Tempe, AZ → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Tempe to Des Moines

About 1,356 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,370–$7,990, delivery in 3–7 days, 886 carriers on the Tempe side and 191 in Des Moines.

1,356 miroad distance
24 hours (3 driving days)driving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,370–$7,9902-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Tempe, Arizona
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,356 miles (1,149 straight-line)
Drive time: 24 hours (3 driving days)
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 886 (350 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Tempe

Des Moines sits about 1,356 miles northeast of Tempe, which makes this an interstate relocation from Arizona to Iowa that most movers classify as a 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 $5,370 to $7,990 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 24 hours (3 driving days).

On the Tempe side there are 886 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (350 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.

Tempe has a population of about 190,571 and Des Moines about 212,086. Tempe is considerably denser (4,526 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 Arizona, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Tempe to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 1,356 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,150	$2,620	$3,190
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,220	$3,930	$4,790
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,370	$6,550	$7,990
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,590	$10,470	$12,780
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,810	$14,400	$17,570

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,990–$2,810

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

Portable container

$2,230–$3,280

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

Full-service mover

$5,370–$7,990

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Tempe, AZ → 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 Tempe (origin)

Southwest Industrial Rigging

Licensed interstate

Legal name: H K B INC

USDOT: 902604
MC: 162691
Based in: Phoenix, AZ 85041 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 151 trucks, 66 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (602) 256-7161 Route Verify on FMCSA

Shippers Preferred Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1119424
MC: 473382
Based in: Phoenix, AZ 85009 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 112 trucks, 114 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (602) 278-6004 Route Verify on FMCSA

Burst Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3384102
MC: 1087004
Based in: Phoenix, AZ 85034 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 46 trucks, 81 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (480) 306-6447 Route Verify on FMCSA

Air Support INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 294366
MC: 242304
Based in: Phoenix, AZ 85040 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 37 trucks, 47 drivers
USDOT registered: 1987

Call (602) 267-1946 Route Verify on FMCSA

Allegiant Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3162620
MC: 112279
Based in: Gilbert, AZ 85296 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 37 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (602) 805-9061 Route Verify on FMCSA

Go 2 Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1329421
MC: 513718
Based in: Chandler, AZ 85225 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 32 trucks, 32 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (480) 704-4457 Route Verify on FMCSA

Saam Delivers LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3338899
MC: 1067588
Based in: Gilbert, AZ 85295 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 33 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (602) 413-5080 Route Verify on FMCSA

C H Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: C H Trucking LLC

USDOT: 3915387
MC: 1446610
Based in: Mesa, AZ 85202 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (929) 977-8854 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 886 movers in Tempe

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 Tempe

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,150 to $3,190 for a studio, $3,220 to $4,790 for a one-bedroom, $5,370 to $7,990 for a two-bedroom, $8,590 to $12,780 for a three-bedroom and $11,810 to $17,570 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Tempe?

About 1,356 road miles (1,149 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 24 hours (3 driving days).

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 Arizona 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 Tempe to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,990 to $2,810 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,230 to $3,280. 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 Tempe–Des Moines corridor.