Texas to Iowa Movers
Iowa homes have basements, and Texas homes mostly don't. That one difference shapes a lot of Texas to Iowa moves: the bulk of what you own goes down a staircase or through an outside cellar door at the other end, and the crew needs to know that before the truck is loaded. Condor Moving Systems has moved Texas households across state lines since 2003. We run our own trucks and our own crews out of locations in Fort Worth and Houston, and we pick up anywhere in Texas for delivery to Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Ames, the Quad Cities and the rest of Iowa.
Household moves to Iowa · Packing add-on · Custom crates · Storage in transit · Office moves
USDOT 1126171 · MC-458180 · TxDMV 006041428C
What Comes Standard on an Iowa Move
These items are part of every Condor move from Texas to Iowa. You don't pay extra for them.
- Taking furniture apart and putting it back together. Beds, tables, sectionals and similar pieces are disassembled at your Texas address and reassembled in Iowa.
- Pads on everything. Each piece of furniture is wrapped in moving blankets before it is carried out.
- A tagged inventory. Every item gets a numbered tag. You sign the inventory sheet when the truck is loaded and check it off when the truck is unloaded.
- Room placement. Tell us which room each piece belongs in, including the basement, and that's where it goes.
- One consultant. The person who builds your estimate stays with your file through delivery.
- Released value protection. This is the coverage federal rules require on every interstate move. It is included and pays 60 cents per pound per article; it's moving coverage, not insurance. Full value replacement is available through Baker International; Condor doesn't sell it in-house. Read about your coverage options before you choose.
Packing is extra. Boxing up dishes, clothes, decorations and whatever is in the garage or attic is never part of the base move. If you want our crew to do it, add a full pack (we box the whole house) or a partial pack (we box only the rooms you pick).
Trusted by Texas Families Since 2003
Punctual, good and professional. Condor Moving System is my go-to moving guys now. Fairly priced for the level of professional moving service they provide to their customers. They were very good in communication to me and among themselves. I have had many bad experiences with multiple movers before it. Condor is the first ever company that I found nobody to complain about, which is maybe a pretty rare thing to say about relocators.Thomas C Davison
Movers did a great moving job even though it was a not smooth and it's a very long job. Best value for the money we spend. They stayed professional and were kind throughout the move process. They recognized my items and if I needed to change the things, they did it for me rapidly. Very friendly teamwork. Will surly use them again!Denis Tanney
These movers did a best job even though it was a tough and time taking job. Best value for the money it cost. Stayed professional and were helpful throughout the day of move. Honored my goods and if I required things changed they did it for me in little time. Very coordinated teamwork. Will definitely use them again for coming movers!Marks Josephine
Why the Basement Matters
Most Iowa houses were built with full or partial basements, and a lot of families use them as finished living space: a family room, a guest bedroom, a home gym, storage shelving. In older neighborhoods of Des Moines, Davenport, Dubuque and Cedar Rapids, the basement stairs can be narrow and steep, with a tight turn at the landing. Some basements are reached only through an outdoor bulkhead door.
That affects three things on your move:
- What fits. A sectional or king box spring that slid easily into a Texas slab home may not make the turn into an Iowa basement. Measure the stairwell and send us the numbers or a photo.
- How long unloading takes. Carrying down a flight of stairs is slower than rolling across a slab floor. We plan the crew size around it.
- What gets taken apart. Basic disassembly is standard on all our moves, and it is often what gets a bed frame or desk down a basement stair. Particleboard and ready-to-assemble pieces are not part of basic disassembly.
If you're buying in Iowa, ask the seller or agent whether the basement has ever taken on water. Store boxes off the floor on shelving or pallets for the first spring until you know.
