Moving from Texasto Iowa
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Houston and Des Moines 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.
Houston 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 Texas and Iowa.
Cost of moving from Texas to Iowa
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 Texas to Iowa
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McKinney to Des Moines | ~703 mi | 3–7 days | $3,164 – $4,218 | $3,638 – $4,851 |
| Plano to Des Moines | ~716 mi | 3–7 days | $3,222 – $4,296 | $3,705 – $4,940 |
| Garland to Des Moines | ~725 mi | 3–7 days | $3,263 – $4,350 | $3,752 – $5,002 |
| Amarillo to Des Moines | ~730 mi | 3–7 days | $3,285 – $4,380 | $3,778 – $5,037 |
| Irving to Des Moines | ~735 mi | 3–7 days | $3,308 – $4,410 | $3,804 – $5,071 |
| Dallas to Des Moines | ~738 mi | 3–7 days | $3,321 – $4,428 | $3,819 – $5,092 |
| Arlington to Des Moines | ~747 mi | 3–7 days | $3,362 – $4,482 | $3,866 – $5,154 |
| Fort Worth to Des Moines | ~750 mi | 3–7 days | $3,375 – $4,500 | $3,881 – $5,175 |
| McKinney to Cedar Rapids | ~775 mi | 3–7 days | $3,488 – $4,650 | $4,011 – $5,347 |
| Plano to Cedar Rapids | ~788 mi | 3–7 days | $3,546 – $4,728 | $4,078 – $5,437 |
| Garland to Cedar Rapids | ~796 mi | 3–7 days | $3,582 – $4,776 | $4,119 – $5,492 |
| Irving to Cedar Rapids | ~809 mi | 3–7 days | $3,641 – $4,854 | $4,187 – $5,582 |
| Dallas to Cedar Rapids | ~810 mi | 3–7 days | $3,645 – $4,860 | $4,192 – $5,589 |
| Arlington to Cedar Rapids | ~821 mi | 3–7 days | $3,695 – $4,926 | $4,249 – $5,665 |
| Fort Worth to Cedar Rapids | ~826 mi | 3–7 days | $3,717 – $4,956 | $4,275 – $5,699 |
| Lubbock to Des Moines | ~834 mi | 3–7 days | $3,753 – $5,004 | $4,316 – $5,755 |
| Amarillo to Cedar Rapids | ~840 mi | 3–7 days | $3,780 – $5,040 | $4,347 – $5,796 |
| Lubbock to Cedar Rapids | ~938 mi | 3–7 days | $4,221 – $5,628 | $4,854 – $6,472 |
| Austin to Des Moines | ~950 mi | 3–7 days | $4,275 – $5,700 | $4,916 – $6,555 |
| Houston to Des Moines | ~960 mi | 3–7 days | $4,320 – $5,760 | $4,968 – $6,624 |
| Houston to Cedar Rapids | ~1,013 mi | 3–7 days | $4,559 – $6,078 | $5,242 – $6,990 |
| Austin to Cedar Rapids | ~1,022 mi | 3–7 days | $4,599 – $6,132 | $5,289 – $7,052 |
| San Antonio to Des Moines | ~1,030 mi | 3–7 days | $4,635 – $6,180 | $5,330 – $7,107 |
| San Antonio to Cedar Rapids | ~1,104 mi | 3–7 days | $4,968 – $6,624 | $5,713 – $7,618 |
| Corpus Christi to Des Moines | ~1,141 mi | 3–7 days | $5,135 – $6,846 | $5,905 – $7,873 |
| El Paso to Des Moines | ~1,145 mi | 3–7 days | $5,153 – $6,870 | $5,925 – $7,901 |
| Laredo to Des Moines | ~1,194 mi | 3–7 days | $5,373 – $7,164 | $6,179 – $8,239 |
| Corpus Christi to Cedar Rapids | ~1,205 mi | 7–14 days | $5,423 – $7,230 | $6,236 – $8,315 |
| El Paso to Cedar Rapids | ~1,257 mi | 7–14 days | $5,657 – $7,542 | $6,505 – $8,673 |
| Laredo to Cedar Rapids | ~1,270 mi | 7–14 days | $5,715 – $7,620 | $6,572 – $8,763 |
| McAllen to Des Moines | ~1,275 mi | 7–14 days | $5,738 – $7,650 | $6,598 – $8,798 |
| McAllen to Cedar Rapids | ~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 Texas
2,438 household-goods carriers in Texas are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Apple Moving, Austin · USDOT 3538096 · 185 trucks
- Scobey Moving & Storage Ltd, San Antonio · USDOT 1274056 · 123 trucks
- 3 Men Movers, Houston · USDOT 1914113 · 95 trucks
- Suddath Moving & Storage, Coppell · USDOT 1038245 · 65 trucks
- Armstrong Relocation, Carrollton · USDOT 449294 · 54 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 | $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 Texas
Texas to Iowa moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Texas to Iowa?
Between the two states' main cities, Houston and Des Moines, 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 Texas and Iowa, distances run from 703 to 1,342 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Texas to Iowa take?
Houston 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 Texas to Iowa?
Yes. Any move that crosses from Texas 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 Texas to Iowa?
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.