($635+) Lubbock, TX to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Lubbock, TX, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $635 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,549 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 890 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 $2,055, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,549 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,209 - $3,871, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $635 - $1,681.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lubbock, TX, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,443 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 Lubbock, TX to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Lubbock 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 $2,443 - $6,204. 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 890 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 890-mile route from Lubbock to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,055 - $4,756 | $1,209 - $2,108 | $635 - $1,200 | $1,089 - $1,992 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,443 - $6,204 | $1,420 - $2,809 | $685 - $1,383 | $1,172 - $2,413 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,055 - $8,549 | $1,971 - $3,871 | $808 - $1,681 | $1,625 - $2,943 |
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 Lubbock, TX to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Lubbock, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $2,055 and $8,549. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 890-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $250 - $1,668, 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 Lubbock and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Lubbock tend to start around $318 plus $148/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 Lubbock to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,055 - $4,756
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,443 - $6,204
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,055 - $8,549
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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock, TX to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Lubbock 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 | $417 - $4,170 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Hart Moving & Storage Inc. | $167 - $1,001/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $250 - $2,002 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage50% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs25% of local movers | $834 - $2,502 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,085 - $8,340 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $625 - $1,187 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Hart Moving & Storage Inc. | $834 - $2,085 |
| Piano | Any piano type50% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $667 - $2,919 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling50% of local movers | $250 - $1,251 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $542 - $1,668 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $250 - $12,510+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $250 - $2,919+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Lubbock to Des Moines?
Movers licensed to operate in Iowa are typically members of the Iowa Motor Truck Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 Lubbock, 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 Lubbock, TX to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Lubbock, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,209 and $3,871. 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 Lubbock costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lubbock to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,209 - $2,108
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,420 - $2,809
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,971 - $3,871
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Lubbock, TX 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 $584 in Lubbock, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $63 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $125 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.
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 $1,209. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,420 - $2,809, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Lubbock 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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock:
Moving truck rental costs from Lubbock, TX to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $635 - $1,681 for a rental moving truck on the 890-mile route from Lubbock, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $236 - $270
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Lubbock daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.69
| 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 Lubbock to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $635 - $1,200
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $685 - $1,383
- 4+ bedrooms: $808 - $1,681
Pro tip: The base rate of $635 - $1,681 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Lubbock to Des Moines. Fuel ($236 - $270) , lodging at around $125/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $125 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Lubbock, Texas, usually costs about $584 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 890-mile drive falls between $236 and $270, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $42 and $250 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Lubbock 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 Lubbock, TX to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from Lubbock, Texas, 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. Most moves on this route fall between $1,172 and $2,413.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lubbock to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,089 - $1,992
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,172 - $2,413
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,625 - $2,943
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Lubbock, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $584.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $63 - $125 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 Lubbock 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.
- West Star Transportation, Inc. (4.34/5 stars): West Star Transportation, Inc. 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: If speed matters on your move from Lubbock to Des Moines, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Lubbock, TX vs Des Moines, IA
Lubbock and Des Moines land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 81 in Lubbock and 87 in Des Moines, and rent tracks closely too ($1,250/mo vs. $1,150/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (39 vs 45) and safety scores (48.61 vs 57.8) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Lubbock, TX guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 2 real quotes from Texas 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 289 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 890-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Lubbock, TX, to Des Moines, IA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,055 - $8,549 on the 890-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,209 - $3,871 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $635 - $1,681 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,443 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Lubbock, TX, 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 39 and 43 in Lubbock. 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 Lubbock, TX to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,055 to $8,549, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,055 and $8,549, 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 Lubbock, 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 Lubbock?
Local movers based in Lubbock typically start around $318 as a base rate, plus $148/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 Lubbock, TX to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 Lubbock movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 50% of movers in Lubbock handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
