Pierre, SD → Des Moines, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Pierre to Des Moines

About 461 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,050–$4,530, delivery in 1–3 days, 2 carriers on the Pierre side and 191 in Des Moines.

461 miroad distance
8 h 39 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$3,050–$4,5302-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Pierre, South Dakota
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 461 miles (390 straight-line)
Drive time: 8 h 39 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 2 (2 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Pierre

Des Moines sits about 461 miles southeast of Pierre, which makes this an interstate relocation from South Dakota to Iowa that most movers classify as a regional long-distance 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 $3,050 to $4,530 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 8 h 39 min.

On the Pierre side there are 2 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (2 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.

Pierre has a population of about 14,000 and Des Moines about 212,086. Des Moines is the denser city (2,428 people per square mile versus 1,082 in Pierre), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike South Dakota, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Pierre to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 461 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,220	$1,490	$1,810
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,830	$2,230	$2,720
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,050	$3,720	$4,530
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,880	$5,950	$7,250
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$6,700	$8,180	$9,970

Rental truck (DIY)

$770–$1,090

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

Portable container

$1,430–$2,110

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

Full-service mover

$3,050–$4,530

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Pierre, SD → 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 Pierre (origin)

Charles Baker Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 234062
MC: 210452
Based in: Murdo, SD 57559 (37 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 1983

Call (605) 669-2100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Darrel Hinkle Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2340535
MC: 799203
Based in: Holabird, SD 57540 (36 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (605) 852-2298 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 2 movers in Pierre

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 Pierre

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,220 to $1,810 for a studio, $1,830 to $2,720 for a one-bedroom, $3,050 to $4,530 for a two-bedroom, $4,880 to $7,250 for a three-bedroom and $6,700 to $9,970 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Pierre?

About 461 road miles (390 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 8 h 39 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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 South Dakota 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 Pierre to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $770 to $1,090 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,430 to $2,110. 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 Pierre–Des Moines corridor.