,153 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items20% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Corrigan Moving Systems | $810 - $2,025 |
| Piano | Any piano type55% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Glass City Movers, LLC | $648 - $2,835 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $243 - $1,215 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect13% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Morse Moving and Storage | $527 - $1,620 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $243 - $12,150+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $243 - $2,835+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Toledo to Des Moines?
Look for Iowa Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Iowa beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against 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 Toledo, OH. 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 Toledo, OH to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Toledo, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $987 and $2,979. 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 Toledo costs roughly $60/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Toledo to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $987 - $1,689
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,290 - $2,430
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,572 - $2,979
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Toledo, OH 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 $567 in Toledo, OH, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $61 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $122 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 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 $987. 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 $1,290 - $2,430.
What are the best moving containers Toledo 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 Toledo 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 Toledo:
- MVM Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 21 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.2/5), 36 years in business
- Campus Concepts: Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Toledo, OH to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 561-mile move from Toledo, Ohio, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $438 and $1,178. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $145 - $165
- Daily insurance: $24/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- Toledo 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 Toledo to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $438 - $791
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $487 - $939
- 4+ bedrooms: $613 - $1,178
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $438 - $1,178 when pricing out a rental truck from Toledo to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $145 - $165, and overnight lodging ($122/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $61 and $284.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $122.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $145 and $165 for the 561-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $567 for 2 movers in Toledo, Ohio, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Toledo 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 Toledo, OH to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Toledo, 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 $974 and $1,944.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Toledo to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $862 - $1,598
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $974 - $1,944
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,324 - $2,506
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Toledo, Ohio, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $567.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $61 and $122 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Toledo 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 Toledo 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: Toledo, OH vs Des Moines, IA
Day-to-day costs in Des Moines are close to what you're used to in Toledo: cost of living index of 87 versus 77, with average rent of $1,150/mo compared to $900/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 46/100 and 32.56/100 in Toledo versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Toledo, OH guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Ohio 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 282 movers based in Ohio, handy for sizing up options on this 561-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Toledo, OH, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,326 for a studio to $8,424 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 561-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $987 - $2,979. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $438 - $1,178, 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 $2,130 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 Toledo, OH, to Des Moines, IA
What is the best time of year to move from Toledo, 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.
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 32.56 and 67.44 in Toledo. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Toledo, 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 $487 - $939. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 percentage of Toledo movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 55% of movers in Toledo handle piano moves, and 20% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.