($1,044+) Olympia, WA to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Olympia, WA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $1,044 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,086 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,796 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,539, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $12,086 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,509 - $5,154, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,044 - $3,041.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Olympia, WA, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,746 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 Olympia, WA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Olympia 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 $3,746 - $8,217 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 47% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 70% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,796-mile route typically takes 5 to 16 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,796-mile route from Olympia to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,539 - $5,916 with full-service movers, $1,509 - $2,796 with a container, $1,044 - $1,889 with a rental truck, or $1,385 - $2,441 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,746 - $8,217 full-service, $1,990 - $3,757 by container, $1,107 - $2,272 by rental truck, or $1,454 - $3,225 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,666 - $12,086 full-service, $2,718 - $5,154 by container, $1,452 - $3,041 by rental truck, or $2,153 - $4,080 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 Olympia, WA to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from Olympia, Washington, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $2,539 and $12,086. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,796-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $306 - $2,040, 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 Olympia and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in Olympia tend to start around $296 plus $133/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 Olympia to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,539 - $5,916
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,746 - $8,217
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,666 - $12,086
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 Olympia 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 Olympia, WA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 65% of Olympia 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 packing75% of local movers | $510 - $5,100 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready65% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Olympic Moving & Storage Inc. | $204 - $1,224/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $306 - $2,448 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $1,020 - $3,060 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,550 - $10,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $764 - $1,451 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $1,020 - $2,550 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $816 - $3,570 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $306 - $1,530 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $663 - $2,040 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $306 - $15,300+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $306 - $3,570+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Olympia 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 Olympia, WA. 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 Olympia, WA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Olympia, Washington, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,509 and $5,154. 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 Olympia runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Olympia to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,509 - $2,796
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,990 - $3,757
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,718 - $5,154
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $77 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $153 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 $714 in Olympia, WA. 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 Washington 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 $1,509. 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 $1,990 - $3,757.
What are the best moving containers Olympia 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 Olympia 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 Olympia:
- All Ready Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 22 years in business
- Olympic Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 123 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Olympia, WA to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Olympia, Washington, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $1,044 - $3,041 for the 1,796-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $583 - $666
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Olympia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.59
| 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 Olympia to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,044 - $1,889
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,107 - $2,272
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,452 - $3,041
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,044 - $3,041 when pricing out a rental truck from Olympia to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $583 - $666, and overnight lodging ($153/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Olympia, Washington, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $714.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $583 - $666 for the 1,796-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 $61 and $332, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $153 per night for hotel stops on the 1,796-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $306 - $459.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Olympia 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 Olympia, WA 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 Olympia, Washington, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,454 and $3,225.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Olympia to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,385 - $2,441
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,454 - $3,225
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,153 - $4,080
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?
- 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 $77 - $153 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 Olympia, Washington, typically costs $714.
What are the best freight companies from Olympia 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.
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: Olympia, WA 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 Olympia on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Olympia, WA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,895/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $457,660 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $76,930/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 39/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 62.25/100 | 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 Olympia, WA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Washington 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. Washington alone has 279 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,796-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Olympia, WA, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,539 for a studio to $12,086 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,796-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,509 - $5,154. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,044 - $3,041, 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 $3,746 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 Olympia, WA, to Des Moines, IA
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 do local movers charge in Olympia?
Local movers based in Olympia typically start around $296 as a base rate, plus $133/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 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Olympia, WA to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,044 to $12,086, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,539 and $12,086, 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 percentage of Olympia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Olympia handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.