Planning a driveaway from Des Moines to Phoenix
Last updated: July 27, 2026
A Des Moines to Phoenix driveaway is about 1,450 miles and 3 to 4 days. SelectDrive's illustrative day-rate model produces about $2,300 to $2,700 for a gas vehicle. This page is route planning information, not an offer of currently active interstate transportation.
Planning status as of July 27, 2026: SelectDrive is accepting route details for planning estimates only while its federal interstate operating authority is pending. No interstate for-hire move will start until the required operating authority is granted and active, and the specific trip has current insurance, vehicle, driver, and signed agreement approvals. A pet that travels well may accompany the vehicle it belongs to, and ordinary belongings that fit safely below the window line may be accommodated, but both require advance disclosure and written approval in the trip agreement. Approval is separate from the price estimate and is never automatic. These accommodations are incidental to delivering the vehicle. SelectDrive does not offer household goods moving, standalone goods delivery, or standalone pet transport. No person may ever travel in the vehicle.
The Des Moines to Phoenix route
The Des Moines to Phoenix route runs southwest through Kansas and New Mexico, about 1,450 miles and three to four days for one driver at a safe daily pace. It is a popular snowbird and relocation lane.
Planning cost for this lane
Driver pay is $450 per day, billed in half-day increments with a one-day floor. A planning day is about 8 driving hours or roughly 500 miles. This gas-vehicle worksheet uses fuel at about $0.18 per mile, tolls at about $0.02 per mile, lodging at $120 per night, and an insurance surcharge at 8 percent of driver pay.
| Driver pay (3 days at $450 per day) | $1,350 |
| Gas fuel planning amount (1,450 mi at about $0.18 per mile) | $261 |
| Tolls planning amount (about $0.02 per mile) | $29 |
| Lodging planning amount (2 nights at $120) | $240 |
| Insurance surcharge (8 percent of driver pay) | $108 |
| Positioning, cheaper feasible round-trip drop-off or flight plus ground transport | Itemized from exact addresses |
| Illustrative gas-vehicle total | $2,300 to $2,700 |
Electric vehicle note: Charging is billed at documented actual cost with receipts, not the gas fuel planning amount shown above. The exact vehicle and battery affect highway range and trip duration, and an EV usually takes longer on the same route because of charging stops.
Planning estimate only. A future written quote would use exact addresses and then-current approved terms. No price or date is offered or reserved while interstate authority is pending. Plan another route.
Why driveaway for this lane
Phoenix is a top winter destination for Midwest snowbirds. A future approved driveaway could let the customer fly while an assigned driver handles the car. Any pet or ordinary belongings would require advance written trip approval, and no person may ever travel in the vehicle. See snowbird car shipping planning.
Frequently asked questions
What is a planning estimate for a Des Moines to Phoenix driveaway?
The route is about 1,450 miles. Under the day-rate model, an illustrative gas-vehicle total is about 2,300 to 2,700 USD, including route-specific positioning. Driver pay is 450 USD per day in half-day increments with a one-day floor. For an electric vehicle, charging is billed at documented actual cost with receipts instead of the gas fuel allowance. This is not a booking quote, and interstate service is not active while required operating authority is pending.
How long does the Des Moines to Phoenix drive take?
A planning schedule is about 3 to 4 days using about 8 driving hours or roughly 500 miles per day with overnight stops. An electric vehicle may take longer because charging stops depend on the exact vehicle and battery.
Related
Considering a Des Moines to Phoenix move?
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