Ames, IA → Garden City, KS · Long-distance move
About 559 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,280–$4,880, delivery in 2–5 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 19 in Garden City.
The route from Ames, IA to Garden City, KS covers roughly 559 miles by road, a southwest-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 $3,280 to $4,880 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 10 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 19 around Garden City (13 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 Garden City.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Garden City about 28,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,355 and 2,557 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,310 | $1,600 | $1,950 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,970 | $2,400 | $2,930 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $3,280 | $4,000 | $4,880 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $5,250 | $6,400 | $7,810 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $7,220 | $8,800 | $10,740 |
$870–$1,230
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,520–$2,230
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$3,280–$4,880
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Garden City, KS. 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: Matthew J Bribiesca
Legal name: Hendersons Delivery And Service Solutions LLC
Legal name: Nicholas Matthew Smith
Legal name: R D Norris INC
Legal name: Yatsa Morgan
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,310 to $1,950 for a studio, $1,970 to $2,930 for a one-bedroom, $3,280 to $4,880 for a two-bedroom, $5,250 to $7,810 for a three-bedroom and $7,220 to $10,740 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 559 road miles (474 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 10 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 Kansas 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 $870 to $1,230 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,520 to $2,230. 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–Garden City corridor.