The Road North From Texas
From DFW, the route to Des Moines is I-35 the whole way. It runs north through Oklahoma City and Wichita, past Kansas City, and into Iowa at Lamoni. Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and the Quad Cities branch off east on I-80 or I-380. For western Iowa (Council Bluffs, Sioux City), the trip leaves I-35 at Kansas City and follows I-29 up the Missouri River.
| Leaving from | Going to | Driving distance | Car time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth | Council Bluffs | about 650 mi | 11½ hrs |
| Dallas | Des Moines | about 695 mi | 13 hrs |
| Fort Worth | Des Moines | about 740 mi | 13 hrs |
| Fort Worth | Ames | about 775 mi | 13½ hrs |
| Fort Worth | Iowa City | about 855 mi | 15 hrs |
| Fort Worth | Cedar Rapids | about 865 mi | 15 hrs |
| Fort Worth | Davenport | about 910 mi | 16 hrs |
| Austin | Des Moines | about 930 mi | 16 hrs |
| Houston | Des Moines | about 935 mi | 17 hrs |
| San Antonio | Des Moines | about 1,005 mi | 17½ hrs |
| Houston | Cedar Rapids | about 1,060 mi | 19½ hrs |
These figures are rounded from OpenStreetMap routing between city centers. They are for planning, not pricing; a loaded truck is slower than a car, and the driver takes required rest breaks.
When your things arrive
Standard delivery to Iowa is 1 to 10 business days, counted from the first day you can receive the shipment. Iowa is well beyond an 8-hour drive from our Texas locations, so next-day service doesn't apply here. Next-day delivery is available on dedicated trucks for destinations within about an 8-hour drive.
We do guarantee your pickup date. If you need the truck at your Iowa house on one exact day, a guaranteed delivery date is available for an additional charge; ask for it when you request the estimate.
How We Price a Texas to Iowa Move
Long-distance moves at Condor are priced by the cubic foot, and nothing else sets the base rate. We measure the space your belongings will take up on the truck, and that number times your per-cubic-foot rate is your transportation price. The distance to Iowa is already built into that rate, so you won't see a separate line for it. Long-distance moves start at $1,200.
What raises or lowers an Iowa estimate:
- Cubic feet. The biggest factor by far. A three-bedroom house with a full basement of storage is a bigger shipment than the same house without one.
- The packing add-on, if you choose it, plus cartons and materials.
- Crates for glass, stone tabletops, mirrors or art.
- Access. Long carries, upstairs bedrooms, basement stairs, and building elevators.
- A shuttle, if a full-size truck can't get up a farm lane or gravel drive (charged in addition to your estimate, from $450).
- Storage in transit, if your Iowa closing date and your Texas move-out don't line up.
- The coverage level you select.
The estimate is binding
Every Condor estimate is binding, so the price you sign is the price you pay for the items and services listed. It is the only kind of estimate we write. If something changes, like an extra room of furniture or a piano that wasn't on the survey, the foreman writes up the revision before loading starts and you approve it in writing.
Three ways to get your Iowa quote
- Video survey on Zoom. This is how most customers do it. A consultant walks your home with you on your phone or laptop, room by room, including the garage and attic.
- Phone quote. This works if you can give us an accurate list of your furniture and a box count. For a binding phone quote with no video or in-person survey, you sign a written waiver of the survey.
- In-person survey. Available only in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Our online inventory tool helps you get the list together before any of these.
Iowa's Calendar Can Work Against You
A few dates in Iowa are worth checking before you lock in a load date.
RAGBRAI, the last full week of July. Tens of thousands of cyclists ride across the state on a different route each year, and host towns close streets for the overnight stops. In 2026 the ride ran July 18–25 from Onawa to Dubuque. If your new address is on the year's route, pick a different week.
The Iowa State Fair, mid-August, Des Moines. Traffic around the east side of Des Moines and the I-235 corridor is heavy for its 11 days. It overlaps with student move-in.
University move-in. Iowa State in Ames, the University of Iowa in Iowa City, and the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls all fill their rental streets in mid-to-late August, and May brings the reverse rush. Apartment complexes near campus often book their loading zones by the hour.
Severe weather season. Spring and summer bring tornado warnings, and on August 10, 2020, a derecho flattened large parts of Cedar Rapids. If there is a warning on the route or at the delivery address, the crew waits until it lifts.
