($571+) Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Amarillo, TX, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $553 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,288 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 799 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,860, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,288 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,140 - $3,719, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $553 - $1,501.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Amarillo, TX, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,322 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 Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Amarillo to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,322 - $6,159. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 799 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 799-mile route from Amarillo 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 $1,860 - $4,586 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,140 - $2,016), rental truck ($553 - $1,086), or freight trailer ($996 - $1,815). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,322 - $6,159 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,288.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA
For the 799-mile move from Amarillo, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $1,860 and $8,288. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $238 - $1,584 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Amarillo generally start around $400 plus $224 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Amarillo to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,860 - $4,586
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,322 - $6,159
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,055 - $8,288
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 Amarillo to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 83% of Amarillo movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing67% of local movers | $396 - $3,960 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready83% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $158 - $950/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $238 - $1,901 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $792 - $2,376 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $1,980 - $7,920 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $593 - $1,127 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $792 - $1,980 |
| Piano | Any piano type83% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $634 - $2,772 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $238 - $1,188 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect33% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $515 - $1,584 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $238 - $11,880+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $238 - $2,772+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Amarillo 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 Amarillo, TX. 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 Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Amarillo, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,140 and $3,719. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Amarillo typically costs about $65/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Amarillo to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,140 - $2,016
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,379 - $2,739
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,849 - $3,719
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 $554 in Amarillo, TX. 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 $59 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $119 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 Texas 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 $1,140. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,379 - $2,739, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Amarillo 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 Amarillo 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 Amarillo:
- Bomb City Movers LLC (4.9/5), 5 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Amarillo, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $553 - $1,501 for the 799-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $201 - $230
- Daily insurance: $24/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- Amarillo 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 Amarillo to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $553 - $1,086
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $611 - $1,263
- 4+ bedrooms: $811 - $1,501
Pro tip: A rental truck from Amarillo to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $553 - $1,501. But once you factor in fuel ($201 - $230) , overnight lodging ($119/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $59 and $277.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $119.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $201 and $230 for the 799-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 $554 for 2 movers in Amarillo, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Amarillo 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 Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Amarillo, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,195 and $2,304.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Amarillo to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $996 - $1,815
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,195 - $2,304
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,556 - $2,798
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 Amarillo, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $554.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $59 - $119 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 Amarillo to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Dedicated Express, LLC (4.26/5 stars): Dedicated Express, LLC is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Amarillo 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: Amarillo, TX vs Des Moines, IA
Day-to-day costs in Des Moines are close to what you're used to in Amarillo: cost of living index of 87 versus 74, with average rent of $1,150/mo compared to $1,200/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 40/100 and 74.69/100 in Amarillo 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 Amarillo, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 3 real quotes from Texas 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 289 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 799-mile move.
Our take
A move from Amarillo, TX, 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 $1,860 - $8,288 on the 799-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,140 - $3,719, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $553 - $1,501. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,322 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 Amarillo, TX, to Des Moines, IA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Amarillo, TX 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.
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 74.69 and 25.31 in Amarillo. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 40 and 42 in Amarillo. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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.
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 percentage of Amarillo movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 83% of movers in Amarillo handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
