Moving from Des Moines, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
About 122 miles inside Iowa. Past the 100-mile local band movers price on distance and weight, but because the truck never crosses a state line the move is regulated by Iowa, not by the federal FMCSA. That changes which licence to check and which estimate rules protect you.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers about 122 miles and is a move within Iowa. Full-service movers cost $549 – $732 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 349 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 122 miles, about 2 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $549 – $732. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Within Iowa
- Driving
- about 2 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $450 – $600 | $315 – $420 | $225 – $300 |
| 1 bedroom | $494 – $659 | $356 – $474 | $237 – $316 |
| 2 bedrooms | $549 – $732 | $395 – $527 | $264 – $351 |
| 3 bedrooms | $631 – $842 | $455 – $606 | $303 – $404 |
| 4 bedrooms | $714 – $952 | $514 – $685 | $343 – $457 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $824 – $1,098 | $593 – $791 | $395 – $527 |
Transport only, for an estimated 122 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, Des Moines to Cedar Rapids
122 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $610. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $549 to $732, 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 Des Moines to Cedar Rapids
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 349 people a year (±168) moved from Polk County, IA, home to Des Moines, to Linn County, IA, home to Cedar Rapids. Going the other way: about 662 people a year (±248). Movers from Polk County make up 2.9% of the 12,000 people a year who moved into Linn County from another county or state.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Dallas County, IA | 4,388 ±856 |
| Warren County, IA | 1,961 ±665 |
| Story County, IA | 1,914 ±373 |
| Johnson County, IA | 859 ±254 |
| Black Hawk County, IA | 695 ±375 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Johnson County, IA | 1,522 ±429 |
| Black Hawk County, IA | 670 ±369 |
| Benton County, IA | 576 ±319 |
| Scott County, IA | 407 ±296 |
| Cook County, IL | 370 ±151 |
Licensed movers at each end
33 household-goods carriers are based within 30 miles of Des Moines. 10 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.7% of their 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lint Van Lines IncUSDOT 543541 | Des Moines · 5 mi | 27 trucks | 1 | — |
| The Affordable MoversUSDOT 2014543 | West Des Moines · 10 mi | 6 trucks | 1 | — |
| Duplicate- You First MovingUSDOT 3253628 | Urbandale · 7 mi | 5 trucks | 0 | — |
| Iowa Movers LLCUSDOT 3596478 | Clive · 9 mi | 5 trucks | 0 | — |
| All Types MovingUSDOT 4328928 | Clive · 9 mi | 4 trucks | 3 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Blue Cow Moving and StorageUSDOT 3833578 | Ankeny · 10 mi | 4 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Cedar Rapids end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Cedar Rapids: Adamantine Spine Moving (Iowa City, 37 trucks), Maher Bros Transfer and Storage Inc (Cedar Rapids, 32 trucks), Two Men and A Truck (Cedar Rapids, 21 trucks), Hawkeye Moving & Storage Inc (North Liberty, 13 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Both ends are in Iowa, so Iowa rather than the FMCSA regulates the move: ask the mover which Iowa licence or registration it holds and check it with the state. The federal 110% cap on non-binding estimates does not reach a move inside Iowa, so your protection on this 122-mile job is the estimate you sign; ask for it binding or not-to-exceed. More in binding vs non-binding estimates.
Before you book Des Moines to Cedar Rapids
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 122 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
Arriving in Cedar Rapids
A local move inside Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids are Des Moines (about 122 mi), Madison (about 162 mi), Peoria (about 163 mi).
Other routes from Des Moines
All routes from Des Moines, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines to Omaha, NE | ~142 mi | $639 – $852 |
| Des Moines to Lincoln, NE | ~197 mi | $887 – $1,182 |
| Des Moines to Overland Park, KS | ~220 mi | $990 – $1,320 |
| Des Moines to Sioux Falls, SD | ~243 mi | $1,094 – $1,458 |
| Des Moines to Minneapolis, MN | ~274 mi | $1,233 – $1,644 |
| Des Moines to Chicago, IL | ~361 mi | $1,625 – $2,166 |
| Des Moines to Greenville, SC | ~893 mi | $4,019 – $5,358 |
| Des Moines to Orlando, FL | ~1,322 mi | $5,949 – $7,932 |
Also moving to Cedar Rapids: from Madison, WI.
Des Moines to Cedar Rapids moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 122 miles cost about $450 – $600 for a studio, $549 – $732 for a two-bedroom home and $631 – $842 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids take?
The drive is about 2 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $264 – $351 for a two-bedroom home, against $549 – $732 with full-service movers; a moving container is $395 – $527.
Is Des Moines to Cedar Rapids an interstate move?
No. Both cities are in Iowa, so the move is regulated by Iowa rather than by the federal FMCSA. The carrier needs a USDOT number and whatever Iowa requires of household-goods movers; interstate authority (an MC number) is not required for this job. The federal 110% rule on non-binding estimates does not apply either, which is a good reason to ask for a binding estimate.
How many people move from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 349 people a year (margin of error ±168) moved from Polk County, which contains Des Moines, to Linn County, which contains Cedar Rapids.
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.