Clearwater, FL → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Clearwater to Des Moines

About 1,322 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,290–$7,860, delivery in 3–7 days, 361 carriers on the Clearwater side and 191 in Des Moines.

1,322 miroad distance
23 h 30 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,290–$7,8602-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Clearwater, Florida
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,322 miles (1,121 straight-line)
Drive time: 23 h 30 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 361 (127 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Clearwater

Moving from Clearwater to Des Moines is a long-distance move of roughly 1,322 road miles, heading northwest from Florida to Iowa.

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 $5,290 to $7,860 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 23 h 30 min.

On the Clearwater side there are 361 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (127 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.

Clearwater has a population of about 114,364 and Des Moines about 212,086. Clearwater is considerably denser (4,494 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 Florida, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike Florida, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Clearwater to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 1,322 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,110	$2,580	$3,150
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,170	$3,870	$4,720
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,290	$6,450	$7,860
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,460	$10,310	$12,580
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,630	$14,180	$17,300

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,810–$2,550

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

Portable container

$2,200–$3,240

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

Full-service mover

$5,290–$7,860

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Clearwater, FL → 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 Clearwater (origin)

Pods

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Pods Enterprises LLC

USDOT: 1397252
Based in: Clearwater, FL 33762 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1,324 trucks, 1,100 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (727) 509-6895 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mtc Freight LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2979890
MC: 15958
Based in: Clearwater, FL 33759 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 60 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (727) 202-9293 Route Verify on FMCSA

Somat Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1208624
MC: 480786
Based in: Clearwater, FL 33765 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 26 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (727) 656-2780 Route Verify on FMCSA

Venecia Logistica LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3436639
MC: 1114981
Based in: Tampa, FL 33626 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 26 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (813) 405-7288 Route Verify on FMCSA

Joule Yacht Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 74296
MC: 128791
Based in: Clearwater, FL 33762 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 21 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (727) 573-2627 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dbr Carrier INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1616398
MC: 597443
Based in: Clearwater, FL 33763 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (727) 365-8714 Route Verify on FMCSA

Trans Pro INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1945381
MC: 692474
Based in: Clearwater, FL 33765 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 19 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (727) 373-8773 Route Verify on FMCSA

Atl INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 896761
MC: 274730
Based in: Clearwater, FL 33762 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (727) 572-8841 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 361 movers in Clearwater

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 Clearwater

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,110 to $3,150 for a studio, $3,170 to $4,720 for a one-bedroom, $5,290 to $7,860 for a two-bedroom, $8,460 to $12,580 for a three-bedroom and $11,630 to $17,300 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Clearwater?

About 1,322 road miles (1,121 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 23 h 30 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 Florida 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 Clearwater to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,810 to $2,550 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,200 to $3,240. 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 Clearwater–Des Moines corridor.