Moving from Des Moines, IA to Lincoln, NE
About 197 miles across a state line, from Iowa into Nebraska, 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 Des Moines, IA to Lincoln, NE covers about 197 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $887 – $1,182 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 108 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 197 miles, about 4 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 $887 – $1,182. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 4 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Des Moines to Lincoln
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $665 – $887 | $479 – $638 | $319 – $426 |
| 1 bedroom | $798 – $1,064 | $574 – $766 | $383 – $511 |
| 2 bedrooms | $887 – $1,182 | $638 – $851 | $426 – $567 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,019 – $1,359 | $734 – $979 | $489 – $652 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,152 – $1,537 | $830 – $1,106 | $553 – $738 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,330 – $1,773 | $957 – $1,277 | $638 – $851 |
Transport only, for an estimated 197 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 Lincoln
197 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $985. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $887 to $1,182, 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 Lincoln
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 108 people a year (±103) moved from Polk County, IA, home to Des Moines, to Lancaster County, NE, home to Lincoln. Going the other way: about 38 people a year (±36). Movers from Polk County make up 0.5% of the 23,028 people a year who moved into Lancaster County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 6,626 people a year (±1,928) moving from Iowa to Nebraska and about 4,800 people a year (±1,250) from Nebraska to Iowa — a net gain for Nebraska of about 1,826 people a year.
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Douglas County, NE | 3,870 ±713 |
| Hall County, NE | 1,339 ±454 |
| Seward County, NE | 931 ±1,040 |
| Sarpy County, NE | 906 ±273 |
| Saunders County, NE | 566 ±297 |
Licensed movers at each end
11 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Des Moines (33 counting those licensed only inside Iowa). 5 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 0.0% of their 3 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 | — |
| Duplicate- You First MovingUSDOT 3253628 | Urbandale · 7 mi | 5 trucks | 0 | — |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of Des Moines LLCUSDOT 3528959 | Des Moines · 5 mi | 3 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| All Mighty Movers LLCUSDOT 2468266 | Des Moines · 1 mi | 2 trucks | 1 | — |
| Dedicated Movers of Iowa LLCUSDOT 4536957 | Des Moines · 4 mi | 2 trucks | 0 | — |
| Combined Relocation Services LLCUSDOT 1666941 | Huxley · 21 mi | 2 trucks | 0 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the Lincoln end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Lincoln: Black Belt Movers (Lincoln, 9 trucks), Lincoln Moving Services (Lincoln, 7 trucks), Heartland Moving (Lincoln, 7 trucks), Chets Transfer Inc (Lincoln, 6 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Iowa into Nebraska, 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 Des Moines to Lincoln
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 197 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 Lincoln
A local move inside Lincoln later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $505 – $817 for a two-bedroom home and $849 – $1,506 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Lincoln are Omaha (about 59 mi), Kansas City (about 188 mi), Kansas City (about 190 mi).
Other routes from Des Moines
All routes from Des Moines, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines to Cedar Rapids, IA | ~122 mi | $549 – $732 |
| Des Moines to Omaha, NE | ~142 mi | $639 – $852 |
| 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 Lincoln: from Omaha, NE, from Kansas City, MO, from Sioux Falls, SD.
Des Moines to Lincoln moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Lincoln?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 197 miles cost about $665 – $887 for a studio, $887 – $1,182 for a two-bedroom home and $1,019 – $1,359 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Lincoln take?
The drive is about 4 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 Lincoln?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $426 – $567 for a two-bedroom home, against $887 – $1,182 with full-service movers; a moving container is $638 – $851.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Des Moines to Lincoln?
Yes. Des Moines is in Iowa and Lincoln is in Nebraska, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 11 listed movers within 30 miles of Des Moines hold it.
How many people move from Des Moines to Lincoln each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 108 people a year (margin of error ±103) moved from Polk County, which contains Des Moines, to Lancaster County, which contains Lincoln.
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.