Iowa is nearly balanced on domestic migration, losing only 231 residents to net outbound migration in 2024, a rate so small it barely registers compared to neighboring Illinois, which shed 56,235 in the same period. What drives Iowa’s moving market is the opposite of a migration boom: it is a steady, replacement-cycle market anchored by agricultural and manufacturing employment transitions, university-town turnover (Iowa City, Ames, Cedar Falls), and modest in-migration tied to Des Moines’ growth as an insurance and financial services hub. Des Moines has consistently been among the top affordable Midwest metros attracting remote workers and families priced out of larger cities. Interstate 80 defines the primary east-west corridor, running from the Quad Cities through Des Moines and continuing west to Council Bluffs and Omaha, Nebraska, making it the backbone of Iowa’s inbound and outbound interstate move routes. I-35 runs north-south from Kansas City through Des Moines to Minneapolis, channeling migration between Iowa and Minnesota. Most Iowa moves are local (under 100 miles) and involve single-family homes with minimal elevator or urban logistics complexity. Longer intrastate routes are common: Des Moines to Sioux City is 200 miles, and Des Moines to Dubuque is 185 miles, requiring full-service carriers. The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) regulates intrastate household goods movers and issues Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) numbers to qualifying carriers. FMCSA governs interstate moves. Local movers in Des Moines have been quoted at $80-$100 per hour for a two-person crew; contact movers directly for current pricing, as published averages vary significantly by source and crew size.
Top-Rated Movers in Iowa
Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage
Address: 5600 Harbor Dr, Sioux City, IA 51111
Website: claeysbrothers.com
USDOT: #70719
Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage has operated in the Siouxland region since 1955, making it one of Iowa’s longest-running independent movers. The company is family-owned across three generations, holds an A+ BBB rating, and serves as a Wheaton Worldwide Moving and United Van Lines affiliate for interstate moves. Local services cover Sioux City and surrounding areas including parts of Nebraska and South Dakota. Services include full-service residential and commercial moves, packing and unpacking, piano and antique handling, and storage. The van line affiliation provides access to nationwide long-distance capacity.
Two Men and a Truck (Des Moines)
Address: 3718 Merle Hay Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322
Website: twomenandatruck.com
USDOT: #2527384
Two Men and a Truck Des Moines is a locally owned franchise that has operated since 1996, growing to 25 trucks and over 70 movers. (National chain with Iowa operations.) The franchise serves an 800-mile radius from Des Moines, which covers the entire state of Iowa for interstate moves, and has won Best Movers in Des Moines from Cityview for nine consecutive years. Services include local and long-distance residential moves, commercial relocation, packing, unpacking, junk removal, and warehouse and vault storage. The A+ BBB rating reflects consistent customer satisfaction across the Des Moines metro.
Mid-American Moving and Storage
Address: 1501 Delaware Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
Website: midamericanmoving.com
Mid-American Moving and Storage is a Des Moines-based company licensed for intrastate Iowa moves (Iowa license #3181246IA) and FMCSA-registered for interstate moves. Services include local residential and commercial moves within the Des Moines area, long-distance interstate moves, packing, unpacking, storage, and full-service moves for seniors and veterans. The company covers Des Moines and surrounding Central Iowa communities including Urbandale, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, and Ames.
Moving Companies in Iowa: Common Questions
Is my mover required to be licensed in Iowa?
Yes. Intrastate household goods movers in Iowa must be licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation and hold an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) number, which confirms that the company meets minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. You can verify a mover’s IOWAMC status through the Iowa DOT at iowa.gov. For interstate moves to or from Iowa, movers must also hold a USDOT number verified through FMCSA at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
How much does a local move typically cost in Iowa?
Local movers in the Des Moines area have been quoted at $80-$100 per hour for a two-person crew. Long-distance moves from Iowa to another state typically range into the several-thousand dollar range depending on distance and volume. Contact movers directly for current pricing, as rates reflect crew size, distance, and seasonal demand.
How does Iowa’s geography affect moving logistics?
Most Iowa moves are local or regional, involving single-family homes in smaller cities and suburban areas with no elevator or urban density complications. The state’s distributed population means longer intrastate routes are common: Des Moines to Sioux City is 200 miles, and Des Moines to Iowa City or the Quad Cities runs 100-130 miles. These distances require full-service carriers rather than labor-only crews. Interstate 80 is the dominant route for moves to and from the coasts, while I-35 connects Des Moines to the Twin Cities and Kansas City.
What is the best time of year to move in Iowa?
Summer (June-August) is peak moving season in Iowa and typically commands higher prices and shorter availability. Winter is the least expensive period, though Iowa winters bring significant snow and ice that can delay large truck access and increase moving complexity. Spring and fall offer the best balance of moderate weather, lower prices, and mover availability. Residents planning moves to or from rural areas should account for harvest season (September-November), when agricultural traffic on county roads can slow move-day logistics in farming communities.
How do I verify a mover’s credentials and file a complaint in Iowa?
Verify intrastate Iowa movers through the Iowa Department of Transportation’s carrier search. For interstate movers, use the FMCSA database at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov to confirm active authority and insurance. If you experience problems with a mover, the Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division handles complaints about unfair or deceptive business practices. For interstate moves, file with the FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database. Document all estimates, contracts, and communications before filing a complaint.