Shipping Cost from Des Moines, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois
Get the best January 2026 prices to anywhere in the US or anywhere in the world. Looking for the cheapest way to ship from Des Moines, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois? The distance is approximately 310 miles. Shipping via DSM airport.
Select Item(s):
Mini Box
12" x 12" x 12"
Size Details
13 lbs / 6 kg
Small Box
15" x 15" x 15"
Size Details
25 lbs / 11 kg
Standard Box
18" x 18" x 18"
Size Details
42 lbs / 19 kg
Large Box
20" x 20" x 20"
Size Details
60 lbs / 27 kg
X Large Box
22" x 22" x 22"
Size Details
75 lbs / 34 kg
Enter Your Box Weight And Size
Width
Height
Length
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Distance
310 miles
Transit Time
2 business days via Freight Partners
Route Type
domestic
Available Shipping Options
Cheapest Option
$50.75 via Freight Partners
Fastest Option
2 days via UPS
Freight Partners
RecommendedGround Freight
Transit Time
2 days
Price
$50.75
UPS
Ground
Transit Time
2 days
Price
$53.29
FedEx
Ground
Transit Time
3 days
Price
$55.83
Estes Express
LTL Economy
Transit Time
4 days
Price
$97.37
Old Dominion
LTL Freight
Transit Time
3 days
Price
$105.12
XPO Logistics
LTL Freight
Transit Time
3 days
Price
$110.65
About Shipping from Des Moines, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois
When shipping from Des Moines, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois, you have several carrier options to choose from. The best choice depends on your priorities - whether you want the cheapest rate or the fastest delivery.
For this domestic route under 500 miles, ground freight is typically the most cost-effective option, with transit times of 2-3 business days.
Drop-off Locations in Des Moines, Iowa
Find FedEx, UPS, and DHL drop-off locations near you for convenient package drop-off.
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Instant Pricing
What Can You Ship from Des Moines, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois?
We offer specialized shipping services for a variety of items. Select a service below to get a customized quote.
Car Shipping
Auto transport services
Treadmill Moving
Gym equipment relocation
Piano Moving
Professional piano transport
Furniture Moving
Household furniture shipping
Appliance Shipping
Large appliance delivery
Hot Tub Moving
Spa and hot tub transport
Pool Table Moving
Billiard table relocation
Mattress Shipping
Mattress and bed delivery
Specialized Shipping from Des Moines, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois
Vehicle Moving Services
Q:Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car?
Generally, driving is cheaper than shipping for shorter distances, but the cost difference shrinks and shipping can become a better value for long hauls when factoring in hidden costs like wear & tear, time, and your own travel expenses (lodging, food). For very long trips (1000+ miles) or unreliable cars, the added costs of driving (depreciation, maintenance, fatigue) might make shipping more economical overall, say Move.org and SoFi.
Q:What is the cheapest way to ship a car across state?
The cheapest way to ship a car to another state is by using an open transport carrier, which is a large trailer hauling multiple cars, as it spreads costs and is much cheaper than enclosed transport. To save even more, choose terminal-to-terminal service over door-to-door, book in advance, be flexible with dates (off-peak is best), and compare quotes from multiple companies like Montway Auto Transport and Ship a Car Direct, and.
Q:How much does it cost to ship a car to Chicago?
Shipping a car to Chicago costs $650–$1,300, with open carrier rates averaging $0.60–$1.00 per mile. Average transit time to Chicago ranges from 3–8 days, depending on origin city, route congestion, and transport type.
Household Furniture Shipping
Q:How expensive is it to ship a piece of furniture?
Check with a local pro for your specific job. The cost to move furniture depends on the type and weight of your belongings, the distance you're moving, and the shipment method you choose. Local shipping costs between $300 and $800 per piece, while international rates range from $1,000 to $4,500 per item.
Q:What is the cheapest way to send a piece of furniture?
