Missoula, MT → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Missoula to Des Moines

About 1,264 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,090–$7,580, delivery in 3–7 days, 35 carriers on the Missoula side and 191 in Des Moines.

1,264 miroad distance
22 h 30 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,090–$7,5802-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Missoula, Montana
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,264 miles (1,071 straight-line)
Drive time: 22 h 30 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 35 (24 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Missoula

The route from Missoula, MT to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 1,264 miles by road, a east-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 $5,090 to $7,580 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 22 h 30 min.

On the Missoula side there are 35 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (24 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.

Missoula has a population of about 76,000 and Des Moines about 212,086. The two cities have comparable density (2,111 and 2,428 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from Missoula to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 1,264 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,040	$2,480	$3,030
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,060	$3,730	$4,550
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,090	$6,210	$7,580
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,150	$9,940	$12,120
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,200	$13,660	$16,670

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,750–$2,470

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

Portable container

$2,150–$3,160

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

Full-service mover

$5,090–$7,580

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Missoula, MT → 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 Missoula (origin)

Dsv Road Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 30161
MC: 124692
Based in: Missoula, MT 59808 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 421 trucks, 340 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (406) 728-2600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Montana Transfer

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Montana Transfer & Storage INC

USDOT: 514197
MC: 121089
Based in: Missoula, MT 59808 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 15 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (406) 728-8080 Route Verify on FMCSA

All Lanes Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 917105
MC: 403277
Based in: Missoula, MT 59808 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (406) 251-7198 Route Verify on FMCSA

Biketernity LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3798296
MC: 1366116
Based in: Missoula, MT 59803 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (508) 864-1308 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck Of Montana

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Darom LLC

USDOT: 2966913
MC: 7978
Based in: Missoula, MT 59802 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (406) 251-9818 Route Verify on FMCSA

Montana Roadside Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3331492
MC: 1061736
Based in: Missoula, MT 59802 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (406) 239-7596 Route Verify on FMCSA

Blue Sky Transportation

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Igor F Babak

USDOT: 1432706
MC: 541357
Based in: Missoula, MT 59808 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (406) 531-8979 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rosetti Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1749270
MC: 640376
Based in: Missoula, MT 59808 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (406) 570-2642 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 35 movers in Missoula

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 Missoula

Near Des Moines

Related routes

Other destinations from Missoula

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,040 to $3,030 for a studio, $3,060 to $4,550 for a one-bedroom, $5,090 to $7,580 for a two-bedroom, $8,150 to $12,120 for a three-bedroom and $11,200 to $16,670 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Missoula?

About 1,264 road miles (1,071 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 22 h 30 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 Montana 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 Missoula to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,750 to $2,470 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,150 to $3,160. 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 Missoula–Des Moines corridor.