Moving from Iowa to Arizona
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Des Moines and Phoenix it is about 1,345 miles and 3 days on the road (about 24 hours of driving); the 14 city pairs we price between the two states run from 1,333 to 1,465 miles.
Prices from our published model (last updated ), not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. Carriers: FMCSA Motor Carrier Census, snapshot 2026-09-24. We do not move anyone.
- ~1,345 miDes Moines → Phoenix
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $6,053+2-bedroom, movers
- 14City routes priced
In short
About 4,596 people moved from Iowa to Arizona in 2024 (Census estimate, ±2,154), and about 2,187 went the other way. Between Des Moines and Phoenix it is about 1,345 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $6,053 – $8,070 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 58 movers based in Iowa hold interstate authority.
Who moves from Iowa to Arizona
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 4,596 people a year (±2,154), against about 2,187 (±942) from Arizona to Iowa, so Arizona gains about 2,409 people a year on this exchange. Iowa is the 18th-largest of the 49 states sending people to Arizona; Arizona took in about 234,819 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Scott County | Maricopa County | 290 ±143 |
| Linn County | Maricopa County | 247 ±172 |
| Johnson County | Maricopa County | 229 ±186 |
| Story County | Maricopa County | 216 ±139 |
| Polk County | Maricopa County | 178 ±78 |
US Census Bureau: ACS 2024 state-to-state migration and ACS 2016–2020 county-to-county flows; people a year with a 90% margin of error. County names link to their cost guides.
Des Moines to Phoenix, 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 Iowa and Arizona.
Cost of moving from Iowa to Arizona
At about 1,345 miles, full-service movers should land around $6,053 – $8,070 for a two-bedroom home and $6,960 – $9,280 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $4,358 – $5,810; a freight trailer is $2,905 – $3,874.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $4,539 – $6,053 | $3,268 – $4,358 | $2,179 – $2,905 |
| 1 bedroom | $5,447 – $7,263 | $3,922 – $5,229 | $2,615 – $3,486 |
| 2 bedrooms | $6,053 – $8,070 | $4,358 – $5,810 | $2,905 – $3,874 |
| 3 bedrooms | $6,960 – $9,280 | $5,011 – $6,682 | $3,341 – $4,455 |
| 4 bedrooms | $7,868 – $10,491 | $5,665 – $7,554 | $3,777 – $5,036 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $9,079 – $12,105 | $6,537 – $8,716 | $4,358 – $5,810 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,345 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 Iowa to Arizona
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 1 has a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines to Gilbert | ~1,333 mi | 7–14 days | $5,999 – $7,998 | $6,898 – $9,198 |
| Des Moines to Mesa | ~1,333 mi | 7–14 days | $5,999 – $7,998 | $6,898 – $9,198 |
| Des Moines to Scottsdale | ~1,335 mi | 7–14 days | $6,008 – $8,010 | $6,909 – $9,211 |
| Des Moines to Chandler | ~1,340 mi | 7–14 days | $6,030 – $8,040 | $6,934 – $9,246 |
| Des Moines to Tempe | ~1,340 mi | 7–14 days | $6,030 – $8,040 | $6,934 – $9,246 |
| Des Moines to Tucson | ~1,344 mi | 7–14 days | $6,048 – $8,064 | $6,955 – $9,274 |
| Des Moines to Phoenix | ~1,345 mi | 7–14 days | $6,053 – $8,070 | $6,960 – $9,280 |
| Cedar Rapids to Gilbert | ~1,453 mi | 7–14 days | $6,539 – $8,718 | $7,519 – $10,026 |
| Cedar Rapids to Mesa | ~1,453 mi | 7–14 days | $6,539 – $8,718 | $7,519 – $10,026 |
| Cedar Rapids to Scottsdale | ~1,455 mi | 7–14 days | $6,548 – $8,730 | $7,530 – $10,039 |
| Cedar Rapids to Tempe | ~1,460 mi | 7–14 days | $6,570 – $8,760 | $7,555 – $10,074 |
| Cedar Rapids to Chandler | ~1,461 mi | 7–14 days | $6,575 – $8,766 | $7,561 – $10,081 |
| Cedar Rapids to Tucson | ~1,463 mi | 7–14 days | $6,584 – $8,778 | $7,571 – $10,095 |
| Cedar Rapids to Phoenix | ~1,465 mi | 7–14 days | $6,593 – $8,790 | $7,581 – $10,108 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in Iowa
35 of the 58 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 540 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 64 of 257 vehicle inspections (24.9%), above the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 26 of 538 driver inspections (4.8%, against 13.0%). None has an acute or critical violation from an FMCSA investigation in the past 12 months.
| Carrier | Inspections | Vehicle out of service | Driver out of service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucker Freight Lines IncDubuque, IA · USDOT 1674 | 328 | 46 of 155 | 3 of 328 |
| Boost Express Van Lines IncDavenport, IA · USDOT 2453637 | 32 | 7 of 14 | 3 of 32 |
| Mihm Transfer IncFort Atkinson, IA · USDOT 2170310 | 24 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 24 |
| C & K Transfer LLCGrinnell, IA · USDOT 206 | 21 | 1 of 5 | 1 of 21 |
| Maher Bros Transfer and Storage IncCedar Rapids, IA · USDOT 87390 | 19 | 0 of 9 | 2 of 19 |
| Dubuque Moving & Storage IncDubuque, IA · USDOT 1071770 | 18 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 18 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
119 listed household-goods carriers are based in Iowa, 58 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the Iowa directory ranks them. At the Arizona end, 366 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in Arizona, moving costs in Arizona, or the reverse trip, Arizona to Iowa. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from Iowa
Iowa to Arizona moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Iowa to Arizona?
Between the two states' main cities, Des Moines and Phoenix, the distance is about 1,345 miles. From our model that is $6,053 – $8,070 for a two-bedroom home and $6,960 – $9,280 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $4,358 – $5,810 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $2,905 – $3,874. Across the 14 city pairs we price between Iowa and Arizona, distances run from 1,333 to 1,465 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Iowa to Arizona take?
Des Moines to Phoenix is 3 days on the road (about 24 hours of driving). The move itself typically takes 7 to 14 days, because at this distance it usually travels on a consolidated load sharing trailer space with other households. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Iowa to Arizona?
Yes. A move from Iowa into Arizona is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 119 listed movers based in Iowa, 58 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within Iowa.
What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Arizona?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $2,905 – $3,874 for a two-bedroom home over 1,345 miles against $6,053 – $8,070 with full-service movers. A container, about $4,358 – $5,810, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from Iowa to Arizona each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 4,596 people (±2,154) moved from Iowa to Arizona that year, against about 2,187 (±942) from Arizona to Iowa. That makes Iowa the 18th-largest source of new residents for Arizona among the states.