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Des Moines, IA

Monterey, CA → Des Moines, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Monterey to Des Moines

About 1,826 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,950–$10,340, delivery in 5–10 days, 12 carriers on the Monterey side and 191 in Des Moines.

  • 1,826 miroad distance
  • 32 hours (4 driving days)driving time
  • 5–10 daysdelivery window
  • $6,950–$10,3402-bedroom estimate
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY 2.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 1,826 miles (1,547 straight-line)
Drive time
32 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window
5–10 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
12 (4 interstate)
Movers at destination
191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Monterey

Des Moines sits about 1,826 miles east of Monterey, which makes this an interstate relocation from California to Iowa that most movers classify as a cross-country 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 $6,950 to $10,340 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 32 hours (4 driving days).

On the Monterey side there are 12 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (4 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.

Monterey has a population of about 30,000 and Des Moines about 212,086. Monterey is considerably denser (3,495 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.

Cost of moving from Monterey to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 1,826 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $2,780 $3,390 $4,140
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $4,170 $5,090 $6,210
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $6,950 $8,480 $10,340
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $11,120 $13,560 $16,550
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $15,290 $18,650 $22,750

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,630–$3,710

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

Portable container

$2,650–$3,900

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

Full-service mover

$6,950–$10,340

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Monterey, CA → 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 Monterey (origin)

American Movers INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1077325
MC
447949
Based in
Marina, CA 93933 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
3 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2002
Call (831) 384-4139 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mod-Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: 21st Century Moving LLC

USDOT
2983026
MC
1294330
Based in
Monterey, CA 93940 (5 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2017
Call (831) 869-9367 Route Verify on FMCSA

Monterey Peninsula Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Valerio Lima

USDOT
167294
MC
51424
Based in
Marina, CA 93933 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 3 drivers
USDOT registered
1974
Call (831) 883-0212 Route Verify on FMCSA

Supply & Demand Trucking INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3507091
MC
1159608
Based in
Marina, CA 93933 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (831) 710-7824 Route Verify on FMCSA

A New Beginning Monterey

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Marcus Chubbs INC

USDOT
2710075
Based in
Seaside, CA 93955 (5 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (831) 392-6487 Route Verify on FMCSA

Monterey Junk Removal

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: David Newell Johnson

USDOT
3202429
Based in
Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (3 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2018
Call (831) 737-4614 Route Verify on FMCSA

White Glove Movers LLC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
3375963
MC
1082909
Based in
Pebble Beach, CA 93953 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (831) 236-0336 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jrg Junk Removal & Yard Maintenance

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Jesus Ruelas Gamboa

USDOT
3725511
Based in
Seaside, CA 93955 (5 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2021
Call (831) 521-8173 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 12 movers in Monterey

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 Monterey

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,780 to $4,140 for a studio, $4,170 to $6,210 for a one-bedroom, $6,950 to $10,340 for a two-bedroom, $11,120 to $16,550 for a three-bedroom and $15,290 to $22,750 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Monterey?

About 1,826 road miles (1,547 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 32 hours (4 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

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.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Monterey to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,630 to $3,710 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,650 to $3,900. 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 Monterey–Des Moines corridor.