Des Moines, IA → Fort Lauderdale, FL · Cross-country move
About 1,549 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,790–$8,620, delivery in 5–10 days, 191 carriers on the Des Moines side and 1,841 in Fort Lauderdale.
Moving from Des Moines to Fort Lauderdale is a cross-country move of roughly 1,549 road miles, heading southeast from Iowa to Florida.
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 $5,790 to $8,620 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 27 hours (4 driving days).
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 1,841 around Fort Lauderdale (706 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 Fort Lauderdale.
Des Moines has a population of about 212,086 and Fort Lauderdale about 188,677. Fort Lauderdale is the denser city (5,282 people per square mile versus 2,428 in Des Moines), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Florida is a higher-cost state than Iowa, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. Florida 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 | $2,320 | $2,830 | $3,450 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,480 | $4,240 | $5,170 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $5,790 | $7,060 | $8,620 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $9,270 | $11,300 | $13,790 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $12,740 | $15,540 | $18,960 |
$2,190–$3,090
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,400–$3,530
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$5,790–$8,620
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Des Moines, IA → Fort Lauderdale, FL. 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: Jds Family Investment Trust LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,320 to $3,450 for a studio, $3,480 to $5,170 for a one-bedroom, $5,790 to $8,620 for a two-bedroom, $9,270 to $13,790 for a three-bedroom and $12,740 to $18,960 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,549 road miles (1,313 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 27 hours (4 driving days).
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.
Yes. Crossing from Iowa into Florida 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 $2,190 to $3,090 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,400 to $3,530. 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–Fort Lauderdale corridor.