Shipping Cost from Des Moines, Iowa to San Diego, California
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 San Diego, California? The distance is approximately 1,428 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
1,428 miles
Transit Time
3 business days via FedEx
Route Type
domestic
Available Shipping Options
Cheapest Option
$141.33 via UPS
Fastest Option
1 day via UPS
UPS
Ground
Transit Time
6 days
Price
$141.33
FedEx
RecommendedEconomy Air
Transit Time
3 days
Price
$205.11
Estes Express
LTL Economy
Transit Time
7 days
Price
$210.51
Old Dominion
LTL Freight
Transit Time
6 days
Price
$227.26
XPO Logistics
LTL Freight
Transit Time
5 days
Price
$239.22
FedEx
Express Air
Transit Time
1 day
Price
$297.04
UPS
Next Day Air
Transit Time
1 day
Price
$326.74
About Shipping from Des Moines, Iowa to San Diego, California
When shipping from Des Moines, Iowa to San Diego, California, 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.
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 San Diego, California?
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 San Diego, California
Car Delivery Options
Q:How much to ship a car from Iowa to San Diego?
The cost to ship a car will tend to fluctuate within specific ranges; for example, transporting a car from Des Moines, IA to Los Angeles, CA could cost between $753.00 and $1,177.00, while shipping your car from Cedar Rapids, IA to San Diego, CA might be priced between $840.00 and $1,311.00.
Q:Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car?
Budget: The shorter the distance, the more cost-effective it is to drive instead of ship your car. Regardless of the total distance, look at your total moving budget and how much you can afford to spend on car shipping services compared to a cross-country drive.
Q:Is it cheaper to ship a car by train or truck?
If you need to ship your car to the other side of the country – train shipping will be more economical. If you need fast delivery right to your place – shipping by truck will be your best option.
Furniture Transport Options
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:What is the best way to ship a large piece of furniture?
The cheapest way to ship a piece of furniture is typically to use parcel services for smaller items and consider a freight shipping service like LTL for oversized items. If you're making a one-time shipment in your local market, consider renting a moving van and transporting the furniture yourself.
Major Appliance Transport
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:What is the cheapest way to ship to California?
If your parcel is over 15lbs, Ground Drop Off is the cheapest way to ship large or heavy items to California. Also available as a pick-up and delivery service. This popular USPS service is available to book at a discounted rate through Parcel Monkey and is ideal for shipping small packages.
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.
Piano Shipping Services
Q:How much does it cost to move a piano in San Diego?
The average cost of San Diego piano movers is between $300 and $600.
Q:How much does it cost to have movers move a piano?
Piano moving costs typically range from $200-$400 for a simple local upright move to $1,000-$2,000 or more for a grand piano across long distances, with factors like stairs, distance (often $1.50-$10/mile), piano size, and obstacles (e.g., tight turns, elevators) adding significant fees ($5-$240+ per stair/obstacle). Expect a minimum cost of around $250-$300, even for short moves.
Q:How much to transport an upright piano?
Moving an upright piano locally typically costs $150 to $650, but can range from $200-$450 for simple moves, while longer distances or difficult access (stairs, tight turns) increase costs significantly, potentially reaching $500 to over $1,000, with long-distance moves often $500-$2,500+. Key factors affecting price include distance, stairs (expect $5-$10 per step), accessibility, piano size, and whether specialized movers or equipment are needed.
Exercise Machine Transport
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:Who is the best out of state moving company?
Allied Van Lines: Best overall long-distance moving company. Best overall. ...
Colonial Van Lines: Best-trained movers. ...
American Van Lines: Best value. ...
United Van Lines: No deposit required. ...
Mayzlin Relocation: Best discounts. ...
Mayflower: Best for full-service moves. ...
North American Van Lines: Best for customizable services.
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.
Mattress Moving Options
Q:How expensive is it to ship a mattress?
Shipping a mattress is expensive, often costing $150 to over $400 for ground shipping depending on carrier, distance, and weight, with major carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS charging hefty oversized fees (e.g., $100+ for USPS/FedEx) for large items, while specialized freight or White Glove services can run $1,000+ for door-to-door care, making it sometimes cheaper to replace it, notes Easyship, TSI Shipping, purple.com, PlushBeds, ClickPost.
Q:Can UPS ship a mattress?
Traditional carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS often provide the most cost-effective mattress shipping options. These carriers offer various service tiers, from economical ground shipping to premium express delivery.
Q:How to ship a mattress from state to state?
Comments Section USPS, FedEx and UPS can ship mattresses. It's just expensive. You need a heavy duty mattress shipping box plus a mattress bag. And it needs to be sealed well. It's going to be handled roughly, If the box comes apart, the mattress will likely be ruined. That would be your fault, not the shipper.