Boulder, CO → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Boulder to Des Moines

About 729 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,970–$5,910, delivery in 2–5 days, 120 carriers on the Boulder side and 191 in Des Moines.

729 miroad distance
13 h 16 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,970–$5,9102-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Boulder, Colorado
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 729 miles (618 straight-line)
Drive time: 13 h 16 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 120 (30 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Boulder

The route from Boulder, CO to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 729 miles by road, a east-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 $3,970 to $5,910 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 13 h 16 min.

On the Boulder side there are 120 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (30 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.

Boulder has a population of about 105,689 and Des Moines about 212,086. Boulder is considerably denser (4,116 people per square mile versus 2,428), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Colorado, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Boulder to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 729 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,590	$1,940	$2,360
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,380	$2,910	$3,540
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,970	$4,840	$5,910
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$6,350	$7,750	$9,450
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$8,730	$10,650	$13,000

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,050–$1,480

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

Portable container

$1,670–$2,460

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

Full-service mover

$3,970–$5,910

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Boulder, CO → 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 Boulder (origin)

Cu

Interstate carrier

Legal name: University Of Colorado

USDOT: 364146
Based in: Boulder, CO 80303 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 161 trucks, 230 drivers
USDOT registered: 1989

Call (303) 735-7152 Route Verify on FMCSA

Gmx Transline INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2560715
MC: 89066
Based in: Superior, CO 80027 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (303) 482-6223 Route Verify on FMCSA

Insaf Carrier LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3771550
MC: 1346496
Based in: Westminster, CO 80023 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (720) 707-9195 Route Verify on FMCSA

All My Sons Moving & Storage Of Boulder

Licensed interstate

Legal name: All My Sons Of Boulder LLC

USDOT: 2629937
MC: 915118
Based in: Broomfield, CO 80020 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 13 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (469) 461-5000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Americanmoving Com

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Man & A Van Moving INC

USDOT: 1253812
MC: 491486
Based in: Broomfield, CO 80020 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 12 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (720) 651-8337 Route Verify on FMCSA

Boulder All Star Movers LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2842456
MC: 56178
Based in: Lafayette, CO 80026 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (303) 718-6355 Route Verify on FMCSA

Johnson Storage & Moving Company 303 LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3497243
MC: 1153031
Based in: Longmont, CO 80501 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Route Verify on FMCSA

Hero Haul

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Your Colorado Movers LLC

USDOT: 4342532
MC: 1696908
Based in: Arvada, CO 80007 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (888) 864-8394 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 120 movers in Boulder

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 Boulder

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,590 to $2,360 for a studio, $2,380 to $3,540 for a one-bedroom, $3,970 to $5,910 for a two-bedroom, $6,350 to $9,450 for a three-bedroom and $8,730 to $13,000 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Boulder?

About 729 road miles (618 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 13 h 16 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 Colorado 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 Boulder to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,050 to $1,480 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,670 to $2,460. 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 Boulder–Des Moines corridor.