Ames, IA → Houston, TX · Long-distance move
About 1,005 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,430–$6,590, delivery in 3–7 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 3,257 in Houston.
Moving from Ames to Houston is a long-distance move of roughly 1,005 road miles, heading south from Iowa to Texas.
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 $4,430 to $6,590 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 18 h 2 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 3,257 around Houston (1,374 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 Houston.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Houston about 2.4 million. Houston is the denser city (3,599 people per square mile versus 2,355 in Ames), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Texas levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,770 | $2,160 | $2,630 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,660 | $3,240 | $3,950 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $4,430 | $5,400 | $6,590 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $7,080 | $8,640 | $10,540 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $9,740 | $11,880 | $14,490 |
$1,480–$2,090
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,920–$2,820
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$4,430–$6,590
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Houston, TX. 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: Ceva Contract Logistics US INC
Legal name: Jetco Delivery LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,770 to $2,630 for a studio, $2,660 to $3,950 for a one-bedroom, $4,430 to $6,590 for a two-bedroom, $7,080 to $10,540 for a three-bedroom and $9,740 to $14,490 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,005 road miles (851 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 18 h 2 min.
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 Texas 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 $1,480 to $2,090 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,920 to $2,820. 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–Houston corridor.