La Crosse, WI → Des Moines, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from La Crosse to Des Moines

About 233 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,300–$3,420, delivery in 1–2 days, 100 carriers on the La Crosse side and 191 in Des Moines.

233 miroad distance
4 h 43 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,300–$3,4202-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: La Crosse, Wisconsin
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 233 miles (197 straight-line)
Drive time: 4 h 43 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 100 (64 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → La Crosse

Des Moines sits about 233 miles southwest of La Crosse, which makes this an interstate relocation from Wisconsin 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 $2,300 to $3,420 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 2 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 4 h 43 min.

On the La Crosse side there are 100 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (64 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.

La Crosse has a population of about 52,000 and Des Moines about 212,086. The two cities have comparable density (2,426 and 2,428 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from La Crosse to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 233 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,170	$1,430	$1,740
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,380	$1,680	$2,050
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,300	$2,800	$3,420
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,680	$4,480	$5,470
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,060	$6,170	$7,520

Rental truck (DIY)

$390–$550

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

Portable container

$1,230–$1,810

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

Full-service mover

$2,300–$3,420

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for La Crosse, WI → Des Moines, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

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 La Crosse (origin)

Convenience Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 775476
MC: 347275
Based in: LA Crosse, WI 54602 (0 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 363 trucks, 632 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (608) 793-6488 Verify on FMCSA

Dpw INC

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Dick'S Pallet Works INC

USDOT: 979619
MC: 420264
Based in: LA Crosse, WI 54603 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 23 drivers
USDOT registered: 2001

Call (608) 519-4222 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dennis J Degier

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 511822
MC: 776418
Based in: Holmen, WI 54636 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (608) 769-5634 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nickelotti Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2818844
MC: 939799
Based in: Chaseburg, WI 54621 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 12 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (608) 498-1990 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hallahan Transport

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Robert J Hallahan

USDOT: 2941906
MC: 995094
Based in: LA Crosse, WI 54601 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 11 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (608) 797-1891 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jones Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Guardian Express LLC

USDOT: 2163607
MC: 751809
Based in: LA Crosse, WI 54603 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (608) 386-7348 Route Verify on FMCSA

Holmen Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2457793
MC: 852762
Based in: Holmen, WI 54636 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (608) 386-9337 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jolivette Family Farms INC

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Jolivette Family Farms Transport INC

USDOT: 161775
MC: 549937
Based in: West Salem, WI 54669 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 7 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (608) 786-1930 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 100 movers in La Crosse

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 La Crosse

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from La Crosse to Des Moines?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,170 to $1,740 for a studio, $1,380 to $2,050 for a one-bedroom, $2,300 to $3,420 for a two-bedroom, $3,680 to $5,470 for a three-bedroom and $5,060 to $7,520 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from La Crosse?

About 233 road miles (197 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 4 h 43 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 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 Wisconsin 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 La Crosse to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $390 to $550 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,230 to $1,810. 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 La Crosse–Des Moines corridor.