Moving from Iowato Texas
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Des Moines and Houston it is about 960 miles and 2 days on the road (about 17 hours of driving); the 32 city pairs we price between the two states run from 703 to 1,342 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Des Moines to Houston, 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 Texas.
Cost of moving from Iowa to Texas
At about 960 miles, full-service movers should land around $4,320 – $5,760 for a two-bedroom home and $4,968 – $6,624 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $3,110 – $4,147; a freight trailer is $2,074 – $2,765.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,240 – $4,320 | $2,333 – $3,110 | $1,555 – $2,074 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,888 – $5,184 | $2,799 – $3,732 | $1,866 – $2,488 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,320 – $5,760 | $3,110 – $4,147 | $2,074 – $2,765 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,968 – $6,624 | $3,577 – $4,769 | $2,385 – $3,180 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,616 – $7,488 | $4,044 – $5,391 | $2,696 – $3,594 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,480 – $8,640 | $4,666 – $6,221 | $3,110 – $4,147 |
Transport only, for an estimated 960 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 Texas
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 15 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines to McKinney | ~703 mi | 3–7 days | $3,164 – $4,218 | $3,638 – $4,851 |
| Des Moines to Plano | ~716 mi | 3–7 days | $3,222 – $4,296 | $3,705 – $4,940 |
| Des Moines to Garland | ~725 mi | 3–7 days | $3,263 – $4,350 | $3,752 – $5,002 |
| Des Moines to Amarillo | ~730 mi | 3–7 days | $3,285 – $4,380 | $3,778 – $5,037 |
| Des Moines to Irving | ~735 mi | 3–7 days | $3,308 – $4,410 | $3,804 – $5,071 |
| Des Moines to Dallas | ~738 mi | 3–7 days | $3,321 – $4,428 | $3,819 – $5,092 |
| Des Moines to Arlington | ~747 mi | 3–7 days | $3,362 – $4,482 | $3,866 – $5,154 |
| Des Moines to Fort Worth | ~750 mi | 3–7 days | $3,375 – $4,500 | $3,881 – $5,175 |
| Cedar Rapids to McKinney | ~775 mi | 3–7 days | $3,488 – $4,650 | $4,011 – $5,347 |
| Cedar Rapids to Plano | ~788 mi | 3–7 days | $3,546 – $4,728 | $4,078 – $5,437 |
| Cedar Rapids to Garland | ~796 mi | 3–7 days | $3,582 – $4,776 | $4,119 – $5,492 |
| Cedar Rapids to Irving | ~809 mi | 3–7 days | $3,641 – $4,854 | $4,187 – $5,582 |
| Cedar Rapids to Dallas | ~810 mi | 3–7 days | $3,645 – $4,860 | $4,192 – $5,589 |
| Cedar Rapids to Arlington | ~821 mi | 3–7 days | $3,695 – $4,926 | $4,249 – $5,665 |
| Cedar Rapids to Fort Worth | ~826 mi | 3–7 days | $3,717 – $4,956 | $4,275 – $5,699 |
| Des Moines to Lubbock | ~834 mi | 3–7 days | $3,753 – $5,004 | $4,316 – $5,755 |
| Cedar Rapids to Amarillo | ~840 mi | 3–7 days | $3,780 – $5,040 | $4,347 – $5,796 |
| Cedar Rapids to Lubbock | ~938 mi | 3–7 days | $4,221 – $5,628 | $4,854 – $6,472 |
| Des Moines to Austin | ~950 mi | 3–7 days | $4,275 – $5,700 | $4,916 – $6,555 |
| Des Moines to Houston | ~960 mi | 3–7 days | $4,320 – $5,760 | $4,968 – $6,624 |
| Cedar Rapids to Houston | ~1,013 mi | 3–7 days | $4,559 – $6,078 | $5,242 – $6,990 |
| Cedar Rapids to Austin | ~1,022 mi | 3–7 days | $4,599 – $6,132 | $5,289 – $7,052 |
| Des Moines to San Antonio | ~1,030 mi | 3–7 days | $4,635 – $6,180 | $5,330 – $7,107 |
| Cedar Rapids to San Antonio | ~1,104 mi | 3–7 days | $4,968 – $6,624 | $5,713 – $7,618 |
| Des Moines to Corpus Christi | ~1,141 mi | 3–7 days | $5,135 – $6,846 | $5,905 – $7,873 |
| Des Moines to El Paso | ~1,145 mi | 3–7 days | $5,153 – $6,870 | $5,925 – $7,901 |
| Des Moines to Laredo | ~1,194 mi | 3–7 days | $5,373 – $7,164 | $6,179 – $8,239 |
| Cedar Rapids to Corpus Christi | ~1,205 mi | 7–14 days | $5,423 – $7,230 | $6,236 – $8,315 |
| Cedar Rapids to El Paso | ~1,257 mi | 7–14 days | $5,657 – $7,542 | $6,505 – $8,673 |
| Cedar Rapids to Laredo | ~1,270 mi | 7–14 days | $5,715 – $7,620 | $6,572 – $8,763 |
| Des Moines to McAllen | ~1,275 mi | 7–14 days | $5,738 – $7,650 | $6,598 – $8,798 |
| Cedar Rapids to McAllen | ~1,342 mi | 7–14 days | $6,039 – $8,052 | $6,945 – $9,260 |
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 960 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 Iowa
119 household-goods carriers in Iowa are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Tucker Freight Lines Inc, Dubuque · USDOT 1674 · 340 trucks
- Adamantine Spine Moving, Iowa City · USDOT 1471037 · 37 trucks
- Boost Express Van Lines Inc, Davenport · USDOT 2453637 · 37 trucks
- Maher Bros Transfer And Storage Inc, Cedar Rapids · USDOT 87390 · 32 trucks
- Lint Van Lines Inc, Des Moines · USDOT 543541 · 27 trucks
At the Texas end
2,438 household-goods carriers are based in Texas — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Houston runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $4,320 – $5,760 | $5,400 – $7,200 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,968 – $6,624 | $6,210 – $8,280 |
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 Iowa
Iowa to Texas moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Iowa to Texas?
Between the two states' main cities, Des Moines and Houston, the distance is about 960 miles. From our model that is $4,320 – $5,760 for a two-bedroom home and $4,968 – $6,624 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $3,110 – $4,147 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $2,074 – $2,765. Across the 32 city pairs we price between Iowa and Texas, distances run from 703 to 1,342 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Iowa to Texas take?
Des Moines to Houston is 2 days on the road (about 17 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 Iowa to Texas?
Yes. Any move that crosses from Iowa into Texas 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 Iowa to Texas?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $2,074 – $2,765 for a two-bedroom home over 960 miles against $4,320 – $5,760 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 $6,210 – $8,280 rather than $4,968 – $6,624.