Jacksonville, FL → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move
About 1,207 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,010–$7,450, delivery in 3–7 days, 745 carriers on the Jacksonville side and 191 in Des Moines.
Des Moines sits about 1,207 miles northwest of Jacksonville, which makes this an interstate relocation from Florida to Iowa 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 $5,010 to $7,450 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 21 h 31 min.
On the Jacksonville side there are 745 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (398 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.
Jacksonville has a population of about 1 million and Des Moines about 212,086. Des Moines is the denser city (2,428 people per square mile versus 1,271 in Jacksonville), 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 Florida, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike Florida, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $2,000 | $2,440 | $2,980 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,000 | $3,660 | $4,470 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $5,010 | $6,110 | $7,450 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $8,010 | $9,770 | $11,920 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $11,020 | $13,440 | $16,390 |
$1,690–$2,390
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,100–$3,080
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$5,010–$7,450
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Jacksonville, FL → 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: Customized Trucking Services INC
Legal name: Suddath Moving & Storage LLC
Legal name: Spectrum Logistics INC
Legal name: Customized Logistics Services 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 $2,000 to $2,980 for a studio, $3,000 to $4,470 for a one-bedroom, $5,010 to $7,450 for a two-bedroom, $8,010 to $11,920 for a three-bedroom and $11,020 to $16,390 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,207 road miles (1,023 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 21 h 31 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 Florida 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 $1,690 to $2,390 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,100 to $3,080. 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 Jacksonville–Des Moines corridor.