($634+) Arlington, VA to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $634 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,602 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,018 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 $1,922, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,602 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,161 - $3,874, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $634 - $1,759.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,276 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 Arlington, VA to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Arlington 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 $2,276 - $5,914. Containers cost roughly 36% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 70% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,018 miles, expect 2 to 8 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 1,018-mile route from Arlington to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,922 - $4,326 with full-service movers, $1,161 - $2,182 with a container, $634 - $1,180 with a rental truck, or $994 - $1,944 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,276 - $5,914 full-service, $1,465 - $3,092 by container, $692 - $1,534 by rental truck, or $1,184 - $2,332 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,845 - $7,602 full-service, $1,996 - $3,874 by container, $923 - $1,759 by rental truck, or $1,613 - $3,161 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Arlington, VA to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,018-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Des Moines, Iowa, with costs ranging from $1,922 - $7,602. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $400 - $2,664. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Arlington and Des Moines. Local movers in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate plus $110/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,922 - $4,326
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,276 - $5,914
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,845 - $7,602
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 Arlington to Des Moines.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Arlington, VA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $666 - $6,660 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $266 - $1,598/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $400 - $3,197 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,332 - $3,996 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,330 - $13,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $998 - $1,895 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,332 - $3,330 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,066 - $4,662 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $400 - $1,998 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $866 - $2,664 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $400 - $19,980+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $400 - $4,662+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Arlington, VA. 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 Arlington, VA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,161 and $3,874. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Arlington typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,161 - $2,182
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,465 - $3,092
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,996 - $3,874
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Arlington, VA 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 $932 in Arlington, VA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $100 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $200 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.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia 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 $1,161. 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 $1,465 - $3,092.
What are the best moving containers Arlington 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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $634 - $1,759 for a rental moving truck on the 1,018-mile route from Arlington, Virginia, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $431 - $493
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Arlington to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $634 - $1,180
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $692 - $1,534
- 4+ bedrooms: $923 - $1,759
Pro tip: The base rate of $634 - $1,759 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Arlington to Des Moines. Fuel ($431 - $493), lodging at around $200/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $200 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 $87 and $433 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $431 - $493 in fuel for the 1,018-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $932 in Arlington, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington 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 Arlington, VA to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Arlington, Virginia, 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 $1,199 and $2,332.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $994 - $1,944
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,184 - $2,332
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,613 - $3,161
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Arlington, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $932.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $100 and $200 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Arlington 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: Arlington, VA 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 Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 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 Arlington, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Virginia 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 304 movers in Virginia, so you have real options to compare for this 1,018-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Arlington, VA, 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 $1,922 - $7,602 on the 1,018-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,161 - $3,874 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $634 - $1,759 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,276 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 Arlington, VA, to Des Moines, IA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Arlington, VA 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 79.15 and 15.67 in Arlington. 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 71 and 72 in Arlington. 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 Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.