Phoenix, AZ → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Phoenix to Des Moines

About 1,357 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,370–$7,990, delivery in 3–7 days, 1,433 carriers on the Phoenix side and 191 in Des Moines.

1,357 miroad distance
24 hours (3 driving days)driving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,370–$7,9902-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Phoenix, Arizona
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,357 miles (1,150 straight-line)
Drive time: 24 hours (3 driving days)
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 1,433 (623 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Phoenix

The route from Phoenix, AZ to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 1,357 miles by road, a northeast-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 $5,370 to $7,990 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 24 hours (3 driving days).

On the Phoenix side there are 1,433 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (623 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.

Phoenix has a population of about 1.7 million and Des Moines about 212,086. The two cities have comparable density (3,105 and 2,428 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Arizona, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Phoenix to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 1,357 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,150	$2,620	$3,200
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,220	$3,930	$4,790
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,370	$6,550	$7,990
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,590	$10,480	$12,780
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,820	$14,410	$17,580

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,990–$2,820

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

Portable container

$2,230–$3,280

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

Full-service mover

$5,370–$7,990

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Phoenix, AZ → 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 Phoenix (origin)

Knight Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 428823
MC: 227271
Based in: Phoenix, AZ 85027 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3,200 trucks, 3,200 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (623) 907-7231 Route Verify on FMCSA

Polydance The Production

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Samuel Bello Jr

USDOT: 4231291
MC: 1637048
Based in: Phoenix, AZ 85035 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2,000 trucks, 100 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (661) 776-5982 Route Verify on FMCSA

Swift Transportation Company Of Arizona LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 54283
MC: 136818
Based in: Phoenix, AZ 85043 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 12,940 trucks, 12,883 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (800) 800-2200 Route Verify on FMCSA

Southwest Industrial Rigging

Licensed interstate

Legal name: H K B INC

USDOT: 902604
MC: 162691
Based in: Phoenix, AZ 85041 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 151 trucks, 66 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (602) 256-7161 Route Verify on FMCSA

Updike Distribution Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1788508
MC: 651505
Based in: Phoenix, AZ 85043 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 114 trucks, 108 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (602) 682-1800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Shippers Preferred Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1119424
MC: 473382
Based in: Phoenix, AZ 85009 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 112 trucks, 114 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (602) 278-6004 Route Verify on FMCSA

Burst Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3384102
MC: 1087004
Based in: Phoenix, AZ 85034 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 46 trucks, 81 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (480) 306-6447 Route Verify on FMCSA

Harriem LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1580995
MC: 687455
Based in: El Mirage, AZ 85335 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 41 trucks, 36 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (623) 500-2393 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 1,433 movers in Phoenix

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 Phoenix

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,150 to $3,200 for a studio, $3,220 to $4,790 for a one-bedroom, $5,370 to $7,990 for a two-bedroom, $8,590 to $12,780 for a three-bedroom and $11,820 to $17,580 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Phoenix?

About 1,357 road miles (1,150 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 24 hours (3 driving days).

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 Arizona 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 Phoenix to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,990 to $2,820 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,230 to $3,280. 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 Phoenix–Des Moines corridor.