Hilo, HI → Des Moines, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Hilo to Des Moines

About 4,561 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $11,920–$17,740, delivery in 7–14 days, 19 carriers on the Hilo side and 191 in Des Moines.

4,561 miroad distance
79 hours (9 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$11,920–$17,7402-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Hilo, Hawaii
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 4,561 miles (3,866 straight-line)
Drive time: 79 hours (9 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 19 (4 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Hilo

Des Moines sits about 4,561 miles northeast of Hilo, which makes this an interstate relocation from Hawaii to Iowa that most movers classify as a cross-country 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 $11,920 to $17,740 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 7 to 14 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 79 hours (9 driving days).

On the Hilo side there are 19 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (4 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.

Hilo has a population of about 45,000 and Des Moines about 212,086. Des Moines is the denser city (2,428 people per square mile versus 824 in Hilo), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Hawaii, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Hilo to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 4,561 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$4,770	$5,820	$7,100
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$7,150	$8,730	$10,640
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$11,920	$14,540	$17,740
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$19,080	$23,270	$28,390
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$26,230	$31,990	$39,030

Rental truck (DIY)

$6,340–$8,950

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

Portable container

$5,090–$7,490

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

Full-service mover

$11,920–$17,740

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Hilo, HI → Des Moines, 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 Hilo (origin)

Acr Water Hauling INC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 1205380
Based in: Keaau, HI 96749 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 19 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (808) 966-7693 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hitco Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: H Kono INC

USDOT: 30309
MC: 512899
Based in: Hilo, HI 96720 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 19 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (808) 935-0010 Route Verify on FMCSA

Island Cold Storage LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2190838
MC: 760358
Based in: Keaau, HI 96749 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 11 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (808) 933-2700 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kuwaye Trucking INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 62964
Based in: Hilo, HI 96720 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 13 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (808) 935-2845 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mihara Transfer Incorporated

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 62971
Based in: Hilo, HI 96720 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 13 trucks, 9 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (808) 935-1597 Route Verify on FMCSA

Keaau Service Station INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 762035
Based in: Kurtistown, HI 96760 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 11 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (808) 966-9373 Route Verify on FMCSA

Yamada Transfer INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 129889
Based in: Hilo, HI 96720 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 10 trucks, 9 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (808) 933-7338 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kai'S Trucking LLC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 1953191
Based in: Kurtistown, HI 96760 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 8 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (808) 935-0011 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 19 movers in Hilo

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 Hilo

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $4,770 to $7,100 for a studio, $7,150 to $10,640 for a one-bedroom, $11,920 to $17,740 for a two-bedroom, $19,080 to $28,390 for a three-bedroom and $26,230 to $39,030 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Hilo?

About 4,561 road miles (3,866 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 79 hours (9 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 7 to 14 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 Hawaii 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 Hilo to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $6,340 to $8,950 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $5,090 to $7,490. 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 Hilo–Des Moines corridor.