Des Moines, IA

Wilmington, DE → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Wilmington to Des Moines

About 1,126 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,840–$7,200, delivery in 3–7 days, 315 carriers on the Wilmington side and 191 in Des Moines.

  • 1,126 miroad distance
  • 20 h 7 mindriving time
  • 3–7 daysdelivery window
  • $4,840–$7,2002-bedroom estimate
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY 2.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 1,126 miles (954 straight-line)
Drive time
20 h 7 min
Delivery window
3–7 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
315 (214 interstate)
Movers at destination
191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Wilmington

The route from Wilmington, DE to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 1,126 miles by road, a west-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 $4,840 to $7,200 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 20 h 7 min.

On the Wilmington side there are 315 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (214 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.

Wilmington has a population of about 71,000 and Des Moines about 212,086. Wilmington is considerably denser (6,507 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 Delaware, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Wilmington to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 1,126 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,930 $2,360 $2,880
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $2,900 $3,540 $4,320
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $4,840 $5,900 $7,200
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $7,740 $9,440 $11,510
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $10,640 $12,980 $15,830

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,610–$2,270

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

Portable container

$2,020–$2,980

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

Full-service mover

$4,840–$7,200

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Wilmington, DE → 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 Wilmington (origin)

Bentley Truck Services INC

Interstate carrier
USDOT
524125
Based in
Logan Twp, NJ 08085 (11 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1,467 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
1993

A Duie Pyle INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
113594
MC
39140
Based in
West Chester, PA 19382 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
2,097 trucks, 2,200 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Erdner Bros INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
85873
MC
128698
Based in
Woolwich Twp, NJ 08085 (11 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
37 trucks, 37 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Mdd3 Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3309299
MC
1050934
Based in
Newark, DE 19702 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
30 trucks, 70 drivers
USDOT registered
2019

Wb Adams Trucking LLC

Interstate carrier
USDOT
3395310
Based in
New Castle, DE 19720 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
25 trucks, 80 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

Duplicate Of 777773

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
959283
MC
522860
Based in
Media, PA 19063 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
23 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered
2001

Dreamchasers Community Services

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4526415
MC
1794163
Based in
Woodstown, NJ 08098 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
20 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered
2026

College Hunks Hauling Junk

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2251093
MC
1484775
Based in
West Chester, PA 19382 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
19 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered
2011

All 315 movers in Wilmington

Near Des Moines (destination)

Dhl Freight

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
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

Jacobson Warehouse Co

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
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

Ntb

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
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

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

Arona Home Essentials

Licensed interstate
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

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

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

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

All 191 movers in Des Moines

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,930 to $2,880 for a studio, $2,900 to $4,320 for a one-bedroom, $4,840 to $7,200 for a two-bedroom, $7,740 to $11,510 for a three-bedroom and $10,640 to $15,830 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Wilmington?

About 1,126 road miles (954 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 20 h 7 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 Delaware 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 Wilmington to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,610 to $2,270 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,020 to $2,980. 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 Wilmington–Des Moines corridor.