Joliet, IL → Des Moines, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Joliet to Des Moines

About 333 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,750–$4,090, delivery in 1–3 days, 694 carriers on the Joliet side and 191 in Des Moines.

333 miroad distance
6 h 27 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,750–$4,0902-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Joliet, Illinois
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 333 miles (282 straight-line)
Drive time: 6 h 27 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 694 (561 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Joliet

Des Moines sits about 333 miles west of Joliet, which makes this an interstate relocation from Illinois to Iowa that most movers classify as a regional 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 $2,750 to $4,090 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 6 h 27 min.

On the Joliet side there are 694 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (561 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.

Joliet has a population of about 152,241 and Des Moines about 212,086. The two cities have comparable density (2,331 and 2,428 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Illinois, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Joliet to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 333 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,220	$1,490	$1,810
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,650	$2,010	$2,460
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,750	$3,360	$4,090
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,400	$5,370	$6,550
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$6,050	$7,380	$9,010

Rental truck (DIY)

$490–$690

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

Portable container

$1,320–$1,940

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

Full-service mover

$2,750–$4,090

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Joliet, IL → 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 Joliet (origin)

Forsage INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2588231
MC: 907486
Based in: Channahon, IL 60410 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 600 trucks, 600 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (630) 423-5001 Route Verify on FMCSA

Em Cargo LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3073738
MC: 62685
Based in: Lemont, IL 60439 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 260 trucks, 260 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (708) 669-0406 Route Verify on FMCSA

Legacy Express Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1744355
MC: 772181
Based in: Joliet, IL 60435 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 205 trucks, 165 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (708) 897-0580 Route Verify on FMCSA

Vynera Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1585417
MC: 586954
Based in: Romeoville, IL 60446 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 185 trucks, 185 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (815) 630-5362 Route Verify on FMCSA

Prima Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1313194
MC: 527982
Based in: Joliet, IL 60432 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 165 trucks, 150 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (815) 372-9190 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tva Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2555496
MC: 890930
Based in: Plainfield, IL 60544 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 150 trucks, 163 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (815) 306-0330 Route Verify on FMCSA

Road King Express INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2578534
MC: 902373
Based in: Romeoville, IL 60446 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 138 trucks, 124 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (708) 377-9699 Route Verify on FMCSA

Zmile INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3342792
MC: 1067250
Based in: Romeoville, IL 60446 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 120 trucks, 120 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (630) 339-2721 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 694 movers in Joliet

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 Joliet

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,220 to $1,810 for a studio, $1,650 to $2,460 for a one-bedroom, $2,750 to $4,090 for a two-bedroom, $4,400 to $6,550 for a three-bedroom and $6,050 to $9,010 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Joliet?

About 333 road miles (282 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 6 h 27 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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 Illinois 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 Joliet to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $490 to $690 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,320 to $1,940. 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 Joliet–Des Moines corridor.