Fargo, ND → Des Moines, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Fargo to Des Moines

About 471 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,130–$4,660, delivery in 1–3 days, 99 carriers on the Fargo side and 191 in Des Moines.

471 miroad distance
8 h 49 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$3,130–$4,6602-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Fargo, North Dakota
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 471 miles (399 straight-line)
Drive time: 8 h 49 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 99 (88 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Fargo

Moving from Fargo to Des Moines is a regional long-distance move of roughly 471 road miles, heading southeast from North Dakota to Iowa.

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 $3,130 to $4,660 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 8 h 49 min.

On the Fargo side there are 99 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (88 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.

Fargo has a population of about 136,275 and Des Moines about 212,086. The two cities have comparable density (2,530 and 2,428 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from Fargo to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 471 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,250	$1,530	$1,860
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,880	$2,290	$2,790
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,130	$3,820	$4,660
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$5,010	$6,110	$7,450
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$6,890	$8,400	$10,250

Rental truck (DIY)

$780–$1,110

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

Portable container

$1,440–$2,120

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

Full-service mover

$3,130–$4,660

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Fargo, ND → 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 Fargo (origin)

Magnum Ltl INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 404961
MC: 233791
Based in: Fargo, ND 58102 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 539 trucks, 614 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (800) 726-7510 Route Verify on FMCSA

Magnum LTD

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 184416
MC: 151665
Based in: Fargo, ND 58102 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 292 trucks, 292 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (800) 726-7510 Route Verify on FMCSA

Great Plains Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 538508
MC: 268241
Based in: Fargo, ND 58102 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 140 trucks, 141 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (701) 281-3006 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hjh Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3338255
MC: 1066651
Based in: Fargo, ND 58102 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 83 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (308) 237-3151 Route Verify on FMCSA

J-Mar Enterprises

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: North Loop Tl LLC

USDOT: 291072
MC: 184368
Based in: West Fargo, ND 58078 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 51 trucks, 51 drivers
USDOT registered: 1987

Call (701) 277-0039 Route Verify on FMCSA

Midwest Moving Midwest Moving Company Mmco Mmc

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Midwest Moving Company LLC

USDOT: 3263587
MC: 1029171
Based in: West Fargo, ND 58078 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 33 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (800) 851-8235 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Tmt Fargo LLC

USDOT: 3220190
MC: 1007626
Based in: Fargo, ND 58103 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 38 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (701) 566-6581 Route Verify on FMCSA

Laabsame Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3340656
MC: 1066193
Based in: Fargo, ND 58103 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 18 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (701) 630-9226 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 99 movers in Fargo

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 Fargo

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,250 to $1,860 for a studio, $1,880 to $2,790 for a one-bedroom, $3,130 to $4,660 for a two-bedroom, $5,010 to $7,450 for a three-bedroom and $6,890 to $10,250 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Fargo?

About 471 road miles (399 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 8 h 49 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 North Dakota 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 Fargo to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $780 to $1,110 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,440 to $2,120. 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 Fargo–Des Moines corridor.