Cedar Rapids, IA → Iowa City, IA · Local move
About 27 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,060–$1,580, delivery in 0–1 days, 96 carriers on the Cedar Rapids side and 43 in Iowa City.
Iowa City sits about 27 miles south of Cedar Rapids, so this is an in-state move that most movers classify as a local move.
Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 51 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,060 and $1,580, before packing or storage.
On the Cedar Rapids side there are 96 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (57 of them authorized for interstate work), and 43 around Iowa City (28 interstate). For an in-state 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 Iowa City.
Cedar Rapids has a population of about 137,935 and Iowa City about 75,000. Iowa City is the denser city (2,904 people per square mile versus 1,910 in Cedar Rapids), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $560 | $680 | $830 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $660 | $800 | $980 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,060 | $1,290 | $1,580 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $1,650 | $2,010 | $2,450 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $2,480 | $3,020 | $3,690 |
$180–$250
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,040–$1,540
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,060–$1,580
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Cedar Rapids, IA → Iowa City, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Crst Expedited INC
Legal name: Berns Moving INC
Legal name: Wgm Logistic Group INC
Legal name: Adamantine Spine Moving INC
Legal name: Iowa City Auto Sales LLC
Legal name: Brendan Daryl Beachy
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $560 to $830 for a studio, $660 to $980 for a one-bedroom, $1,060 to $1,580 for a two-bedroom, $1,650 to $2,450 for a three-bedroom and $2,480 to $3,690 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 27 road miles (23 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 51 min.
For a move this short, loading and delivery normally happen on the same day. Most crews finish a two-bedroom home in 5 to 8 hours plus the drive.
No. Because both Cedar Rapids and Iowa City are in Iowa, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $180 to $250 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,040 to $1,540. 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.
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 Cedar Rapids–Iowa City corridor.