Winter. November through March can close I-35 and I-80 for blizzards and ice. Shovel and salt your steps and driveway before the truck arrives so the crew can carry safely.
River flooding. The Cedar, Iowa, Des Moines and Mississippi rivers all have flood histories. Routing is checked before dispatch.
Farms, Acreages and Small Towns
A lot of Iowa moves end on a gravel road. A full-size moving truck needs firm ground, room to turn around and enough clearance under trees and wires. Spring thaw can make gravel roads soft for weeks. Send us a map pin and a few photos of your lane and yard with your quote request, so we know before the move whether a smaller shuttle truck is needed. Shuttle service is charged in addition to your estimate and starts at $450.
Iowa Destinations We Serve
Central Iowa: Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive, Waukee, Altoona, Ames, Marshalltown, Newton
Eastern Iowa: Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Davenport, Bettendorf, Dubuque, Burlington
Northern and western Iowa: Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Mason City, Fort Dodge, Sioux City, Council Bluffs
Texas pickups: Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, San Antonio and anywhere else in Texas.
We deliver anywhere in Iowa.
Military Moves to Iowa
Iowa has no large active-duty base, but Camp Dodge in Johnston is the headquarters of the Iowa National Guard, and Guard, Reserve and recruiting assignments bring service members to the state. If your military move needs certified weight tickets, we can provide them; those are the only moves where we weigh a truck. Our military work includes PPM moves (you set up the move and are reimbursed by the government), retiree moves and shipments arranged by the government.
After You Unload: Iowa Paperwork
Iowa gives new residents 30 days to title and register their vehicles with a county treasurer, even if your Texas plates haven't expired. Bring your Texas title (or current registration if a lender holds the title) and ID. Many county offices require an appointment. Your driver's license is a separate stop at an Iowa DOT driver's license location. Check your county treasurer's website for current requirements.
Condor Crews at Work
Texas to Iowa Moving Questions
Can you get my furniture down into an Iowa basement?
Usually, yes. Send stairwell measurements or photos with your quote request. We take apart what needs taking apart as part of the standard move. If something won't make the turn, we'll tell you before moving day rather than at the bottom of the stairs.
How much does a move from Texas to Iowa cost?
It depends almost entirely on how many cubic feet you're moving. Condor prices long-distance moves by the cubic foot, with the trip already built into the rate, and long-distance moves start at $1,200. Packing, crates and access add-ons are listed separately on your binding estimate.
How long will my shipment take to reach Iowa?
Standard delivery is 1 to 10 business days from the first day you can receive it. If you need one specific day, ask about a guaranteed delivery date; it costs extra.
Do you need to see my house in person?
No. Most customers do the survey by Zoom. A phone quote works if you can give an accurate furniture list and box count. In-person surveys are available in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Do you pack my boxes?
Only if you add it. Packing is never included in the base price. You can pack yourself, or add a full or partial pack.
Will the truck stop at a scale?
Not unless it's a military move that requires weight tickets. Your price comes from cubic feet, not a scale.
My Iowa house closes a week after I leave Texas. What happens to my things?
Storage in transit holds your inventoried shipment until you're ready. Tell your consultant as soon as a closing date looks shaky. Storage in transit is held in Texas, at our Fort Worth or Houston location. The first 30 days are free; after that, it's billed monthly.
What if something is damaged?
You can file a claim with us after delivery, and our team will help you through it. Start at our file a claim page. Federal rules give you 9 months from delivery to file.
Before Your Iowa Move
- Inventory tool: list your furniture room by room before your survey, basement included.
- Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move: the federal booklet for every interstate move.
- Coverage options: released value coverage, and full value replacement through Baker International.
- What can't go on the truck: propane, gasoline, paint and ammunition stay behind.
- Moving checklist: add the 30-day Iowa registration deadline.
- Boxes and supplies: cartons, dish packs and tape.
Start Planning Your Iowa Move
Tell us where you're leaving in Texas, where you're headed in Iowa, and roughly how much is coming. We'll set up a Zoom survey and send your binding estimate in writing.