($829+) St. George, UT to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from St. George, UT, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $812 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,016 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,296 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,387, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,016 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,357 - $4,490, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $812 - $2,433.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. George, UT, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,866 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 St. George, UT to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from St. George 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 $2,866 - $7,068 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 1,296-mile route typically takes 3 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,296-mile route from St. George to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,387 for a studio up to $9,016 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,357 - $4,490 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $812 - $2,433, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,257 - $3,814, billed by the space you actually use.
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 St. George, UT to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 1,296-mile relocation from St. George, Utah, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $2,387 and $9,016. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $302 - $2,016, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in St. George typically charge a base rate around $451 plus $196 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. George to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,387 - $5,261
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,866 - $7,068
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,226 - $9,016
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 St. George to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Utah 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 St. George, UT to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 83% of St. George 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 | $504 - $5,040 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready83% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $202 - $1,210/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $302 - $2,419 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage50% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $1,008 - $3,024 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,520 - $10,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $755 - $1,434 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Dixie Moving & Storage | $1,008 - $2,520 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $806 - $3,528 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling67% of local movers | $302 - $1,512 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect50% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Big Ben's Moving And Storage LLC | $655 - $2,016 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $302 - $15,120+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $302 - $3,528+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. George 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in St. George, UT, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from St. George, UT to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from St. George, Utah, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,357 and $4,490. 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 St. George runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. George to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,357 - $2,525
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,802 - $3,626
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,372 - $4,490
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $76 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $151 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $706 in St. George, UT, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Des Moines, IA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Utah 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 $1,357. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,802 - $3,626, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. George 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 St. George 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 St. George:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 9 years in business
- Dixie Moving & Storage (4.9/5)
- Big Ben's Moving And Storage LLC (4.7/5)
Moving truck rental costs from St. George, UT to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $812 - $2,433 for a rental moving truck on the 1,296-mile route from St. George, Utah, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $416 - $475
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- St. George daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $1.09
| 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 St. George to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $812 - $1,580
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $859 - $1,881
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,114 - $2,433
Pro tip: The base rate of $812 - $2,433 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from St. George to Des Moines. Fuel ($416 - $475) , lodging at around $151/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in St. George, Utah, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $706.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $416 - $475 for the 1,296-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $60 and $328, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $151 per night for hotel stops on the 1,296-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $302 - $454.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. George 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 St. George, UT to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from St. George, Utah, 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 $1,441 and $2,873.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. George to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,257 - $2,318
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,441 - $2,873
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,935 - $3,814
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $76 - $151 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 St. George, Utah, typically costs $706.
What are the best freight companies from St. George to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Bulk Carrier Services, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Bulk Carrier Services, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
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: St. George, UT vs Des Moines, IA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Des Moines, side by side with St. George on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. George, UT | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 110 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,770/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $456,516 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $72,870/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 27/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 70.98/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to St. George, UT guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Utah to Iowa, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 32 movers in Utah, so you have real options to compare for this 1,296-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from St. George, UT, 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 $2,387 - $9,016 on the 1,296-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,357 - $4,490 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $812 - $2,433 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,866 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 St. George, UT, to Des Moines, IA
What do local movers charge in St. George?
Local movers based in St. George typically start around $451 as a base rate, plus $196/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 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 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 walkable is Des Moines?
Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 27 and 45 in St. George. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 70.98 and 29.02 in St. George. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of St. George movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 100% of movers in St. George handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
