Moving from Montana to Iowa
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Billings and Des Moines it is about 928 miles and 2 days on the road (about 17 hours of driving); the 4 city pairs we price between the two states run from 928 to 1,338 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.
- ~928 miBillings → Des Moines
- 3–7 daysTypical transit
- $4,176+2-bedroom, movers
- 4City routes priced
In short
Between Billings and Des Moines it is about 928 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $4,176 – $5,568 in our model, delivered in 3–7 days. 23 movers based in Montana hold interstate authority.
Billings 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 Montana and Iowa.
Cost of moving from Montana to Iowa
At about 928 miles, full-service movers should land around $4,176 – $5,568 for a two-bedroom home and $4,802 – $6,403 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $3,007 – $4,009; a freight trailer is $2,004 – $2,673.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,132 – $4,176 | $2,255 – $3,007 | $1,503 – $2,004 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,758 – $5,011 | $2,706 – $3,608 | $1,804 – $2,405 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,176 – $5,568 | $3,007 – $4,009 | $2,004 – $2,673 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,802 – $6,403 | $3,458 – $4,610 | $2,305 – $3,074 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,429 – $7,238 | $3,909 – $5,212 | $2,606 – $3,474 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,264 – $8,352 | $4,510 – $6,013 | $3,007 – $4,009 |
Transport only, for an estimated 928 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 Montana to Iowa
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. Run any pair through the calculator for a measured distance.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings to Des Moines | ~928 mi | 3–7 days | $4,176 – $5,568 | $4,802 – $6,403 |
| Billings to Cedar Rapids | ~1,022 mi | 3–7 days | $4,599 – $6,132 | $5,289 – $7,052 |
| Missoula to Des Moines | ~1,246 mi | 7–14 days | $5,607 – $7,476 | $6,448 – $8,597 |
| Missoula to Cedar Rapids | ~1,338 mi | 7–14 days | $6,021 – $8,028 | $6,924 – $9,232 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in Montana
6 of the 23 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 108 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 9 of 59 vehicle inspections (15.3%), below the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 11 of 106 driver inspections (10.4%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hi-Line Moving Services IncGreat Falls, MT · USDOT 877828 | 59 | 5 of 33 | 3 of 59 |
| A Team Moving and StorageMarion, MT · USDOT 2376754 | 36 | 2 of 20 | 5 of 36 |
| All Lanes Moving & Storage IncMissoula, MT · USDOT 917105 | 9 | 1 of 4 | 3 of 9 |
| Merchants Moving & StorageHamilton, MT · USDOT 1124148 | 2 | 1 of 2 | none inspected |
| Two Men and A Truck KalispellColumbia Falls, MT · USDOT 2965219 | 1 | none inspected | 0 of 1 |
| Service Long Distance Moving LLCMissoula, MT · USDOT 4461286 | 1 | none inspected | 0 of 1 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
30 listed household-goods carriers are based in Montana, 23 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the Montana directory ranks them. At the Iowa end, 119 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in Iowa, moving costs in Iowa, or the reverse trip, Iowa to Montana. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from Montana
Montana to Iowa moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Montana to Iowa?
Between the two states' main cities, Billings and Des Moines, the distance is about 928 miles. From our model that is $4,176 – $5,568 for a two-bedroom home and $4,802 – $6,403 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $3,007 – $4,009 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $2,004 – $2,673. Across the 4 city pairs we price between Montana and Iowa, distances run from 928 to 1,338 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Montana to Iowa take?
Billings to Des Moines 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 Montana to Iowa?
Yes. A move from Montana into Iowa is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 30 listed movers based in Montana, 23 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within Montana.
What is the cheapest way to move from Montana to Iowa?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $2,004 – $2,673 for a two-bedroom home over 928 miles against $4,176 – $5,568 with full-service movers. A container, about $3,007 – $4,009, splits the difference and gives you days to load.