Des Moines, IA → Austin, TX · Long-distance move
About 959 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,320–$6,420, delivery in 2–5 days, 191 carriers on the Des Moines side and 868 in Austin.
Moving from Des Moines to Austin is a long-distance move of roughly 959 road miles, heading south from Iowa to Texas.
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 $4,320 to $6,420 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 17 h 14 min.
On the Des Moines side there are 191 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (116 of them authorized for interstate work), and 868 around Austin (241 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 Austin.
Des Moines has a population of about 212,086 and Austin about 1 million. The two cities have comparable density (2,428 and 3,007 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Texas levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,730 | $2,110 | $2,570 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,590 | $3,160 | $3,850 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $4,320 | $5,270 | $6,420 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $6,910 | $8,420 | $10,280 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $9,500 | $11,580 | $14,130 |
$1,440–$2,030
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,880–$2,760
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$4,320–$6,420
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Des Moines, IA → Austin, TX. 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: Standard Forwarding LLC
Legal name: Jacobson Transportation Company INC
Legal name: Nationwide Truck Brokers INC
Legal name: Arona Corporation
Legal name: Apple Moving LLC
Legal name: The Ai Fleet INC
Legal name: Square Cow Moovers LLC
Legal name: Azuma Leasing LLC
Legal name: White Glove Storage And Delivery LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,730 to $2,570 for a studio, $2,590 to $3,850 for a one-bedroom, $4,320 to $6,420 for a two-bedroom, $6,910 to $10,280 for a three-bedroom and $9,500 to $14,130 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 959 road miles (812 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 17 h 14 min.
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.
Yes. Crossing from Iowa into Texas 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,440 to $2,030 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,880 to $2,760. 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 Des Moines–Austin corridor.