Des Moines, IA → Sioux City, IA · Regional long-distance move
About 184 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,090–$3,100, delivery in 1–2 days, 191 carriers on the Des Moines side and 61 in Sioux City.
Sioux City sits about 184 miles northwest of Des Moines, so this is an in-state move that most movers classify as a regional long-distance 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 $2,090 to $3,100 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 2 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 3 h 52 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 61 around Sioux City (51 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 Sioux City.
Des Moines has a population of about 212,086 and Sioux City about 85,000. Des Moines is considerably denser (2,428 people per square mile versus 1,457), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,140 | $1,400 | $1,700 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,250 | $1,530 | $1,860 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,090 | $2,540 | $3,100 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $3,340 | $4,070 | $4,960 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $4,590 | $5,590 | $6,830 |
$340–$480
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,180–$1,740
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,090–$3,100
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Des Moines, IA → Sioux City, 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: Elvis A Villatoro INC
Legal name: Hometown Businesses INC
Legal name: Action Moving & Storage
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,140 to $1,700 for a studio, $1,250 to $1,860 for a one-bedroom, $2,090 to $3,100 for a two-bedroom, $3,340 to $4,960 for a three-bedroom and $4,590 to $6,830 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 184 road miles (156 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 52 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 Sioux City 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 $340 to $480 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,180 to $1,740. 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–Sioux City corridor.