Grand Forks, ND → Iowa City, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Grand Forks to Iowa City

About 603 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,470–$5,170, delivery in 2–5 days, 40 carriers on the Grand Forks side and 43 in Iowa City.

603 miroad distance
11 h 6 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,470–$5,1702-bedroom estimate

Photo: Stevat20 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Grand Forks, North Dakota
To: Iowa City, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 603 miles (511 straight-line)
Drive time: 11 h 6 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 40 (33 interstate)
Movers at destination: 43 (28 interstate)

Reverse: Iowa City → Grand Forks

The route from Grand Forks, ND to Iowa City, IA covers roughly 603 miles by road, a southeast-bound trip that falls into the long-distance 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 $3,470 to $5,170 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 11 h 6 min.

On the Grand Forks side there are 40 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (33 of them authorized for interstate work), and 43 around Iowa City (28 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 Iowa City.

Grand Forks has a population of about 59,000 and Iowa City about 75,000. Iowa City is the denser city (2,904 people per square mile versus 2,037 in Grand Forks), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Grand Forks to Iowa City

Full-service estimate for 603 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,390	$1,690	$2,070
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,080	$2,540	$3,100
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,470	$4,240	$5,170
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$5,560	$6,780	$8,270
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$7,640	$9,320	$11,370

Rental truck (DIY)

$920–$1,300

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

Portable container

$1,560–$2,290

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

Full-service mover

$3,470–$5,170

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Grand Forks, ND → Iowa City, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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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 Grand Forks (origin)

Freightex Freight Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2387910
MC: 816635
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 58 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (701) 757-1170 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hawkes Company INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 460295
MC: 475583
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (701) 775-5156 Route Verify on FMCSA

Spicer Trucking

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Bruce Spicer Mark Spicer Brad Spicer Cliff Spicer

USDOT: 237868
MC: 157037
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 13 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1983

Call (701) 772-6900 Route Verify on FMCSA

Horizon Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3312635
MC: 1052564
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58201 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (701) 772-2620 Route Verify on FMCSA

Senske & Son

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Senske & Son Transfer Co

USDOT: 125571
MC: 158090
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (701) 746-6472 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lunseth Trucking Company LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3330680
MC: 1061342
Based in: Manvel, ND 58256 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (701) 741-3340 Route Verify on FMCSA

Whalen'S Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Whalens INC

USDOT: 35282
MC: 101940
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (701) 775-5557 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pearl Express

Licensed interstate

Legal name: David L Schmidt

USDOT: 1796422
MC: 653647
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (218) 779-8423 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 40 movers in Grand Forks

Near Iowa City (destination)

Adamantine Spine Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Adamantine Spine Moving INC

USDOT: 1471037
MC: 556716
Based in: Iowa City, IA 52240 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 37 trucks, 41 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (319) 325-6683 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bolton Logistics LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4766652
Based in: Solon, IA 52333 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 24 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (319) 210-4857 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bolton Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2471478
MC: 61612
Based in: Solon, IA 52333 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (319) 624-2086 Route Verify on FMCSA

Slager Appliances

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2028718
MC: 1754363
Based in: Iowa City, IA 52246 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (319) 337-3800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Asap Towing

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Iowa City Auto Sales LLC

USDOT: 1352324
Based in: Iowa City, IA 52240 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (319) 330-1629 Route Verify on FMCSA

Stannard Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 228904
MC: 166228
Based in: Iowa City, IA 52246 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1983

Call (319) 351-1552 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bee'S Transport

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Brendan Daryl Beachy

USDOT: 2821656
MC: 1068797
Based in: Kalona, IA 52247 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (319) 530-1197 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hardy Concierge Services LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4222688
Based in: North Liberty, IA 52317 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (319) 382-0721 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 43 movers in Iowa City

Related routes

Other destinations from Grand Forks

Other origins to Iowa City

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Grand Forks to Iowa City?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,390 to $2,070 for a studio, $2,080 to $3,100 for a one-bedroom, $3,470 to $5,170 for a two-bedroom, $5,560 to $8,270 for a three-bedroom and $7,640 to $11,370 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Iowa City from Grand Forks?

About 603 road miles (511 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 11 h 6 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

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.

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 Grand Forks to Iowa City?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $920 to $1,300 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,560 to $2,290. 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 Grand Forks–Iowa City corridor.