Ames, IA → Fort Collins, CO · Long-distance move
About 711 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,930–$5,840, delivery in 2–5 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 104 in Fort Collins.
Fort Collins sits about 711 miles west of Ames, which makes this an interstate relocation from Iowa to Colorado that most movers classify as a long-distance move.
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 $3,930 to $5,840 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 58 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 104 around Fort Collins (46 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 Fort Collins.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Fort Collins about 171,500. The two cities have comparable density (2,355 and 2,969 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Colorado 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 | $1,570 | $1,910 | $2,340 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,360 | $2,870 | $3,500 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $3,930 | $4,790 | $5,840 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $6,280 | $7,660 | $9,340 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $8,640 | $10,530 | $12,850 |
$1,030–$1,450
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,650–$2,430
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$3,930–$5,840
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Fort Collins, CO. 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: Loveland Logistics LLC
Legal name: Peak 14 Moving LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,570 to $2,340 for a studio, $2,360 to $3,500 for a one-bedroom, $3,930 to $5,840 for a two-bedroom, $6,280 to $9,340 for a three-bedroom and $8,640 to $12,850 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 711 road miles (602 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 12 h 58 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 Colorado 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 $1,030 to $1,450 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,650 to $2,430. 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–Fort Collins corridor.