Des Moines, IA → Tuscaloosa, AL · Long-distance move
About 785 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,740–$5,570, delivery in 2–5 days, 191 carriers on the Des Moines side and 80 in Tuscaloosa.
Moving from Des Moines to Tuscaloosa is a long-distance move of roughly 785 road miles, heading southeast from Iowa to Alabama.
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 $3,740 to $5,570 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 14 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 80 around Tuscaloosa (39 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 Tuscaloosa.
Des Moines has a population of about 212,086 and Tuscaloosa about 114,316. Des Moines is considerably denser (2,428 people per square mile versus 1,609), 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 | $1,500 | $1,830 | $2,230 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,250 | $2,740 | $3,340 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $3,740 | $4,560 | $5,570 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $5,990 | $7,300 | $8,910 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $8,230 | $10,040 | $12,250 |
$1,110–$1,560
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,720–$2,530
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$3,740–$5,570
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Des Moines, IA → Tuscaloosa, AL. 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: Jst INC
Legal name: Cbs Leasing LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,500 to $2,230 for a studio, $2,250 to $3,340 for a one-bedroom, $3,740 to $5,570 for a two-bedroom, $5,990 to $8,910 for a three-bedroom and $8,230 to $12,250 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 785 road miles (665 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 14 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 Alabama 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 $1,110 to $1,560 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,720 to $2,530. 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–Tuscaloosa corridor.