Moving from Coloradoto Iowa
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Denver and Des Moines it is about 709 miles and 2 days on the road (about 13 hours of driving); the 8 city pairs we price between the two states run from 699 to 845 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Denver to Des Moines, the representative route
Each state is represented by its largest city we cover. The map shows that corridor; the table further down prices every city pair between Colorado and Iowa.
Cost of moving from Colorado to Iowa
At about 709 miles, full-service movers should land around $3,191 – $4,254 for a two-bedroom home and $3,669 – $4,892 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $2,297 – $3,063; a freight trailer is $1,531 – $2,042.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,393 – $3,191 | $1,723 – $2,297 | $1,149 – $1,531 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,871 – $3,829 | $2,067 – $2,757 | $1,378 – $1,838 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,191 – $4,254 | $2,297 – $3,063 | $1,531 – $2,042 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,669 – $4,892 | $2,642 – $3,522 | $1,761 – $2,348 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,148 – $5,530 | $2,986 – $3,982 | $1,991 – $2,654 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,786 – $6,381 | $3,446 – $4,594 | $2,297 – $3,063 |
Transport only, for an estimated 709 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.
City-to-city routes from Colorado to Iowa
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 4 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins to Des Moines | ~699 mi | 3–7 days | $3,146 – $4,194 | $3,617 – $4,823 |
| Aurora to Des Moines | ~703 mi | 3–7 days | $3,164 – $4,218 | $3,638 – $4,851 |
| Denver to Des Moines | ~709 mi | 3–7 days | $3,191 – $4,254 | $3,669 – $4,892 |
| Colorado Springs to Des Moines | ~723 mi | 3–7 days | $3,254 – $4,338 | $3,742 – $4,989 |
| Fort Collins to Cedar Rapids | ~818 mi | 3–7 days | $3,681 – $4,908 | $4,233 – $5,644 |
| Aurora to Cedar Rapids | ~824 mi | 3–7 days | $3,708 – $4,944 | $4,264 – $5,686 |
| Denver to Cedar Rapids | ~830 mi | 3–7 days | $3,735 – $4,980 | $4,295 – $5,727 |
| Colorado Springs to Cedar Rapids | ~845 mi | 3–7 days | $3,803 – $5,070 | $4,373 – $5,830 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
What the interstate rules give you
A licensed carrier. Active interstate operating authority (an MC number) and a USDOT number, both checkable on the FMCSA register. A company that offers neither is a broker at best.
A written estimate before loading. Binding fixes the price for the listed inventory; non-binding follows the weighed shipment. The carrier cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, with the balance billed within 30 days. Ask for binding not-to-exceed by name, after a survey.
Valuation. Released-value protection is included at 60 cents per pound per item; full-value protection is the upgrade worth buying for 709 miles of handling.
A delivery window, in writing. If it is on the bill of lading, missing it entitles you to delay costs. If it is not, it entitles you to an apology.
Interstate movers based in Colorado
503 household-goods carriers in Colorado are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Pikes Peak Moving & Storage Llc, Colorado Sprgs · USDOT 44799 · 87 trucks
- Buehler Companies Alliance Relocation & Student Movers, Aurora · USDOT 1353870 · 38 trucks
- Mesa Moving & Storage, Grand Junction · USDOT 2251528 · 31 trucks
- All My Sons Moving & Storage Of Denver Llc, Denver · USDOT 900253 · 27 trucks
- Exodus Moving Storage Inc, Johnstown · USDOT 675502 · 27 trucks
At the Iowa end
119 household-goods carriers are based in Iowa — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Des Moines runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $3,191 – $4,254 | $3,989 – $5,318 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,669 – $4,892 | $4,586 – $6,115 |
Transit is 3 to 7 days. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer. Trailers on this corridor fill faster in summer, but crews and trucks are stretched, so windows get wider, not shorter.
Other moves from Colorado
Colorado to Iowa moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Colorado to Iowa?
Between the two states' main cities, Denver and Des Moines, the distance is about 709 miles. From our model that is $3,191 – $4,254 for a two-bedroom home and $3,669 – $4,892 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $2,297 – $3,063 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $1,531 – $2,042. Across the 8 city pairs we price between Colorado and Iowa, distances run from 699 to 845 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Colorado to Iowa take?
Denver to Des Moines is 2 days on the road (about 13 hours of driving). The move itself typically takes 3 to 7 days, because at this distance it usually travels on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Colorado to Iowa?
Yes. Any move that crosses from Colorado into Iowa is regulated by the FMCSA, and the carrier must hold active interstate operating authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. Check both on the FMCSA register before you sign. Interstate carriers must give you a written estimate, the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, and access to an arbitration programme, and cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate before releasing your goods.
What is the cheapest way to move from Colorado to Iowa?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $1,531 – $2,042 for a two-bedroom home over 709 miles against $3,191 – $4,254 with full-service movers. A container splits the difference and gives you days to load. On any of them, moving between October and April, mid-month and mid-week, is worth another 20 to 30 percent — a peak-season date puts the three-bedroom figure at $4,586 – $6,115 rather than $3,669 – $4,892.