($708+) Richmond, VA to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Richmond, VA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $730 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,455 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,111 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 $1,996, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,455 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,239 - $4,082, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $730 - $1,950.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Richmond, VA, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,600 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 Richmond, VA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Richmond 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 $2,600 - $5,921 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 1,111-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 1,111-mile route from Richmond to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,996 - $4,824 | $1,239 - $2,268 | $730 - $1,419 | $1,183 - $2,146 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,600 - $5,921 | $1,678 - $3,092 | $806 - $1,686 | $1,328 - $2,630 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,384 - $8,455 | $2,311 - $4,082 | $1,013 - $1,950 | $1,831 - $3,576 |
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 Richmond, VA to Des Moines, IA
For the 1,111-mile move from Richmond, Virginia, to Des Moines, Iowa, full-service movers cost between $1,996 and $8,455. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $275 - $1,836 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Richmond generally start around $360 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Richmond to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,996 - $4,824
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,600 - $5,921
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,384 - $8,455
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 Richmond to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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.
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Specialty moving services from Richmond, VA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Richmond 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 packing95% of local movers | $459 - $4,590 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $184 - $1,102/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $275 - $2,203 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage32% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs89% of local movers | $918 - $2,754 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,295 - $9,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $688 - $1,306 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items63% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $918 - $2,295 |
| Piano | Any piano type68% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $734 - $3,213 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers | $275 - $1,377 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect32% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: WayForth LLC | $597 - $1,836 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $275 - $13,770+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $275 - $3,213+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Richmond to Des Moines?
Iowa Motor Truck Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Iowa, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Richmond, Virginia, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,239 and $4,082. 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 Richmond runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Richmond to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,239 - $2,268
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,678 - $3,092
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,311 - $4,082
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $69 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $138 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Des Moines, IA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $643 in Richmond, VA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,239. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,678 - $3,092, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Richmond:
- Mr. Moving, LLC (4.6/5), 6 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- Heroes Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 5 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Richmond, VA to Des Moines, IA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,111-mile move from Richmond, Virginia, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $730 and $1,950, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $325 - $371
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Richmond daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Richmond to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $730 - $1,419
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $806 - $1,686
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,013 - $1,950
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Richmond to Des Moines starts at $730 - $1,950, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($325 - $371) , overnight lodging ($138/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $138 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 Richmond, Virginia, usually costs about $643 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,111-mile drive falls between $325 and $371, 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 $46 and $275 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Richmond 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 Richmond, VA to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Richmond, Virginia, to Des Moines, Iowa. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,328 and $2,630.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Richmond to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,183 - $2,146
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,328 - $2,630
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,831 - $3,576
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?
- 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 $69 - $138 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Richmond, Virginia, for about five hours typically runs $643.
What are the best freight companies from Richmond 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.
- Abilene Motor Express (4.5/5 stars): Abilene Motor Express 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: Richmond, VA vs Des Moines, IA
Richmond and Des Moines land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 95 in Richmond and 87 in Des Moines, and rent tracks closely too ($1,595/mo vs. $1,150/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (51 vs 45) and safety scores (51.55 vs 57.8) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Richmond, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia 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. Virginia alone has 104 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,111-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Richmond, VA, 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 $1,996 - $8,455 on the 1,111-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,239 - $4,082, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $730 - $1,950. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,600 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 Richmond, VA, to Des Moines, IA
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 3 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 Richmond?
Local movers based in Richmond typically start around $360 as a base rate, plus $100/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 51 and 51 in Richmond. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Richmond movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 68% of movers in Richmond handle piano moves, and 63% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
