($743+) El Paso, TX to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from El Paso, TX, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $751 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,371 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,133 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,306, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,371 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,314 - $4,345, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $751 - $2,049.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from El Paso, TX, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,620 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 El Paso, TX to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from El Paso 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 $2,620 - $6,194 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,133-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,133-mile route from El Paso to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,306 - $4,880 with full-service movers, $1,314 - $2,408 with a container, $751 - $1,372 with a rental truck, or $1,114 - $2,019 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,620 - $6,194 full-service, $1,643 - $3,386 by container, $844 - $1,700 by rental truck, or $1,341 - $2,551 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,579 - $8,371 full-service, $2,111 - $4,345 by container, $988 - $2,049 by rental truck, or $1,706 - $3,302 by freight.
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 El Paso, TX to Des Moines, IA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,133-mile move from El Paso, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, with prices running from $2,306 - $8,371. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $252 - $1,680 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between El Paso and Des Moines are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, El Paso movers tend to run around $244 as a base rate plus $95/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from El Paso to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,306 - $4,880
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,620 - $6,194
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,579 - $8,371
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 El Paso 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: 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 El Paso, TX to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of El Paso 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 packing100% of local movers | $420 - $4,200 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $168 - $1,008/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $252 - $2,016 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $840 - $2,520 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,100 - $8,400 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $629 - $1,195 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items33% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $840 - $2,100 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $672 - $2,940 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $252 - $1,260 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $546 - $1,680 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $252 - $12,600+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $252 - $2,940+ |
What are the best full-service movers from El Paso to Des Moines?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Iowa Motor Truck Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in El Paso, TX. 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 El Paso, TX to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from El Paso, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,314 and $4,345. 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 El Paso runs about $65/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from El Paso to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,314 - $2,408
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,643 - $3,386
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,111 - $4,345
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 El Paso, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $588, 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 $63 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $126 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both El Paso, 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.
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 $1,314. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,643 - $3,386, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers El Paso 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 El Paso 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 El Paso:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.9/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from El Paso, TX to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 1,133-mile move from El Paso, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $751 and $2,049. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $303 - $346
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- El Paso 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 El Paso to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $751 - $1,372
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $844 - $1,700
- 4+ bedrooms: $988 - $2,049
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $751 - $2,049 does not include fuel ($303 - $346) , lodging ($126/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from El Paso to Des Moines typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $126 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 $273 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $303 - $346 in fuel for the 1,133-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $588 in El Paso, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from El Paso 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 El Paso, TX to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from El Paso, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $756 and $2,551.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from El Paso to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,114 - $2,019
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,341 - $2,551
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,706 - $3,302
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 - $126 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in El Paso, Texas, for about five hours typically runs $588.
What are the best freight companies from El Paso 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.
- THE Foret Companies (4.5/5 stars): THE Foret Companies is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
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: El Paso, TX vs Des Moines, IA
Good news for your budget: Des Moines isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than El Paso. Cost of living index runs 87 there against 82 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 40/100 and 67.49/100 here versus 45/100 and 57.8/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to El Paso, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 5 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 289 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,133-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from El Paso, TX, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,306 for a studio to $8,371 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,133-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,314 - $4,345. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $751 - $2,049, 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 $2,620 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 El Paso, 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 ($303 - $346), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $126/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 El Paso. 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 El Paso, TX to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,306 to $8,371, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,306 and $8,371, 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 El Paso, 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.
What do local movers charge in El Paso?
Local movers based in El Paso typically start around $244 as a base rate, plus $95/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 El Paso movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in El Paso handle piano moves, and 33% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
