($561+) Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Amarillo, TX, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $561 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,833 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $1,621, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,833 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,067 - $3,550, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $561 - $1,418.
- 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 $2,217 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Amarillo to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,217 - $5,480 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 72% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 799-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
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 | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,621 - $4,246 | $1,067 - $1,905 | $561 - $1,088 | $979 - $1,715 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,217 - $5,480 | $1,302 - $2,776 | $624 - $1,231 | $1,064 - $2,113 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,752 - $7,833 | $1,747 - $3,550 | $744 - $1,418 | $1,500 - $2,868 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Amarillo, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,621 and $7,833. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 799-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $238 - $1,584, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Amarillo and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Amarillo tend to start around $400 plus $224/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Amarillo to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,621 - $4,246
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,217 - $5,480
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,752 - $7,833
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.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Amarillo movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing88% of local movers | $396 - $3,960 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: West Texas Moving Co | Best Apartment | Long Distance | Furniture & Corporate Movers | Local Moving | Corporate Movers | $158 - $950/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $238 - $1,901 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $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 items26% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage (TX) | $792 - $1,980 |
| Piano | Any piano type63% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $634 - $2,772 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $238 - $1,188 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $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?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Amarillo, TX. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Amarillo, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,067 and $3,550. 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 Amarillo adds around $65/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Amarillo to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,067 - $1,905
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,302 - $2,776
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,747 - $3,550
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 Amarillo, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $554, 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 $59 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $119 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Amarillo, TX, 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 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 $1,067. 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 $1,302 - $2,776.
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:
- Rescue 1 Movers (5.0/5)
- West Texas Moving Co | Best Apartment | Long Distance | Furniture & Corporate Movers | Local Moving | Corporate Movers
Moving truck rental costs from Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $561 - $1,418 for a rental moving truck on the 799-mile route from Amarillo, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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: $561 - $1,088
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $624 - $1,231
- 4+ bedrooms: $744 - $1,418
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Amarillo to Des Moines starts at $561 - $1,418, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($201 - $230), overnight lodging ($119/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $119 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 $51 and $257 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $201 - $230 in fuel for the 799-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $554 in Amarillo, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
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
For larger DIY moves from Amarillo, Texas, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Des Moines, Iowa.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,064 and $2,113.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Amarillo to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $979 - $1,715
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,064 - $2,113
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,500 - $2,868
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $59 - $119 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Amarillo, Texas, typically costs $554.
What are the best freight companies from Amarillo to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
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: 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. 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 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 moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 3 real quotes from Texas to Iowa, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Texas alone has 803 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 799-mile move like this one.
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 $1,621 - $7,833 on the 799-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,067 - $3,550, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $561 - $1,418. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,217 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($201 - $230), daily insurance ($24/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $16) on top. Overnight stops can add another $119/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Amarillo, TX 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 $624 - $1,231. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $561 to $7,833, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,621 and $7,833, 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 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.
What do local movers charge in Amarillo?
Local movers based in Amarillo typically start around $400 as a base rate, plus $224/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.
What percentage of Amarillo movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 63% of movers in Amarillo handle piano moves, compared to 40% nationally.