Elgin, IL → Des Moines, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Elgin to Des Moines

About 323 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,720–$4,040, delivery in 1–3 days, 404 carriers on the Elgin side and 191 in Des Moines.

323 miroad distance
6 h 16 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,720–$4,0402-bedroom estimate

Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Elgin, Illinois
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 323 miles (274 straight-line)
Drive time: 6 h 16 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 404 (329 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Elgin

Des Moines sits about 323 miles west of Elgin, which makes this an interstate relocation from Illinois to Iowa 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 $2,720 to $4,040 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 16 min.

On the Elgin side there are 404 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (329 of them authorized for interstate work), and 191 around Des Moines (116 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 Des Moines.

Elgin has a population of about 115,476 and Des Moines about 212,086. The two cities have comparable density (3,021 and 2,428 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Illinois, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Elgin to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 323 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,220	$1,490	$1,810
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,630	$1,990	$2,420
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,720	$3,310	$4,040
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,350	$5,300	$6,470
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,980	$7,290	$8,890

Rental truck (DIY)

$480–$680

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,310–$1,920

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$2,720–$4,040

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Elgin, IL → Des Moines, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Elgin (origin)

Boy O Boy High Gloss

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4369508
MC: 1711156
Based in: Elgin, IL 60120 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 12,037 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (331) 210-2039 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pava Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2209504
MC: 766662
Based in: Bartlett, IL 60103 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 300 trucks, 155 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (773) 312-7560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mainfreight INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1538326
MC: 572473
Based in: Carol Stream, IL 60185 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 341 trucks, 341 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (630) 496-7400 Route Verify on FMCSA

Father & Son Hauling LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2003220
MC: 707027
Based in: East Dundee, IL 60118 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 260 trucks, 130 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (720) 641-9939 Route Verify on FMCSA

Universe Carrier INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2124287
MC: 740221
Based in: Huntley, IL 60142 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 210 trucks, 216 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (773) 577-5795 Route Verify on FMCSA

United Fleet Corp

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3982601
MC: 1491592
Based in: Schaumburg, IL 60173 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 210 trucks, 210 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (224) 998-9896 Route Verify on FMCSA

Agi Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2019189
MC: 890687
Based in: Schaumburg, IL 60173 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 167 trucks, 170 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Route Verify on FMCSA

Ue Line INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2790763
MC: 930850
Based in: Elgin, IL 60123 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 165 trucks, 170 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (773) 657-5354 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 404 movers in Elgin

Near Des Moines (destination)

Dhl Freight

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Standard Forwarding LLC

USDOT: 1996747
MC: 16536
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50316 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 302 trucks, 277 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (800) 447-2012 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jacobson Warehouse Co

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Jacobson Transportation Company INC

USDOT: 241594
MC: 172189
Based in: Clive, IA 50325 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 483 trucks, 459 drivers
USDOT registered: 1984

Call (219) 742-2278 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ntb

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Nationwide Truck Brokers INC

USDOT: 158325
MC: 142245
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50309 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 158 trucks, 165 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (515) 245-2595 Route Verify on FMCSA

Crawford Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 450195
MC: 232411
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50321 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 70 trucks, 73 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Route Verify on FMCSA

Arona Home Essentials

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Arona Corporation

USDOT: 1278309
MC: 33302
Based in: West Des Moines, IA 50265 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 70 trucks, 120 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (515) 225-9029 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nounou Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3497497
MC: 1155202
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50313 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 60 trucks, 130 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (515) 201-2579 Route Verify on FMCSA

Vgt Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2633507
MC: 945435
Based in: West Des Moines, IA 50265 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 45 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (618) 655-4444 Route Verify on FMCSA

Homemakers Plaza INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4354064
MC: 1702859
Based in: Urbandale, IA 50322 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 32 trucks, 37 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (515) 309-4637 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 191 movers in Des Moines

Related routes

Other destinations from Elgin

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Elgin to Des Moines?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,220 to $1,810 for a studio, $1,630 to $2,420 for a one-bedroom, $2,720 to $4,040 for a two-bedroom, $4,350 to $6,470 for a three-bedroom and $5,980 to $8,890 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Elgin?

About 323 road miles (274 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 6 h 16 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Illinois into Iowa 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.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Elgin to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $480 to $680 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,310 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.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

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 Elgin–Des Moines corridor.