Ames, IA → Columbus, OH · Long-distance move
About 675 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,590–$5,340, delivery in 2–5 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 854 in Columbus.
The route from Ames, IA to Columbus, OH covers roughly 675 miles by road, a east-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 $3,590 to $5,340 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 12 h 20 min.
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 854 around Columbus (547 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 Columbus.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Columbus about 938,396. Columbus is the denser city (4,117 people per square mile versus 2,355 in Ames), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,440 | $1,750 | $2,140 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,150 | $2,630 | $3,200 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $3,590 | $4,380 | $5,340 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $5,740 | $7,000 | $8,540 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $7,890 | $9,630 | $11,740 |
$990–$1,400
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,620–$2,390
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$3,590–$5,340
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Columbus, OH. 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: Faf LLC
Legal name: J Boren & Son'S Trucking INC
Legal name: Ag Container Transport LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,440 to $2,140 for a studio, $2,150 to $3,200 for a one-bedroom, $3,590 to $5,340 for a two-bedroom, $5,740 to $8,540 for a three-bedroom and $7,890 to $11,740 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 675 road miles (572 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 12 h 20 min.
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.
Yes. Crossing from Iowa into Ohio 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 $990 to $1,400 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,620 to $2,390. 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–Columbus corridor.