Chico, CA → Des Moines, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Chico to Des Moines

About 1,743 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,810–$10,130, delivery in 5–10 days, 47 carriers on the Chico side and 191 in Des Moines.

1,743 miroad distance
30 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,810–$10,1302-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Chico, California
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,743 miles (1,477 straight-line)
Drive time: 30 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 47 (22 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Chico

Des Moines sits about 1,743 miles east of Chico, which makes this an interstate relocation from California to Iowa that most movers classify as a cross-country move.

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 $6,810 to $10,130 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 30 hours (4 driving days).

On the Chico side there are 47 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (22 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.

Chico has a population of about 105,081 and Des Moines about 212,086. The two cities have comparable density (2,976 and 2,428 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Chico to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 1,743 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,720	$3,320	$4,050
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,090	$4,980	$6,080
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,810	$8,300	$10,130
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,890	$13,290	$16,210
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,980	$18,270	$22,290

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,390–$3,380

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

Portable container

$2,580–$3,790

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

Full-service mover

$6,810–$10,130

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

Moving cost calculator

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

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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 Chico (origin)

S And L Food Sales

Licensed interstate

Legal name: S&l Meat Sales Company

USDOT: 2616732
MC: 1018786
Based in: Chico, CA 95927 (0 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 26 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (530) 343-7953 Verify on FMCSA

Murdock'S Moving & Hauling INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3421940
MC: 1416634
Based in: Chico, CA 95973 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (530) 354-8089 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Dream Moore Incorporated

USDOT: 1632139
MC: 601878
Based in: Chico, CA 95928 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (530) 895-8871 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cleanrite Cleaning & Restoration

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Cleanrite INC

USDOT: 2672752
MC: 1291331
Based in: Chico, CA 95973 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (530) 891-0333 Route Verify on FMCSA

Straight Path Transport INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2460069
MC: 849884
Based in: Chico, CA 95926 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (530) 720-8915 Route Verify on FMCSA

Zepeda'S Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Ulises Zepeda

USDOT: 3369808
MC: 1080234
Based in: Chico, CA 95928 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (530) 519-5521 Route Verify on FMCSA

We Move Anything

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Wade Logan

USDOT: 1216126
MC: 507371
Based in: Chico, CA 95973 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (530) 896-0348 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lifestyle Auto LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4350535
MC: 1700995
Based in: Chico, CA 95973 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (754) 317-8314 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 47 movers in Chico

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 Chico

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,720 to $4,050 for a studio, $4,090 to $6,080 for a one-bedroom, $6,810 to $10,130 for a two-bedroom, $10,890 to $16,210 for a three-bedroom and $14,980 to $22,290 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Chico?

About 1,743 road miles (1,477 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 30 hours (4 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 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 California 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 Chico to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,390 to $3,380 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,580 to $3,790. 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 Chico–Des Moines corridor.