Ames, IA

Abilene, TX → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Abilene to Ames

About 875 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,120–$6,130, delivery in 2–5 days, 44 carriers on the Abilene side and 55 in Ames.

  • 875 miroad distance
  • 15 h 47 mindriving time
  • 2–5 daysdelivery window
  • $4,120–$6,1302-bedroom estimate
Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 875 miles (742 straight-line)
Drive time
15 h 47 min
Delivery window
2–5 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
44 (14 interstate)
Movers at destination
55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Abilene

The route from Abilene, TX to Ames, IA covers roughly 875 miles by road, a northeast-bound trip that falls into the long-distance move category for pricing purposes.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $4,120 to $6,130 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 15 h 47 min.

On the Abilene side there are 44 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (14 of them authorized for interstate work), and 55 around Ames (25 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Ames.

Abilene has a population of about 131,588 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,173 in Abilene), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike Texas, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Abilene to Ames

Full-service estimate for 875 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,650 $2,010 $2,450
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $2,470 $3,010 $3,680
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $4,120 $5,020 $6,130
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $6,590 $8,040 $9,800
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $9,060 $11,050 $13,480

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,200–$1,690

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,800–$2,650

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$4,120–$6,130

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Abilene, TX → Ames, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Abilene (origin)

Arim Forwarding INC

Interstate carrier
USDOT
278906
Based in
Abilene, TX 79601 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
5 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
1986

Emmabuz LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4074734
MC
1548815
Based in
Abilene, TX 79606 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2023

Heavy Motion Transport LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3813269
MC
1377020
Based in
Abilene, TX 79602 (9 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2022

Hhh&n LLC

Interstate carrier
USDOT
3668944
MC
1271457
Based in
Abilene, TX 79601 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2021

Faderah Group LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4409948
MC
1768741
Based in
Abilene, TX 79601 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2025

Bwj Properties LLC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
2837315
MC
1079840
Based in
Abilene, TX 79601 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2016

Prime Pace Solutions LLC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
4500911
Based in
Abilene, TX 79601 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2025

Complete Moving And Storage Of Abilene INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
2077019
Based in
Abilene, TX 79602 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
4 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
2010

All 44 movers in Abilene

Near Ames (destination)

Central Iowa Towing And Recovery

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2359315
MC
1349765
Based in
Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
88 trucks, 79 drivers
USDOT registered
2012

Hemmen Moving INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
608245
MC
292343
Based in
Ames, IA 50014 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
8 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
1995

J T L Transport LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2528339
MC
887466
Based in
Randall, IA 50231 (15 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2014

V&c Express Corp

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3635053
MC
1246860
Based in
Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2021

Combined Relocation Services LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1666941
MC
709641
Based in
Huxley, IA 50124 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2007

Alex Moving LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4346742
MC
1699031
Based in
Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2025

Property Service Agency LLC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
1433739
Based in
Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2005

M&a Moving And Hauling

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
2340775
Based in
Madrid, IA 50156 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered
2012

All 55 movers in Ames

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Abilene to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,650 to $2,450 for a studio, $2,470 to $3,680 for a one-bedroom, $4,120 to $6,130 for a two-bedroom, $6,590 to $9,800 for a three-bedroom and $9,060 to $13,480 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Abilene?

About 875 road miles (742 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 15 h 47 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Texas into Iowa makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Abilene to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,200 to $1,690 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,800 to $2,650. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Abilene–Ames corridor.