The cheapest way to ship furniture often involves Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight for larger items or sharing space, using bus freight for distance savings if it fits rules, or trying ride-share apps (Dolly, GoShare) for local moves ; for very tight budgets, DIY with a rental truck/U-Haul, or even selling & repurchasing might beat shipping costs. Proper packaging with cardboard, moving blankets, and corner protectors is crucial to avoid damage, which drastically increases costs.
Q:How can I ship a large piece of furniture?
LTL freight shipping
LTL stands for "less than truckload." LTL furniture shipping is a cost-effective way to ship freight items that don't require a full truckload. It's suitable for transporting furniture that is too large for parcel carriers like UPS and FedEx but doesn't require the space of a full truck.
Kitchen & Laundry Movers
Q:How much does it cost to ship an appliance?
How Much Does It Cost To Ship Appliances? In general, for an appliance shipping service, you can expect to pay around $1.81 per mile for shorter trips and $0.59 per mile for longer journeys.
Q:Does Menards offer haul away?
To provide the fastest routes, our Same–Day/Next-Day Delivery service does not accept haul away on appliance or mattress orders.
Q:How to ship a large appliance?
Defrost refrigerators at least 24 hours ahead of time.
Remove and pack all shelves and drawers separately.
Clean and pack ovens, all racks, knobs, and grills separately.
Washers and dryers should have their hoses removed and packed by themselves — with the dryer's drum properly secured.
Professional Piano Movers
Q:What is the average cost to move a piano?
Moving a piano costs about $400 on average. However, costs vary depending on several factors, such as cost per mile (the starting price is about $50), the type of piano (a grand piano is typically high-priced), height and weight, ease of access, and the need for disassembly and reassembly.
Q:Is a piano dolly better than hiring movers?
Lifting such a monstrous piece of equipment is back-breaking work, even if you're only lifting it onto a dolly. Many times, confident homeowners attempt to lift a piano and not only damage the instrument but injure themselves. Next time, err on the side of caution: let professionals handle the heavy lifting instead.
Q:How do I ship my piano to another state?
To ship a piano to another state, hire professional long-distance piano movers for specialized handling, as DIY is risky; they'll typically use custom crating, moving blankets, and climate-controlled trucks, costing $450 to over $2,000+ depending on distance, piano type, and service level, with options for White Glove service or fitting into portable containers like PODS. Key steps involve choosing a specialized mover, getting insurance, crating/blanketing the piano, and arranging for secure transport and delivery.
Heavy Gym Gear Delivery
Q:What is the best way to transport gym equipment?
But make sure they do not get exposed on the trunk. Moving tip protect any moving parts anything that could actually move when it's already put on the truck. Remember not following this tip.
Q:What can I use to move heavy gym equipment?
Furniture sliders are great if you're just trying to get something from one end of a room to another. Moving dollies can be helpful if you're moving a lot of equipment, as this gives you more control and helps you limit damage.
Q:How much does it cost to move an elliptical machine?
Moving an elliptical can cost anywhere from $50 for local help to several hundred dollars for professional movers, depending on distance, disassembly, and if you use specialized fitness movers ($200-$500), general movers ($100-$500), or a junk removal service (starting around $115 for pickup). DIY methods involve truck rentals (e.g., U-Haul, Home Depot) and labor, while professional services handle the heavy lifting, which is safer for stairs.
Bedroom Furniture Transport
Q:How can I ship a mattress cheaply?
What is the cheapest way to ship a mattress? The most affordable option is usually USPS or FedEx Ground, but using a platform like Easyship helps you access deeply discounted rates for large, heavy shipments.
Q:How much does UPS charge to ship mattresses?
The cheapest way to ship a mattress is UPS Ground, which costs ~$130 for short distances (~130 miles) and ~$210 for cross-country shipping. The fastest way to ship a mattress is UPS Next Day Air Early or FedEx First Overnight, with delivery by the next morning for $392-1,520 depending on distance.
Q:How much does a 50 lb package cost to ship?
50 lb package shipping costs: Summary
The cheapest way to ship a 50 lb package using Express services is the USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day, which costs $374.75. The average cost to ship a 50 lb package using Ground services is $83.32. The average cost to ship a 50 lb package using Express services is $462.78.