South Bend, IN → Iowa City, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from South Bend to Iowa City

About 320 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,560–$3,800, delivery in 1–3 days, 173 carriers on the South Bend side and 43 in Iowa City.

320 miroad distance
6 h 13 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,560–$3,8002-bedroom estimate

Photo: Stevat20 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: South Bend, Indiana
To: Iowa City, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 320 miles (272 straight-line)
Drive time: 6 h 13 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 173 (134 interstate)
Movers at destination: 43 (28 interstate)

Reverse: Iowa City → South Bend

Moving from South Bend to Iowa City is a regional long-distance move of roughly 320 road miles, heading west from Indiana 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 $2,560 to $3,800 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 6 h 13 min.

On the South Bend side there are 173 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (134 of them authorized for interstate work), and 43 around Iowa City (28 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 Iowa City.

South Bend has a population of about 103,201 and Iowa City about 75,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,463 and 2,904 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from South Bend to Iowa City

Full-service estimate for 320 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,150	$1,400	$1,710
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,530	$1,870	$2,280
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,560	$3,120	$3,800
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,090	$4,990	$6,080
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,620	$6,860	$8,360

Rental truck (DIY)

$480–$680

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

Portable container

$1,310–$1,920

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

Full-service mover

$2,560–$3,800

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for South Bend, IN → Iowa City, 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 South Bend (origin)

K & B Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 75914
MC: 1184
Based in: Elkhart, IN 46517 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 55 trucks, 55 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (574) 389-1986 Route Verify on FMCSA

C W Leasing And Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 573816
MC: 279857
Based in: South Bend, IN 46614 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 31 trucks, 31 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (574) 231-0881 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bettchers US Towing

Licensed interstate

Legal name: US Truck & Trailer Service INC

USDOT: 2102979
MC: 733462
Based in: Lakeville, IN 46536 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 31 trucks, 14 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (574) 784-8264 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kovac Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1299125
MC: 504038
Based in: Mishawaka, IN 46544 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 29 trucks, 29 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (574) 234-4805 Route Verify on FMCSA

Five Star Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1473865
MC: 556503
Based in: New Carlisle, IN 46552 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 19 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (574) 654-8058 Route Verify on FMCSA

Golden Waffles

Licensed interstate

Legal name: New Carbon Company LLC

USDOT: 1486479
MC: 1700967
Based in: South Bend, IN 46628 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 18 trucks, 18 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (574) 850-3609 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cobalt Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3600277
MC: 1222643
Based in: South Bend, IN 46637 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 13 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (574) 404-1710 Route Verify on FMCSA

Fire Bins

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Cbhim LLC

USDOT: 4437382
MC: 1746836
Based in: Granger, IN 46530 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 10 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (574) 532-4849 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 173 movers in South Bend

Near Iowa City (destination)

Adamantine Spine Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Adamantine Spine Moving INC

USDOT: 1471037
MC: 556716
Based in: Iowa City, IA 52240 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 37 trucks, 41 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (319) 325-6683 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bolton Logistics LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4766652
Based in: Solon, IA 52333 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 24 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (319) 210-4857 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bolton Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2471478
MC: 61612
Based in: Solon, IA 52333 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (319) 624-2086 Route Verify on FMCSA

Slager Appliances

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2028718
MC: 1754363
Based in: Iowa City, IA 52246 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (319) 337-3800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Asap Towing

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Iowa City Auto Sales LLC

USDOT: 1352324
Based in: Iowa City, IA 52240 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (319) 330-1629 Route Verify on FMCSA

Stannard Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 228904
MC: 166228
Based in: Iowa City, IA 52246 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1983

Call (319) 351-1552 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bee'S Transport

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Brendan Daryl Beachy

USDOT: 2821656
MC: 1068797
Based in: Kalona, IA 52247 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (319) 530-1197 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hardy Concierge Services LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4222688
Based in: North Liberty, IA 52317 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (319) 382-0721 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 43 movers in Iowa City

Related routes

Other destinations from South Bend

Other origins to Iowa City

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from South Bend to Iowa City?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,150 to $1,710 for a studio, $1,530 to $2,280 for a one-bedroom, $2,560 to $3,800 for a two-bedroom, $4,090 to $6,080 for a three-bedroom and $5,620 to $8,360 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Iowa City from South Bend?

About 320 road miles (272 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 6 h 13 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 Indiana 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 South Bend to Iowa City?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $480 to $680 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,310 to $1,920. 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 South Bend–Iowa City corridor.