Ames, IA → Grand Junction, CO · Long-distance move
About 955 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,530–$6,750, delivery in 2–5 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 67 in Grand Junction.
Grand Junction sits about 955 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 $4,530 to $6,750 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 17 h 10 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 67 around Grand Junction (30 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 Grand Junction.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Grand Junction about 70,000. Ames is considerably denser (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,614), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. 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 | $1,810 | $2,210 | $2,700 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,720 | $3,320 | $4,050 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $4,530 | $5,530 | $6,750 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $7,250 | $8,850 | $10,790 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $9,970 | $12,160 | $14,840 |
$1,430–$2,020
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,870–$2,750
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$4,530–$6,750
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Grand Junction, 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: Mesa Moving And Storage Salt Lake LLC
Legal name: Mesa Moving And Storage Denver LLC
Legal name: Mesa Moving And Storage Boise LLC
Legal name: Mesa Moving And Storage Gj LLC
Legal name: Mesa Moving And Storage Bozeman LLC
Legal name: Mesa Moving And Storage Helena LLC
Legal name: Mesa Moving And Storage Whitefish LLC
Legal name: Tmt Grand Junction LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,810 to $2,700 for a studio, $2,720 to $4,050 for a one-bedroom, $4,530 to $6,750 for a two-bedroom, $7,250 to $10,790 for a three-bedroom and $9,970 to $14,840 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 955 road miles (809 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 17 h 10 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 $1,430 to $2,020 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,870 to $2,750. 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–Grand Junction corridor.