Des Moines, IA → Cedar Rapids, IA · Short-haul move
About 122 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,880–$2,790, delivery in 1–2 days, 191 carriers on the Des Moines side and 96 in Cedar Rapids.
Moving from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids is a short-haul move of roughly 122 road miles, heading east within Iowa.
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 2 h 48 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,880 and $2,790, before packing or storage.
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 96 around Cedar Rapids (57 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 Cedar Rapids.
Des Moines has a population of about 212,086 and Cedar Rapids about 137,935. The two cities have comparable density (2,428 and 1,910 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,140 | $1,400 | $1,700 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,140 | $1,400 | $1,700 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $1,880 | $2,290 | $2,790 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $3,000 | $3,660 | $4,470 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $4,130 | $5,040 | $6,140 |
$280–$390
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,130–$1,660
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,880–$2,790
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Des Moines, IA → Cedar Rapids, 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: Standard Forwarding LLC
Legal name: Jacobson Transportation Company INC
Legal name: Nationwide Truck Brokers INC
Legal name: Arona Corporation
Legal name: Crst Expedited INC
Legal name: Berns Moving INC
Legal name: Wgm Logistic Group INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,140 to $1,700 for a studio, $1,140 to $1,700 for a one-bedroom, $1,880 to $2,790 for a two-bedroom, $3,000 to $4,470 for a three-bedroom and $4,130 to $6,140 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 122 road miles (103 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 48 min.
Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 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.
No. Because both Des Moines and Cedar Rapids 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 $280 to $390 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,130 to $1,660. 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–Cedar Rapids corridor.