Moving from Tennesseeto Iowa
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Nashville and Des Moines it is about 612 miles and 2 days on the road (about 11 hours of driving); the 8 city pairs we price between the two states run from 559 to 759 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Nashville 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 Tennessee and Iowa.
Cost of moving from Tennessee to Iowa
At about 612 miles, full-service movers should land around $2,754 – $3,672 for a two-bedroom home and $3,167 – $4,223 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $1,983 – $2,644; a freight trailer is $1,322 – $1,763.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,066 – $2,754 | $1,487 – $1,983 | $991 – $1,322 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,479 – $3,305 | $1,785 – $2,379 | $1,190 – $1,586 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,754 – $3,672 | $1,983 – $2,644 | $1,322 – $1,763 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,167 – $4,223 | $2,280 – $3,040 | $1,520 – $2,027 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,580 – $4,774 | $2,578 – $3,437 | $1,718 – $2,291 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,131 – $5,508 | $2,974 – $3,966 | $1,983 – $2,644 |
Transport only, for an estimated 612 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 Tennessee to Iowa
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 4 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville to Cedar Rapids | ~559 mi | 3–7 days | $2,516 – $3,354 | $2,893 – $3,857 |
| Memphis to Cedar Rapids | ~560 mi | 3–7 days | $2,520 – $3,360 | $2,898 – $3,864 |
| Memphis to Des Moines | ~566 mi | 3–7 days | $2,547 – $3,396 | $2,929 – $3,905 |
| Nashville to Des Moines | ~612 mi | 3–7 days | $2,754 – $3,672 | $3,167 – $4,223 |
| Knoxville to Cedar Rapids | ~685 mi | 3–7 days | $3,083 – $4,110 | $3,545 – $4,726 |
| Chattanooga to Cedar Rapids | ~687 mi | 3–7 days | $3,092 – $4,122 | $3,555 – $4,740 |
| Chattanooga to Des Moines | ~744 mi | 3–7 days | $3,348 – $4,464 | $3,850 – $5,134 |
| Knoxville to Des Moines | ~759 mi | 3–7 days | $3,416 – $4,554 | $3,928 – $5,237 |
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 612 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 Tennessee
274 household-goods carriers in Tennessee are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Colonial Van Lines Inc, Clarkrange · USDOT 4071435 · 24 trucks
- Big League Movers Inc, Memphis · USDOT 1999318 · 20 trucks
- Lanigan Worldwide Moving & Warehousing Inc, Memphis · USDOT 296790 · 20 trucks
- Rowe Transfer Inc, Knoxville · USDOT 1079919 · 17 trucks
- Guardian Moving Systems Inc, Memphis · USDOT 534684 · 17 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 | $2,754 – $3,672 | $3,443 – $4,590 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,167 – $4,223 | $3,959 – $5,279 |
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 Tennessee
Tennessee to Iowa moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Tennessee to Iowa?
Between the two states' main cities, Nashville and Des Moines, the distance is about 612 miles. From our model that is $2,754 – $3,672 for a two-bedroom home and $3,167 – $4,223 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $1,983 – $2,644 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $1,322 – $1,763. Across the 8 city pairs we price between Tennessee and Iowa, distances run from 559 to 759 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Tennessee to Iowa take?
Nashville to Des Moines is 2 days on the road (about 11 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 Tennessee to Iowa?
Yes. Any move that crosses from Tennessee 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 Tennessee to Iowa?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $1,322 – $1,763 for a two-bedroom home over 612 miles against $2,754 – $3,672 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 $3,959 – $5,279 rather than $3,167 – $4,223.