Moving from Iowa to Nebraska
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Des Moines and Omaha it is about 142 miles and about 3 hours; the 4 city pairs we price between the two states run from 142 to 319 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.
- ~142 miDes Moines → Omaha
- 1–3 daysTypical transit
- $639+2-bedroom, movers
- 4City routes priced
In short
About 6,626 people moved from Iowa to Nebraska in 2024 (Census estimate, ±1,928), and about 4,800 went the other way. Between Des Moines and Omaha it is about 142 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $639 – $852 in our model, delivered in 1–3 days. 58 movers based in Iowa hold interstate authority.
Who moves from Iowa to Nebraska
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 6,626 people a year (±1,928), against about 4,800 (±1,250) from Nebraska to Iowa, so Nebraska gains about 1,826 people a year on this exchange. Iowa sends more people to Nebraska than any other state; Nebraska took in about 49,446 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Pottawattamie County | Douglas County | 1,544 ±512 |
| Pottawattamie County | Sarpy County | 618 ±232 |
| Woodbury County | Douglas County | 478 ±224 |
| Polk County | Douglas County | 303 ±156 |
| Johnson County | Douglas County | 161 ±86 |
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 Omaha, 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 Nebraska.
Cost of moving from Iowa to Nebraska
At about 142 miles, full-service movers should land around $639 – $852 for a two-bedroom home and $735 – $980 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $460 – $613; a freight trailer is $307 – $409.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $479 – $639 | $345 – $460 | $230 – $307 |
| 1 bedroom | $575 – $767 | $414 – $552 | $276 – $368 |
| 2 bedrooms | $639 – $852 | $460 – $613 | $307 – $409 |
| 3 bedrooms | $735 – $980 | $529 – $705 | $353 – $470 |
| 4 bedrooms | $831 – $1,108 | $598 – $797 | $399 – $532 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $959 – $1,278 | $690 – $920 | $460 – $613 |
Transport only, for an estimated 142 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 Nebraska
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 2 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines to Omaha | ~142 mi | 1–3 days | $639 – $852 | $735 – $980 |
| Des Moines to Lincoln | ~197 mi | 1–3 days | $887 – $1,182 | $1,019 – $1,359 |
| Cedar Rapids to Omaha | ~263 mi | 1–3 days | $1,184 – $1,578 | $1,361 – $1,815 |
| Cedar Rapids to Lincoln | ~319 mi | 1–3 days | $1,436 – $1,914 | $1,651 – $2,201 |
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 Nebraska end, 73 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in Nebraska, moving costs in Nebraska, or the reverse trip, Nebraska 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 Nebraska moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Iowa to Nebraska?
Between the two states' main cities, Des Moines and Omaha, the distance is about 142 miles. From our model that is $639 – $852 for a two-bedroom home and $735 – $980 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $460 – $613 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $307 – $409. Across the 4 city pairs we price between Iowa and Nebraska, distances run from 142 to 319 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Iowa to Nebraska take?
Des Moines to Omaha is about 3 hours. The move itself typically takes 1 to 3 days, because at this distance it usually travels on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Iowa to Nebraska?
Yes. A move from Iowa into Nebraska 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 Nebraska?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $307 – $409 for a two-bedroom home over 142 miles against $639 – $852 with full-service movers. A container, about $460 – $613, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from Iowa to Nebraska each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 6,626 people (±1,928) moved from Iowa to Nebraska that year, against about 4,800 (±1,250) from Nebraska to Iowa. No other state sends more people to Nebraska.