Des Moines, IA → St. Louis, MO · Regional long-distance move
About 318 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,550–$3,790, delivery in 1–3 days, 191 carriers on the Des Moines side and 645 in St. Louis.
Moving from Des Moines to St. Louis is a regional long-distance move of roughly 318 road miles, heading southeast from Iowa to Missouri.
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 $2,550 to $3,790 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 6 h 11 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 645 around St. Louis (464 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 St. Louis.
Des Moines has a population of about 212,086 and St. Louis about 278,144. St. Louis is the denser city (4,888 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.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,150 | $1,400 | $1,710 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,530 | $1,860 | $2,280 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,550 | $3,110 | $3,790 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $4,080 | $4,970 | $6,070 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $5,610 | $6,840 | $8,340 |
$480–$670
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,300–$1,920
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,550–$3,790
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Des Moines, IA → St. Louis, MO. 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: Itf LLC
Legal name: Hogan Dedicated Services LLC
Legal name: United Van Lines LLC
Legal name: Mayflower Transit LLC
Legal name: Trekker Logistics LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,150 to $1,710 for a studio, $1,530 to $2,280 for a one-bedroom, $2,550 to $3,790 for a two-bedroom, $4,080 to $6,070 for a three-bedroom and $5,610 to $8,340 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 318 road miles (270 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 6 h 11 min.
Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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 Missouri 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 $480 to $670 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,300 to $1,920. 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–St. Louis corridor.