Tampa, FL → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Tampa to Des Moines

About 1,334 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,310–$7,910, delivery in 3–7 days, 1,059 carriers on the Tampa side and 191 in Des Moines.

1,334 miroad distance
23 h 42 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,310–$7,9102-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Tampa, Florida
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,334 miles (1,131 straight-line)
Drive time: 23 h 42 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 1,059 (368 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Tampa

The route from Tampa, FL to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 1,334 miles by road, a northwest-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 $5,310 to $7,910 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 23 h 42 min.

On the Tampa side there are 1,059 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (368 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.

Tampa has a population of about 413,554 and Des Moines about 212,086. Tampa is considerably denser (3,377 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 Florida, 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 Florida, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Tampa to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 1,334 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,130	$2,590	$3,160
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,190	$3,890	$4,740
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,310	$6,480	$7,910
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,500	$10,370	$12,650
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,690	$14,260	$17,400

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,820–$2,570

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

Portable container

$2,210–$3,250

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

Full-service mover

$5,310–$7,910

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Tampa, FL → 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 Tampa (origin)

Pods

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Pods Enterprises LLC

USDOT: 1397252
Based in: Clearwater, FL 33762 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1,324 trucks, 1,100 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (727) 509-6895 Route Verify on FMCSA

Countrywide Logistics

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Countrywide Trucking Corp

USDOT: 1073995
MC: 447175
Based in: Tampa, FL 33610 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 154 trucks, 300 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (813) 944-7775 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ltl

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Lightning Transport And Logistics LLC

USDOT: 2519126
MC: 885234
Based in: Tampa, FL 33602 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 150 trucks, 212 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (813) 444-5144 Route Verify on FMCSA

Smith-Cargo Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 929285
MC: 400706
Based in: Riverview, FL 33578 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 77 trucks, 75 drivers
USDOT registered: 2001

Call (954) 718-5766 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mtc Freight LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2979890
MC: 15958
Based in: Clearwater, FL 33759 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 60 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (727) 202-9293 Route Verify on FMCSA

First Class Moving Systems INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 944759
MC: 405647
Based in: Tampa, FL 33619 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 50 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered: 2001

Call (813) 889-0308 Route Verify on FMCSA

Keynnect Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2845444
MC: 717403
Based in: Tampa, FL 33609 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 40 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (813) 900-9758 Route Verify on FMCSA

Xpoint Transportation

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4336828
MC: 1693955
Based in: Tampa, FL 33612 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 33 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (813) 291-8758 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 1,059 movers in Tampa

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 Tampa

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,130 to $3,160 for a studio, $3,190 to $4,740 for a one-bedroom, $5,310 to $7,910 for a two-bedroom, $8,500 to $12,650 for a three-bedroom and $11,690 to $17,400 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Tampa?

About 1,334 road miles (1,131 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 23 h 42 min.

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 Florida 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 Tampa to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,820 to $2,570 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,210 to $3,250. 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 Tampa–Des Moines corridor.