Moving from Aurora, CO to Des Moines, IA
About 703 miles across a state line, from Colorado into Iowa, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Aurora, CO to Des Moines, IA covers about 703 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,164 – $4,218 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 114 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 703 miles between Colorado and Iowa, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $3,164 – $4,218 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 13 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Aurora to Des Moines
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,373 – $3,164 | $1,708 – $2,278 | $1,139 – $1,518 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,847 – $3,796 | $2,050 – $2,733 | $1,367 – $1,822 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,164 – $4,218 | $2,278 – $3,037 | $1,518 – $2,025 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,638 – $4,851 | $2,619 – $3,493 | $1,746 – $2,328 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,113 – $5,483 | $2,961 – $3,948 | $1,974 – $2,632 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,745 – $6,327 | $3,417 – $4,555 | $2,278 – $3,037 |
Transport only, for an estimated 703 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Aurora to Des Moines
703 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,515. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,164 to $4,218, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Aurora to Des Moines
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 114 people a year (±102) moved from Arapahoe County, CO, home to Aurora, to Polk County, IA, home to Des Moines. Going the other way: about 26 people a year (±38). Movers from Arapahoe County make up 0.4% of the 25,352 people a year who moved into Polk County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 2,866 people a year (±1,605) moving from Colorado to Iowa and about 2,142 people a year (±911) from Iowa to Colorado — a net gain for Iowa of about 724 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Denver County, CO | 14,135 ±1,426 |
| Adams County, CO | 7,382 ±1,340 |
| Douglas County, CO | 4,947 ±867 |
| Jefferson County, CO | 3,563 ±529 |
| El Paso County, CO | 2,419 ±626 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Dallas County, IA | 2,686 ±651 |
| Story County, IA | 2,109 ±459 |
| Warren County, IA | 1,438 ±390 |
| Black Hawk County, IA | 914 ±314 |
| Boone County, IA | 691 ±258 |
Licensed movers at each end
80 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Aurora (313 counting those licensed only inside Colorado). 36 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 19.6% of their 92 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buehler Companies Alliance Relocation & Student MoversUSDOT 1353870 | Aurora · 4 mi | 38 trucks | 12 | 33.3% of 6 |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of Denver LLCUSDOT 900253 | Denver · 4 mi | 27 trucks | 22 | 6.7% of 15 |
| Amazing Moves Moving & StorageUSDOT 1187573 | Denver · 3 mi | 20 trucks | 5 | 33.3% of 3 |
| Johnson Storage & Moving CoUSDOT 627773 | Centennial · 12 mi | 20 trucks | 6 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Johnson Storage & Moving Co - Missouri LLCUSDOT 120303 | Centennial · 12 mi | 15 trucks | 2 | — |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of BoulderUSDOT 2629937 | Broomfield · 17 mi | 13 trucks | 4 | 50.0% of 2 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Des Moines end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Des Moines: Lint Van Lines Inc (Des Moines, 27 trucks), The Affordable Movers (West Des Moines, 6 trucks), Duplicate- You First Moving (Urbandale, 5 trucks), Iowa Movers LLC (Clive, 5 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Colorado into Iowa, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Aurora to Des Moines
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 703 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Des Moines
A local move inside Des Moines later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $505 – $831 for a two-bedroom home and $849 – $1,533 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Des Moines are Cedar Rapids (about 122 mi), Omaha (about 142 mi), Lincoln (about 197 mi).
Other routes from Aurora
All routes from Aurora, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora to Denver, CO | ~7 mi | $525 – $859 |
| Aurora to Fort Collins, CO | ~66 mi | $525 – $859 |
| Aurora to Colorado Springs, CO | ~73 mi | $525 – $859 |
| Aurora to Albuquerque, NM | ~392 mi | $1,764 – $2,352 |
| Aurora to Wichita, KS | ~501 mi | $2,255 – $3,006 |
| Aurora to Oklahoma City, OK | ~582 mi | $2,619 – $3,492 |
| Aurora to Tulsa, OK | ~633 mi | $2,849 – $3,798 |
| Aurora to Phoenix, AZ | ~688 mi | $3,096 – $4,128 |
Also moving to Des Moines: from Cedar Rapids, IA, from Omaha, NE, from Kansas City, MO, from Overland Park, KS.
Aurora to Des Moines moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Aurora to Des Moines?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 703 miles cost about $2,373 – $3,164 for a studio, $3,164 – $4,218 for a two-bedroom home and $3,638 – $4,851 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Aurora to Des Moines take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 13 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Aurora to Des Moines?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,518 – $2,025 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,164 – $4,218 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,278 – $3,037.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Aurora to Des Moines?
Yes. Aurora is in Colorado and Des Moines is in Iowa, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 80 listed movers within 30 miles of Aurora hold it.
How many people move from Aurora to Des Moines each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 114 people a year (margin of error ±102) moved from Arapahoe County, which contains Aurora, to Polk County, which contains Des Moines.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.