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Des Moines, IA

Seattle, WA → Des Moines, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Seattle to Des Moines

About 1,729 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,470–$9,630, delivery in 5–10 days, 1,037 carriers on the Seattle side and 191 in Des Moines.

  • 1,729 miroad distance
  • 30 hours (4 driving days)driving time
  • 5–10 daysdelivery window
  • $6,470–$9,6302-bedroom estimate
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY 2.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 1,729 miles (1,465 straight-line)
Drive time
30 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window
5–10 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
1,037 (440 interstate)
Movers at destination
191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Seattle

Moving from Seattle to Des Moines is a cross-country move of roughly 1,729 road miles, heading east from Washington to Iowa.

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 $6,470 to $9,630 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 30 hours (4 driving days).

On the Seattle side there are 1,037 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (440 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.

Seattle has a population of about 784,777 and Des Moines about 212,086. Seattle is considerably denser (8,795 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 Washington, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike Washington, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Seattle to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 1,729 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $2,590 $3,160 $3,850
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $3,880 $4,740 $5,780
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $6,470 $7,890 $9,630
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $10,360 $12,630 $15,410
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $14,240 $17,370 $21,190

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,380–$3,360

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

Portable container

$2,560–$3,770

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

Full-service mover

$6,470–$9,630

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Seattle, WA → 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 Seattle (origin)

Paradigm Delivery LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3405034
MC
1096843
Based in
Bellevue, WA 98007 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
103 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (509) 710-7754 Route Verify on FMCSA

Acme Transport USA LTD

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3664442
MC
75702336
Based in
Bellevue, WA 98006 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
76 trucks, 38 drivers
USDOT registered
2021
Call (253) 642-5009 Route Verify on FMCSA

Savanah Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Savanah Logistics LLC

USDOT
1303168
MC
505582
Based in
Seattle, WA 98108 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
75 trucks, 71 drivers
USDOT registered
2004
Call (206) 763-5887 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ocean Beauty Seafoods LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
604551
MC
789128
Based in
Renton, WA 98057 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
74 trucks, 79 drivers
USDOT registered
1995
Call (206) 286-5606 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hansen Bros Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Hansen Bros Transfer & Storage Company INC

USDOT
8257
MC
59073
Based in
Bellevue, WA 98056 (11 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
46 trucks, 42 drivers
USDOT registered
1974
Call (206) 365-4454 Route Verify on FMCSA

Exselon

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Butchie Boy Productions INC

USDOT
3194560
MC
140641
Based in
Kirkland, WA 98033 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
45 trucks, 95 drivers
USDOT registered
2018
Call (206) 769-3304 Route Verify on FMCSA

Butler Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1939713
MC
691642
Based in
Woodinville, WA 98072 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
34 trucks, 33 drivers
USDOT registered
2009
Call (206) 679-3754 Route Verify on FMCSA

Becker Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Tmsb LLC

USDOT
3620637
MC
136679
Based in
Tukwila, WA 98168 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
32 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered
2021
Call (206) 246-9500 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 1,037 movers in Seattle

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 Seattle

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,590 to $3,850 for a studio, $3,880 to $5,780 for a one-bedroom, $6,470 to $9,630 for a two-bedroom, $10,360 to $15,410 for a three-bedroom and $14,240 to $21,190 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Seattle?

About 1,729 road miles (1,465 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 30 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 Washington 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 Seattle to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,380 to $3,360 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,560 to $3,770. 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 Seattle–Des Moines corridor.