Los Angeles, CA → Des Moines, IA · Cross-country move
About 1,705 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,740–$10,030, delivery in 5–10 days, 2,866 carriers on the Los Angeles side and 191 in Des Moines.
Moving from Los Angeles to Des Moines is a cross-country move of roughly 1,705 road miles, heading northeast from California to Iowa.
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 $6,740 to $10,030 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 30 hours (4 driving days).
On the Los Angeles side there are 2,866 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (1,210 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.
Los Angeles has a population of about 3.9 million and Des Moines about 212,086. Los Angeles is considerably denser (8,304 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. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $2,700 | $3,290 | $4,010 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $4,050 | $4,930 | $6,020 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $6,740 | $8,220 | $10,030 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $10,790 | $13,160 | $16,050 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $14,840 | $18,090 | $22,070 |
$2,350–$3,320
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,540–$3,740
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$6,740–$10,030
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Los Angeles, CA → 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: Dependable Highway Express 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 $2,700 to $4,010 for a studio, $4,050 to $6,020 for a one-bedroom, $6,740 to $10,030 for a two-bedroom, $10,790 to $16,050 for a three-bedroom and $14,840 to $22,070 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,705 road miles (1,445 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 30 hours (4 driving days).
Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 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 California 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 $2,350 to $3,320 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,540 to $3,740. 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 Los Angeles–Des Moines corridor.