Moving from Minnesotato Iowa
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Minneapolis and Des Moines it is about 274 miles and about 5 hours; the 6 city pairs we price between the two states run from 171 to 274 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Minneapolis to Des Moines, 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 Minnesota and Iowa.
Cost of moving from Minnesota to Iowa
At about 274 miles, full-service movers should land around $1,233 – $1,644 for a two-bedroom home and $1,418 – $1,891 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $888 – $1,184; a freight trailer is $592 – $789.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $925 – $1,233 | $666 – $888 | $444 – $592 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,110 – $1,480 | $799 – $1,065 | $533 – $710 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,233 – $1,644 | $888 – $1,184 | $592 – $789 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,418 – $1,891 | $1,021 – $1,361 | $681 – $907 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,603 – $2,137 | $1,154 – $1,539 | $769 – $1,026 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,850 – $2,466 | $1,332 – $1,776 | $888 – $1,184 |
Transport only, for an estimated 274 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 Minnesota to Iowa
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 6 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester to Cedar Rapids | ~171 mi | 1–3 days | $770 – $1,026 | $885 – $1,180 |
| Rochester to Des Moines | ~208 mi | 1–3 days | $936 – $1,248 | $1,076 – $1,435 |
| Saint Paul to Cedar Rapids | ~254 mi | 1–3 days | $1,143 – $1,524 | $1,314 – $1,753 |
| Minneapolis to Cedar Rapids | ~259 mi | 1–3 days | $1,166 – $1,554 | $1,340 – $1,787 |
| Saint Paul to Des Moines | ~273 mi | 1–3 days | $1,229 – $1,638 | $1,413 – $1,884 |
| Minneapolis to Des Moines | ~274 mi | 1–3 days | $1,233 – $1,644 | $1,418 – $1,891 |
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 274 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 Minnesota
277 household-goods carriers in Minnesota are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Bay And Bay, Eagan · USDOT 125630 · 360 trucks
- Berger Transfer & Storage Inc, Saint Paul · USDOT 125665 · 221 trucks
- C T X, Rush City · USDOT 493429 · 74 trucks
- Polman Transfer Inc, Wadena · USDOT 116195 · 66 trucks
- Lohse Transfer Inc, Maple Lake · USDOT 294301 · 61 trucks
At the Iowa end
119 household-goods carriers are based in Iowa — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Des Moines runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $1,233 – $1,644 | $1,541 – $2,055 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,418 – $1,891 | $1,773 – $2,364 |
Transit is 1 to 3 days. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 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 Minnesota
Minnesota to Iowa moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Minnesota to Iowa?
Between the two states' main cities, Minneapolis and Des Moines, the distance is about 274 miles. From our model that is $1,233 – $1,644 for a two-bedroom home and $1,418 – $1,891 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $888 – $1,184 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $592 – $789. Across the 6 city pairs we price between Minnesota and Iowa, distances run from 171 to 274 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Minnesota to Iowa take?
Minneapolis to Des Moines is about 5 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 Minnesota to Iowa?
Yes. Any move that crosses from Minnesota into Iowa 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 Minnesota to Iowa?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $592 – $789 for a two-bedroom home over 274 miles against $1,233 – $1,644 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 $1,773 – $2,364 rather than $1,418 – $1,891.