($905+) Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Spokane, WA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $905 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,058 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,478 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 $2,564, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,058 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,284 - $4,723, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $905 - $2,494.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Spokane, WA, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,308 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 Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Spokane 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 $3,308 - $7,231 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 48% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 72% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,478-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 1,478-mile route from Spokane to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,564 for a studio up to $10,058 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,284 - $4,723 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $905 - $2,494, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,168 - $3,967, 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 November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 1,478-mile relocation from Spokane, Washington, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $2,564 and $10,058. 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 $290 - $1,932, 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 Spokane typically charge a base rate around $400 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Spokane to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,564 - $5,926
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,308 - $7,231
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,963 - $10,058
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 Spokane to Des Moines.
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 Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Spokane 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 packing82% of local movers | $483 - $4,830 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Movher | $193 - $1,159/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $290 - $2,318 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $966 - $2,898 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,415 - $9,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $724 - $1,375 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Movher | $966 - $2,415 |
| Piano | Any piano type54% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Movher | $773 - $3,381 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $290 - $1,449 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $628 - $1,932 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $290 - $14,490+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $290 - $3,381+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Spokane 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Spokane, 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 Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Spokane, Washington, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,284 and $4,723. 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 Spokane runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Spokane to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,284 - $2,483
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,711 - $3,468
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,351 - $4,723
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $676 in Spokane, WA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $72 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $145 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Des Moines, IA, destination before booking.
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 $1,284. 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 $1,711 - $3,468.
What are the best moving containers Spokane 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 Spokane 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 Spokane:
- Movher (4.8/5), 16 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- Spokane Pro Movers (4.9/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA
Truck rentals from Spokane, Washington, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $905 - $2,494 for the 1,478-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $454 - $519
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Spokane daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.29
| 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 Spokane to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $905 - $1,717
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $939 - $2,123
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,196 - $2,494
Pro tip: The base rate of $905 - $2,494 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Spokane to Des Moines. Fuel ($454 - $519), lodging at around $145/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $145 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 Spokane, Washington, usually costs about $676 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,478-mile drive falls between $454 and $519, 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 $48 and $290 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Spokane 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 Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Spokane, Washington, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,327 and $2,718.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Spokane to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,168 - $2,372
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,327 - $2,718
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,900 - $3,967
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Spokane, Washington, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $676.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $72 - $145 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 Spokane 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: Spokane, 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 Spokane on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Spokane, WA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 103 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,450/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $324,776 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $65,745/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 49/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 44.94/100 | 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 Spokane, WA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Washington 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 279 movers in Washington, so you have real options to compare for this 1,478-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Spokane, WA, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,564 for a studio to $10,058 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,478-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,284 - $4,723. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $905 - $2,494, 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 $3,308 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 Spokane, WA, to Des Moines, IA
What is the best time of year to move from Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Spokane, WA 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 44.94 and 3.0 in Spokane. 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 49 and 52 in Spokane. 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.
What percentage of Spokane movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 54% of movers in Spokane handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.