Kansas City, KS → Iowa City, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Kansas City to Iowa City

About 287 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,430–$3,620, delivery in 1–3 days, 421 carriers on the Kansas City side and 43 in Iowa City.

287 miroad distance
5 h 39 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,430–$3,6202-bedroom estimate

Photo: Stevat20 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Kansas City, Kansas
To: Iowa City, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 287 miles (243 straight-line)
Drive time: 5 h 39 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 421 (339 interstate)
Movers at destination: 43 (28 interstate)

Reverse: Iowa City → Kansas City

Iowa City sits about 287 miles northeast of Kansas City, which makes this an interstate relocation from Kansas 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 $2,430 to $3,620 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 5 h 39 min.

On the Kansas City side there are 421 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (339 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.

Kansas City has a population of about 157,805 and Iowa City about 75,000. Iowa City is the denser city (2,904 people per square mile versus 1,256 in Kansas City), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Kansas City to Iowa City

Full-service estimate for 287 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,140	$1,400	$1,700
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,460	$1,780	$2,170
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,430	$2,960	$3,620
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,890	$4,740	$5,790
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,350	$6,520	$7,960

Rental truck (DIY)

$440–$630

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

Portable container

$1,280–$1,880

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

Full-service mover

$2,430–$3,620

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Kansas City, KS → 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 Kansas City (origin)

Associated Wholesale Grocers INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 90053
MC: 319061
Based in: Kansas City, KS 66106 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 252 trucks, 1,422 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (913) 288-1000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Belger Cartage Service INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 64159
MC: 66886
Based in: Kansas City, MO 64108 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 100 trucks, 90 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (816) 474-3250 Route Verify on FMCSA

Midwest Express

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Midwest Express Corporation

USDOT: 264809
MC: 179486
Based in: Lenexa, KS 66215 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 98 trucks, 74 drivers
USDOT registered: 1985

Call (913) 573-1400 Route Verify on FMCSA

Convoy Systems LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 230360
MC: 167183
Based in: Kansas City, KS 66118 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 82 trucks, 78 drivers
USDOT registered: 1983

Call (913) 371-6500 Route Verify on FMCSA

You Move Me

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Ymm Interstate LLC

USDOT: 3964808
MC: 1479739
Based in: Lenexa, KS 66215 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 71 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (913) 820-7472 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hit INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Rmjk Enterprises INC

USDOT: 3013620
MC: 30465
Based in: Kansas City, KS 66118 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 65 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (913) 281-4040 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pod Logistics Incorporated

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3037609
MC: 43068
Based in: Kansas City, MO 64120 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 53 trucks, 53 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (806) 412-0886 Route Verify on FMCSA

K & S Enterprise Of Kansas City INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2116647
MC: 737778
Based in: Kansas City, MO 64120 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 52 trucks, 33 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (816) 241-3666 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 421 movers in Kansas City

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

Tips for this move

Plan a first-night kit for Iowa City: bedding, toiletries, a few kitchen basics.
Get three written estimates; at this distance quotes can vary by a third for the same inventory.
Ask whether the carrier will use one truck end to end or transfer your goods at a terminal.
Weigh the cost of full-value protection against the released-value default of 60 cents per pound.

Near Kansas City

Near Iowa City

Related routes

Other destinations from Kansas City

Other origins to Iowa City

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Kansas City to Iowa City?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,140 to $1,700 for a studio, $1,460 to $2,170 for a one-bedroom, $2,430 to $3,620 for a two-bedroom, $3,890 to $5,790 for a three-bedroom and $5,350 to $7,960 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Iowa City from Kansas City?

About 287 road miles (243 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 5 h 39 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 Kansas 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 Kansas City to Iowa City?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $440 to $630 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,280 to $1,880. 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 Kansas City–Iowa City corridor.