Appleton, WI → Des Moines, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Appleton to Des Moines

About 382 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,810–$4,180, delivery in 1–3 days, 81 carriers on the Appleton side and 191 in Des Moines.

382 miroad distance
7 h 17 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,810–$4,1802-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Appleton, Wisconsin
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 382 miles (324 straight-line)
Drive time: 7 h 17 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 81 (36 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Appleton

The route from Appleton, WI to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 382 miles by road, a southwest-bound trip that falls into the regional 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 $2,810 to $4,180 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 7 h 17 min.

On the Appleton side there are 81 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (36 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.

Appleton has a population of about 75,000 and Des Moines about 212,086. The two cities have comparable density (2,986 and 2,428 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from Appleton to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 382 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,170	$1,430	$1,740
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,690	$2,060	$2,510
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,810	$3,430	$4,180
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,490	$5,480	$6,690
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$6,180	$7,540	$9,190

Rental truck (DIY)

$540–$770

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

Portable container

$1,360–$2,000

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

Full-service mover

$2,810–$4,180

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Appleton, WI → 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 Appleton (origin)

J M W Transfer INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 453242
MC: 207084
Based in: Appleton, WI 54913 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 40 trucks, 34 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (920) 731-4628 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bakers Supply Co INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 48340
MC: 232281
Based in: Greenville, WI 54942 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 33 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (920) 560-3291 Route Verify on FMCSA

Schroeder Moving Systems

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Schroeder Moving Systems Of Appleton LLC

USDOT: 514341
MC: 202022
Based in: Appleton, WI 54911 (0 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 27 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (920) 739-5533 Route Verify on FMCSA

McCoy's Gravel & Excavating LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 995097
MC: 56200
Based in: Appleton, WI 54913 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2001

Call (906) 254-3019 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pods

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Packerland Portable Storage INC

USDOT: 1472667
MC: 819526
Based in: Appleton, WI 54913 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (920) 882-7448 Route Verify on FMCSA

A Smooth Move LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3096189
MC: 1630179
Based in: Appleton, WI 54913 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (920) 203-4645 Route Verify on FMCSA

North Shore Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1718063
MC: 630062
Based in: Neenah, WI 54956 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (920) 886-8717 Route Verify on FMCSA

Spivey Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3058181
MC: 53652
Based in: Appleton, WI 54915 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (920) 277-0334 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 81 movers in Appleton

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 Appleton

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,170 to $1,740 for a studio, $1,690 to $2,510 for a one-bedroom, $2,810 to $4,180 for a two-bedroom, $4,490 to $6,690 for a three-bedroom and $6,180 to $9,190 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Appleton?

About 382 road miles (324 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 7 h 17 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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 Wisconsin 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 Appleton to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $540 to $770 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,360 to $2,000. 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 Appleton–Des Moines corridor.