Ames, IA → Cambridge, MA · Long-distance move
About 1,355 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,860–$8,720, delivery in 3–7 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 490 in Cambridge.
Moving from Ames to Cambridge is a long-distance move of roughly 1,355 road miles, heading east from Iowa to Massachusetts.
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 $5,860 to $8,720 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 24 hours (3 driving days).
On the Ames side there are 55 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (25 of them authorized for interstate work), and 490 around Cambridge (287 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 Cambridge.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Cambridge about 122,588. Cambridge is the denser city (18,500 people per square mile versus 2,355 in Ames), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Massachusetts is a higher-cost state than Iowa, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $2,340 | $2,860 | $3,490 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,520 | $4,290 | $5,230 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $5,860 | $7,150 | $8,720 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $9,380 | $11,440 | $13,950 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $12,890 | $15,720 | $19,180 |
$1,990–$2,810
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,230–$3,280
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$5,860–$8,720
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Cambridge, MA. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Central Iowa Towing And Recovery INC
Legal name: Myers & Associates LLC
Legal name: Gentle Giant Interstate Company LLC
Legal name: Spike INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,340 to $3,490 for a studio, $3,520 to $5,230 for a one-bedroom, $5,860 to $8,720 for a two-bedroom, $9,380 to $13,950 for a three-bedroom and $12,890 to $19,180 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,355 road miles (1,149 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 24 hours (3 driving days).
Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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.
Yes. Crossing from Iowa into Massachusetts 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,990 to $2,810 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,230 to $3,280. 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.
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 Ames–Cambridge corridor.