Moving from North Dakota to Iowa
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Fargo and Des Moines it is about 464 miles and about 8 hours; the 4 city pairs we price between the two states run from 464 to 653 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.
- ~464 miFargo → Des Moines
- 3–7 daysTypical transit
- $2,088+2-bedroom, movers
- 4City routes priced
In short
About 148 people moved from North Dakota to Iowa in 2024 (Census estimate, ±110), and about 431 went the other way. Between Fargo and Des Moines it is about 464 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $2,088 – $2,784 in our model, delivered in 3–7 days. 22 movers based in North Dakota hold interstate authority.
Who moves from North Dakota to Iowa
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 148 people a year (±110), against about 431 (±541) from Iowa to North Dakota, so Iowa loses about 283 people a year on this exchange. North Dakota is the 36th-largest of the 43 states sending people to Iowa; Iowa took in about 59,199 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Logan County | Woodbury County | 128 ±177* |
| Cass County | Clay County | 85 ±113* |
| Cass County | Fayette County | 41 ±56* |
| Cass County | Polk County | 40 ±33 |
| Burleigh County | Johnson County | 29 ±32* |
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. * Margin as large as the estimate.
Fargo 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 North Dakota and Iowa.
Cost of moving from North Dakota to Iowa
At about 464 miles, full-service movers should land around $2,088 – $2,784 for a two-bedroom home and $2,401 – $3,202 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $1,503 – $2,004; a freight trailer is $1,002 – $1,336.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,566 – $2,088 | $1,128 – $1,503 | $752 – $1,002 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,879 – $2,506 | $1,353 – $1,804 | $902 – $1,203 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,088 – $2,784 | $1,503 – $2,004 | $1,002 – $1,336 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,401 – $3,202 | $1,729 – $2,305 | $1,153 – $1,537 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,714 – $3,619 | $1,954 – $2,606 | $1,303 – $1,737 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $3,132 – $4,176 | $2,255 – $3,007 | $1,503 – $2,004 |
Transport only, for an estimated 464 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 North Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo to Des Moines | ~464 mi | 3–7 days | $2,088 – $2,784 | $2,401 – $3,202 |
| Fargo to Cedar Rapids | ~492 mi | 3–7 days | $2,214 – $2,952 | $2,546 – $3,395 |
| Bismarck to Des Moines | ~589 mi | 3–7 days | $2,651 – $3,534 | $3,048 – $4,064 |
| Bismarck to Cedar Rapids | ~653 mi | 3–7 days | $2,939 – $3,918 | $3,379 – $4,506 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in North Dakota
12 of the 22 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 136 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 7 of 53 vehicle inspections (13.2%), below the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 11 of 136 driver inspections (8.1%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest Moving Midwest Moving Company Mmco MMCWest Fargo, ND · USDOT 3263587 | 77 | 3 of 32 | 3 of 77 |
| Reile's Transfer & Delivery IncFargo, ND · USDOT 36127 | 30 | 3 of 11 | 3 of 30 |
| Senske & SonGrand Forks, ND · USDOT 125571 | 5 | none inspected | 0 of 5 |
| 2 Vets Moving CompanyBismarck, ND · USDOT 3003189 | 4 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 4 |
| Williston TransferWilliston, ND · USDOT 351315 | 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 4 |
| Quality Movers LLCBismarck, ND · USDOT 4271723 | 4 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
28 listed household-goods carriers are based in North Dakota, 22 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the North Dakota 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 North Dakota. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from North Dakota
North Dakota to Iowa moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from North Dakota to Iowa?
Between the two states' main cities, Fargo and Des Moines, the distance is about 464 miles. From our model that is $2,088 – $2,784 for a two-bedroom home and $2,401 – $3,202 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $1,503 – $2,004 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $1,002 – $1,336. Across the 4 city pairs we price between North Dakota and Iowa, distances run from 464 to 653 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from North Dakota to Iowa take?
Fargo to Des Moines is about 8 hours. 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 North Dakota to Iowa?
Yes. A move from North Dakota into Iowa is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 28 listed movers based in North Dakota, 22 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within North Dakota.
What is the cheapest way to move from North Dakota to Iowa?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $1,002 – $1,336 for a two-bedroom home over 464 miles against $2,088 – $2,784 with full-service movers. A container, about $1,503 – $2,004, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from North Dakota to Iowa each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 148 people (±110) moved from North Dakota to Iowa that year, against about 431 (±541) from Iowa to North Dakota. That makes North Dakota the 36th-largest source of new residents for Iowa among the states.