Thornton, CO → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Thornton to Des Moines

About 712 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,930–$5,840, delivery in 2–5 days, 718 carriers on the Thornton side and 191 in Des Moines.

712 miroad distance
12 h 59 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,930–$5,8402-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Thornton, Colorado
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 712 miles (604 straight-line)
Drive time: 12 h 59 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 718 (266 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Thornton

Des Moines sits about 712 miles east of Thornton, which makes this an interstate relocation from Colorado 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 $3,930 to $5,840 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 12 h 59 min.

On the Thornton side there are 718 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (266 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.

Thornton has a population of about 147,766 and Des Moines about 212,086. Thornton is considerably denser (3,952 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 Colorado, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Thornton to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 712 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,570	$1,920	$2,340
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,360	$2,870	$3,510
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,930	$4,790	$5,840
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$6,280	$7,660	$9,350
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$8,640	$10,540	$12,860

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,030–$1,460

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

Portable container

$1,660–$2,430

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

Full-service mover

$3,930–$5,840

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Thornton, CO → 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 Thornton (origin)

Navajo Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 202381
MC: 157626
Based in: Denver, CO 80221 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 296 trucks, 303 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (303) 287-3800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Western Distributing Transportation Corp

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Western Distributing Company

USDOT: 145556
MC: 142969
Based in: Denver, CO 80229 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 155 trucks, 162 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (303) 294-3135 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pfc

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Private First Class Worldwide Chauffeured Service LLC

USDOT: 4302538
MC: 1675847
Based in: Denver, CO 80238 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 76 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (720) 427-3226 Route Verify on FMCSA

Denver Intermodal Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 466144
MC: 273706
Based in: Denver, CO 80239 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 68 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (303) 371-1500 Route Verify on FMCSA

Final Mile Fast LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3190181
MC: 135191
Based in: Denver, CO 80221 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 60 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (970) 673-5442 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dracarys Fleet LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3300844
MC: 1047129
Based in: Denver, CO 80221 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 55 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (254) 366-5720 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bear Logistics Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3483705
MC: 1144340
Based in: Denver, CO 80238 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 52 trucks, 96 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (941) 704-3189 Route Verify on FMCSA

Apex Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 652182
MC: 305711
Based in: Henderson, CO 80640 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 51 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 1996

Call (303) 288-2233 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 718 movers in Thornton

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 Thornton

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,570 to $2,340 for a studio, $2,360 to $3,510 for a one-bedroom, $3,930 to $5,840 for a two-bedroom, $6,280 to $9,350 for a three-bedroom and $8,640 to $12,860 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Thornton?

About 712 road miles (604 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 12 h 59 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 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 Colorado 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 Thornton to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,030 to $1,460 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,660 to $2,430. 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 Thornton–Des Moines corridor.