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Cross Country Movers in Iowa

When searching for cross country movers in Iowa, there are many factors to consider. Are their rates fair? What is their internet reputation? How does pricing work? With long distance moves, these questions are even more important. Your items are traveling a long way, increasing the price tag and risk of damage to your goods. Out of state movers also require more licensing than in-town movers. You can sift around the internet trying to find the right expert for your job, or you can breathe easy knowing that Move Honcho has already done the initial work for you.

It is our mission to simplify your move by educating you on the process, your options, and linking you up with accredited professionals. Maybe you are on a budget and want to explore other options such as moving containers or a do-it-yourself move. If so, keep reading. Or if you are ready to contact the pros, simply fill out the form to get started with our top picks for your move to or from the Hawkeye State.

How It Works

Fill out the form

Give us some information about your move so we can find the right experts for you.

Receive estimates

Receive up to 3 handpicked estimates from the best movers for your job.

Book your move

You choose the company to book with based on their rate and services.

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Cross Country Moving 101

Cross country moving refers to relocating your items over a long distance. While the general concept is the same, a long distance move will differ from an in-state (or intrastate) move in several ways. Moving to another state requires additional planning, preparation, and certifications from your moving professionals. It is especially important to ensure that your items are packed and loaded properly to ensure damage-free transit. Billing will also work differently with long distance moves.

Cross country moving is a big step in your life, so we want to make sure we provide you with as much information on your options, how to properly prepare, and how to make the process as pain-free as possible Check out our FAQ to learn everything you need to know, and decide if hiring the pros is right for you.

Long Distance Moving FAQ

What are my options for moving cross country?

You have several options when moving cross country, here they are, in order from least expensive to most expensive.

Do-it-yourself (DIY): With a DIY move, you rent a truck or use your own truck/trailer and have friends or family members help you with your move. This could be an effective option if you have several able-bodied friends and are on a tight budget. However, keep in mind that it will be especially hard to move yourself over a long distance vs. a small in-town move. You need to be sure to properly pack and load your items to ensure safety during the long transit. Also make sure you get a big enough truck since you will need to move it all in one shot.
Moving Containers: Moving containers are standalone containers that are dropped off on your driveway. You do the packing, loading, and unloading. The container company provides the container and the transportation. This can be a very cost-effective way to move your items a long distance – the containers can even double as storage.
Full-Service Movers: Full service movers will do the loading, transportation, and unloading of your items. They will even pack and unpack your belongings upon request. While the most expensive option, it is the fastest and safest way to move your items, and many times the added peace of mind will outweigh the sticker shock.

Is it worth it to hire movers?

It depends. Here are some things to consider:

When you may be able to move yourself
- You and your moving help are able-bodied – You will need at least two able-bodied people who can lift a minimum of 60 lbs. comfortably. The more people the better though.
- You have plenty of time to spare – Moving yourself will take a very long time, especially if you are moving multiple bedrooms. Be sure to schedule a minimum of 8 hours to load your moving vehicle and 5 hours to unload your vehicle (this does not include packing/unpacking).
- You are on a tight budget – If you simply can’t afford movers, it is possible to move yourself a long distance with the proper planning, preparation, and technique.
- You are OK with some damage to your items – No matter how careful you are with your items, if you are not professionally trained to move, it is almost inevitable that some items will receive a couple dings here and there. This risk is increased more with long distance moves because much of the damage can happen during transit.
When you should hire movers
- You are not physically capable or don’t have capable help
- You are on a tight timeframe – There are many tasks associated with your move aside from the physical moving. Hiring pros gives you the luxury of focusing on these while they move. Not to mention, the pros will move your items in a fraction of the time that it would take you.
- You can afford it – If you can afford it, we promise you that the time savings and peace of mind will be worth it.
- You have items that are of extreme value, weight, or require disassembly – The pros will properly assemble your equipment, protect the valuables, and they have the muscles ant technique to move that solid wood nine-foot tall armoire without a hitch.

If I hire movers, how do I select the right company?

Ask around and see if you can get referrals from friends. Check online ratings. Give them a call and get their rates and get a feel for them. Also keep in mind that if they give you a flat rate or quote you much cheaper than other companies to be wary of them. Or you can fill out our form and receive multiple quotes from pre-vetted companies.

How will I be billed?

While short distance moves will bill by the hour, typically moves over a long distance will bill by total weight of your items and the distance being traveled. The average rate is 50 cents per pound and 70 cents per mile. Good moving companies will do a thorough walkthrough of your house prior to providing you with an official rate estimate.

What can I expect to pay?

While pricing can vary significantly, here are some rate estimates based on distance and size of your long distance move:

1 Bedroom

1,000 – 2,500 miles: $900 – $2,500

2,500+ miles: $1,400 – $3,800

2-3 Bedrooms

1,000 – 2,500 miles : $1,900 – $5,500

2,500+ miles: $3,500 – $7,600

4-5 Bedrooms

1,000 – 2,500 miles : $4,000 – $7,500

2,500+ miles: $7,600+

How long does it take movers to move across country?

You can expect your movers to take 2 – 5 days to complete your cross country move. Typically, loading will take a half or full day, then transit will take 1 or 2 full days, then unloading will take a full day to a half day.

How do I prepare for my move?

There are several steps you can take to ensure that you are prepared for your movers to arrive. Have everything packed in full with all boxes taped and labeled. We suggest starting to pack at least 10 days in advance. Have a sitter lined up for your pets and kids to keep them out of your movers’ way. Clear pathways and prop open doorways. This will make the move go much faster and reduce the cost of your final bill.

Do I need to tip my movers?

While tips are not expected, they are a nice gesture if you are happy with your service. This is especially true with long distance moves. Since your movers are spending more time with you and on the road, we highly suggest tipping if you are happy with their service.

How and when do I tip them?

We suggest tipping long distance movers $20-$40 per full day of work. If your moving company loaded you for a day, transported your items for 2 days, and unloaded for a full day, then $40 – $80 per mover would be a good amount. It is best to tip each mover personally with cash.

What if my movers damaged my items?

Before signing the Bill of Lading (the paperwork at the end of your move), inspect all items for damage. If there is damage, notate it on this document. Then be sure to call your moving company’s office to file a claim for the damage.

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About Us

Move Honcho provides free moving estimates, rate comparison, and moving tips from a network of top rated moving companies from coast to coast. Our mission is to simplify your move by taking the heavy lifting out of your search process.

Service cities: Des Moines | Cedar Rapids | Iowa City