St. Louis, MO → Des Moines, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from St. Louis to Des Moines

About 318 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,550–$3,790, delivery in 1–3 days, 645 carriers on the St. Louis side and 191 in Des Moines.

318 miroad distance
6 h 11 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,550–$3,7902-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: St. Louis, Missouri
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 318 miles (270 straight-line)
Drive time: 6 h 11 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 645 (464 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → St. Louis

The route from St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 318 miles by road, a northwest-bound trip that falls into the regional 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 $2,550 to $3,790 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 11 min.

On the St. Louis side there are 645 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (464 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.

St. Louis has a population of about 278,144 and Des Moines about 212,086. St. Louis is considerably denser (4,888 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.

Cost of moving from St. Louis to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 318 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	$1,860	$2,280
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,550	$3,110	$3,790
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,080	$4,970	$6,070
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,610	$6,840	$8,340

Rental truck (DIY)

$480–$670

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

Portable container

$1,300–$1,920

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

Full-service mover

$2,550–$3,790

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for St. Louis, MO → 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 St. Louis (origin)

Tts Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1808215
MC: 657151
Based in: Hazelwood, MO 63042 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 426 trucks, 426 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (314) 714-3400 Route Verify on FMCSA

Itf Group LLC

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Itf LLC

USDOT: 2096411
MC: 731267
Based in: Hazelwood, MO 63042 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 439 trucks, 152 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (314) 695-5009 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hogan Transports

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Hogan Dedicated Services LLC

USDOT: 1137660
MC: 458854
Based in: Bridgeton, MO 63044 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 1,581 trucks, 1,758 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (314) 813-2777 Route Verify on FMCSA

United Van Lines

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: United Van Lines LLC

USDOT: 77949
MC: 67234
Based in: Fenton, MO 63026 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 4,731 trucks, 3,424 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (636) 305-5000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Aero Mayflower Transit Company

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Mayflower Transit LLC

USDOT: 125563
Based in: Fenton, MO 63026 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 769 trucks, 1,472 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (636) 305-5000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hoffmann Brothers

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4305016
MC: 1677181
Based in: Saint Louis, MO 63144 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 292 trucks, 292 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (314) 281-5115 Route Verify on FMCSA

Trekker

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Trekker Logistics LLC

USDOT: 146458
MC: 146209
Based in: Caseyville, IL 62232 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 200 trucks, 170 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (618) 623-0057 Route Verify on FMCSA

Aa Express & Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1507798
MC: 565492
Based in: Saint Louis, MO 63147 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 157 trucks, 157 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (314) 544-7475 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 645 movers in St. Louis

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

Tips for this move

Ask whether the carrier will use one truck end to end or transfer your goods at a terminal.
Weigh the cost of full-value protection against the released-value default of 60 cents per pound.
Book four to six weeks out for summer dates on the St. Louis–Des Moines corridor.
Photograph high-value items before loading and keep the inventory sheet the crew gives you.

Near St. Louis

Near Des Moines

Related routes

Other destinations from St. Louis

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from St. Louis to Des Moines?

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, $2,550 to $3,790 for a two-bedroom, $4,080 to $6,070 for a three-bedroom and $5,610 to $8,340 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from St. Louis?

About 318 road miles (270 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 6 h 11 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 Missouri 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 St. Louis to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $480 to $670 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,300 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 St. Louis–Des Moines corridor.