Abilene, TX → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Abilene to Des Moines

About 843 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,040–$6,010, delivery in 2–5 days, 44 carriers on the Abilene side and 191 in Des Moines.

843 miroad distance
15 h 14 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$4,040–$6,0102-bedroom estimate

Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Abilene, Texas
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 843 miles (715 straight-line)
Drive time: 15 h 14 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 44 (14 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Abilene

The route from Abilene, TX to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 843 miles by road, a northeast-bound trip that falls into the long-distance move category for pricing purposes.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $4,040 to $6,010 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 15 h 14 min.

On the Abilene side there are 44 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (14 of them authorized for interstate work), and 191 around Des Moines (116 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Des Moines.

Abilene has a population of about 131,588 and Des Moines about 212,086. Des Moines is the denser city (2,428 people per square mile versus 1,173 in Abilene), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike Texas, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Abilene to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 843 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,620	$1,970	$2,410
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,430	$2,960	$3,610
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$4,040	$4,930	$6,010
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$6,470	$7,890	$9,620
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$8,890	$10,850	$13,230

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,170–$1,650

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,770–$2,610

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$4,040–$6,010

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Abilene, TX → Des Moines, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Abilene (origin)

Arim Forwarding INC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 278906
Based in: Abilene, TX 79601 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (325) 695-1684 Route Verify on FMCSA

Emmabuz LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4074734
MC: 1548815
Based in: Abilene, TX 79606 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (325) 201-2910 Route Verify on FMCSA

Heavy Motion Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3813269
MC: 1377020
Based in: Abilene, TX 79602 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (954) 444-5002 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hhh&n LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 3668944
MC: 1271457
Based in: Abilene, TX 79601 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (325) 201-5610 Route Verify on FMCSA

Faderah Group LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4409948
MC: 1768741
Based in: Abilene, TX 79601 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (713) 258-4292 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bwj Properties LLC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 2837315
MC: 1079840
Based in: Abilene, TX 79601 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (325) 672-4909 Route Verify on FMCSA

Prime Pace Solutions LLC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 4500911
Based in: Abilene, TX 79601 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (325) 829-5377 Route Verify on FMCSA

Complete Moving And Storage Of Abilene INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 2077019
Based in: Abilene, TX 79602 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (325) 692-0613 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 44 movers in Abilene

Near Des Moines (destination)

Dhl Freight

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Standard Forwarding LLC

USDOT: 1996747
MC: 16536
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50316 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 302 trucks, 277 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (800) 447-2012 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jacobson Warehouse Co

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Jacobson Transportation Company INC

USDOT: 241594
MC: 172189
Based in: Clive, IA 50325 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 483 trucks, 459 drivers
USDOT registered: 1984

Call (219) 742-2278 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ntb

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Nationwide Truck Brokers INC

USDOT: 158325
MC: 142245
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50309 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 158 trucks, 165 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (515) 245-2595 Route Verify on FMCSA

Crawford Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 450195
MC: 232411
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50321 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 70 trucks, 73 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Route Verify on FMCSA

Arona Home Essentials

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Arona Corporation

USDOT: 1278309
MC: 33302
Based in: West Des Moines, IA 50265 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 70 trucks, 120 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (515) 225-9029 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nounou Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3497497
MC: 1155202
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50313 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 60 trucks, 130 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (515) 201-2579 Route Verify on FMCSA

Vgt Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2633507
MC: 945435
Based in: West Des Moines, IA 50265 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 45 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (618) 655-4444 Route Verify on FMCSA

Homemakers Plaza INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4354064
MC: 1702859
Based in: Urbandale, IA 50322 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 32 trucks, 37 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (515) 309-4637 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 191 movers in Des Moines

Related routes

Other destinations from Abilene

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Abilene to Des Moines?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,620 to $2,410 for a studio, $2,430 to $3,610 for a one-bedroom, $4,040 to $6,010 for a two-bedroom, $6,470 to $9,620 for a three-bedroom and $8,890 to $13,230 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Abilene?

About 843 road miles (715 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 15 h 14 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Texas into Iowa makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Abilene to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,170 to $1,650 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,770 to $2,610. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Abilene–Des Moines corridor.