Philadelphia, PA → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move
About 1,145 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,810–$7,150, delivery in 3–7 days, 1,658 carriers on the Philadelphia side and 191 in Des Moines.
The route from Philadelphia, PA to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 1,145 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 $4,810 to $7,150 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 20 h 27 min.
On the Philadelphia side there are 1,658 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (1,138 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.
Philadelphia has a population of about 1.6 million and Des Moines about 212,086. Philadelphia is considerably denser (11,933 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.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,920 | $2,350 | $2,860 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,880 | $3,520 | $4,290 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $4,810 | $5,860 | $7,150 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $7,690 | $9,380 | $11,450 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $10,580 | $12,900 | $15,740 |
$1,630–$2,300
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,040–$3,000
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$4,810–$7,150
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Philadelphia, PA → 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: Finster Courier Incorporated
Legal name: Dream Transportation LLC
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 $1,920 to $2,860 for a studio, $2,880 to $4,290 for a one-bedroom, $4,810 to $7,150 for a two-bedroom, $7,690 to $11,450 for a three-bedroom and $10,580 to $15,740 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,145 road miles (971 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 20 h 27 min.
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.
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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,630 to $2,300 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,040 to $3,000. 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 Philadelphia–Des Moines corridor.