Iowa City, IA → Portsmouth, NH · Long-distance move
About 1,252 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,270–$7,850, delivery in 3–7 days, 43 carriers on the Iowa City side and 51 in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth sits about 1,252 miles east of Iowa City, which makes this an interstate relocation from Iowa to New Hampshire that most movers classify as a 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 $5,270 to $7,850 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 22 h 17 min.
On the Iowa City side there are 43 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (28 of them authorized for interstate work), and 51 around Portsmouth (38 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 Portsmouth.
Iowa City has a population of about 75,000 and Portsmouth about 23,000. Iowa City is considerably denser (2,904 people per square mile versus 1,402), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. New Hampshire is a higher-cost state than Iowa, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. New Hampshire levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $2,110 | $2,570 | $3,140 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,160 | $3,860 | $4,710 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $5,270 | $6,430 | $7,850 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $8,440 | $10,290 | $12,550 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $11,600 | $14,150 | $17,260 |
$1,740–$2,450
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,140–$3,140
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$5,270–$7,850
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Iowa City, IA → Portsmouth, NH. 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: Adamantine Spine Moving INC
Legal name: Iowa City Auto Sales LLC
Legal name: Brendan Daryl Beachy
Legal name: Crowded Street Holdings LLC
Legal name: Preferred Movers LLC
Legal name: Bluebird Storage LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,110 to $3,140 for a studio, $3,160 to $4,710 for a one-bedroom, $5,270 to $7,850 for a two-bedroom, $8,440 to $12,550 for a three-bedroom and $11,600 to $17,260 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,252 road miles (1,061 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 22 h 17 min.
Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 Iowa into New Hampshire 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 $1,740 to $2,450 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,140 to $3,140. 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 Iowa City–Portsmouth corridor.