Lancaster, PA → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Lancaster to Des Moines

About 1,074 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,640–$6,900, delivery in 3–7 days, 260 carriers on the Lancaster side and 191 in Des Moines.

1,074 miroad distance
19 h 13 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$4,640–$6,9002-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,074 miles (910 straight-line)
Drive time: 19 h 13 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 260 (171 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Lancaster

The route from Lancaster, PA to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 1,074 miles by road, a west-bound trip that falls into the long-distance move category for pricing purposes.

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 $4,640 to $6,900 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 19 h 13 min.

On the Lancaster side there are 260 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (171 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.

Lancaster has a population of about 58,000 and Des Moines about 212,086. Lancaster is considerably denser (8,031 people per square mile versus 2,428), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.

Cost of moving from Lancaster to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 1,074 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,860	$2,260	$2,760
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,780	$3,390	$4,140
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$4,640	$5,660	$6,900
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$7,420	$9,050	$11,040
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$10,200	$12,440	$15,180

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,550–$2,190

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

Portable container

$1,980–$2,910

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

Full-service mover

$4,640–$6,900

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Lancaster, PA → 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 Lancaster (origin)

Miller Dedicated Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2562869
MC: 894481
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 200 trucks, 200 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (609) 265-2511 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sunrise Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 276388
MC: 290856
Based in: Ephrata, PA 17522 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 128 trucks, 152 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (717) 721-2803 Route Verify on FMCSA

Falcon Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 168358
MC: 145282
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 120 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (717) 735-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pioneer Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 514795
MC: 197249
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 115 trucks, 100 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (717) 735-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Quaker Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 619559
MC: 287214
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 66 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (717) 735-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Snavely'S Mill INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 377174
MC: 302885
Based in: Lititz, PA 17543 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 39 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (717) 626-6256 Route Verify on FMCSA

Clark Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2040512
MC: 720073
Based in: Quarryville, PA 17566 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (717) 471-8623 Route Verify on FMCSA

Shawnee Trucking Pa INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1342517
MC: 515012
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 63 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (717) 684-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 260 movers in Lancaster

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

Tips for this move

Ask how the delivery window is calculated and what the delay compensation is.
Declutter first: long-haul pricing is by weight, so every hundred pounds you sell or donate saves money.
Check whether a shuttle truck is needed in Des Moines if a 53-foot trailer cannot reach your street.
Keep vehicle titles, passports and prescriptions with you; movers cannot carry some items at all.

Near Lancaster

Near Des Moines

Related routes

Other destinations from Lancaster

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,860 to $2,760 for a studio, $2,780 to $4,140 for a one-bedroom, $4,640 to $6,900 for a two-bedroom, $7,420 to $11,040 for a three-bedroom and $10,200 to $15,180 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Lancaster?

About 1,074 road miles (910 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 19 h 13 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Pennsylvania 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 Lancaster to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,550 to $2,190 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,980 to $2,910. 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 Lancaster–Des Moines corridor.