Fontana, CA → Des Moines, IA · Cross-country move
About 1,645 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,640–$9,880, delivery in 5–10 days, 1,173 carriers on the Fontana side and 191 in Des Moines.
The route from Fontana, CA to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 1,645 miles by road, a northeast-bound trip that falls into the cross-country move category for pricing purposes.
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 $6,640 to $9,880 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 29 hours (4 driving days).
On the Fontana side there are 1,173 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (642 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.
Fontana has a population of about 221,223 and Des Moines about 212,086. Fontana is considerably denser (4,835 people per square mile versus 2,428), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $2,660 | $3,240 | $3,950 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,980 | $4,860 | $5,930 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $6,640 | $8,100 | $9,880 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $10,620 | $12,960 | $15,810 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $14,610 | $17,820 | $21,730 |
$2,290–$3,230
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,490–$3,660
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$6,640–$9,880
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Fontana, CA → Des Moines, 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: So Cal Petroleum Transport INC
Legal name: Scoc Services INC
Legal name: Nationwide Trans INC
Legal name: Standard Forwarding LLC
Legal name: Jacobson Transportation Company INC
Legal name: Nationwide Truck Brokers INC
Legal name: Arona Corporation
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,660 to $3,950 for a studio, $3,980 to $5,930 for a one-bedroom, $6,640 to $9,880 for a two-bedroom, $10,620 to $15,810 for a three-bedroom and $14,610 to $21,730 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,645 road miles (1,394 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 29 hours (4 driving days).
Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 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 California 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,290 to $3,230 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,490 to $3,660. 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 Fontana–Des Moines corridor.