($950+) Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Spokane, WA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $969 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,220 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,536, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,220 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,405 - $5,107, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $969 - $2,644.
- 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 $3,333 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
There are 3 main ways to move from Spokane 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 $3,333 - $7,509. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,478 miles, expect 3 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 1,478-mile route from Spokane to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,536 - $6,163 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,405 - $2,821), rental truck ($969 - $1,784), or freight trailer ($1,303 - $2,467). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,333 - $7,509 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,220.
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 Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 1,478-mile relocation from Spokane, Washington, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $2,536 and $11,220. 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: $2,536 - $6,163
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,333 - $7,509
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,445 - $11,220
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Washington to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Spokane 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 | $483 - $4,830 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $193 - $1,159/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $290 - $2,318 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% 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 items25% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Move Northwest | $966 - $2,415 |
| Piano | Any piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $773 - $3,381 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling33% of local movers | $290 - $1,449 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move Northwest | $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?
Look for Iowa Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Iowa beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Spokane, WA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Spokane, Washington, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,405 and $5,107. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Spokane typically costs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Spokane to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,405 - $2,821
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,925 - $3,790
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,568 - $5,107
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Spokane, WA 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 $676 in Spokane, WA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $72 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $145 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 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 $1,405. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,925 - $3,790, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 7 years in business
- Spokane Pro Movers (4.9/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Spokane, WA to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $969 - $2,644 for a rental moving truck on the 1,478-mile route from Spokane, Washington, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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: $969 - $1,784
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,006 - $2,165
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,229 - $2,644
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $969 - $2,644 does not include fuel ($454 - $519) , lodging ($145/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Spokane to Des Moines typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,422 and $2,852.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Spokane to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,303 - $2,467
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,422 - $2,852
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,994 - $3,886
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 $72 - $145 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 Spokane, Washington, typically costs $676.
What are the best freight companies from Spokane 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.
- System Transport, Inc. (4.8/5 stars): System Transport, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Spokane 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: 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 95 movers in Washington, so you have real options to compare for this 1,478-mile move.
Our take
A move from Spokane, WA, 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 $2,536 - $11,220 on the 1,478-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,405 - $5,107, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $969 - $2,644. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,333 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 Spokane, WA, to Des Moines, IA
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.
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 Spokane?
Local movers based in Spokane typically start around $400 as a base rate, plus $110/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 percentage of Spokane movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 67% of movers in Spokane handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
