Ames, IA → Jonesboro, AR · Long-distance move
About 539 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,180–$4,740, delivery in 2–5 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 42 in Jonesboro.
Moving from Ames to Jonesboro is a long-distance move of roughly 539 road miles, heading south from Iowa to Arkansas.
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 $3,180 to $4,740 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.
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 42 around Jonesboro (29 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 Jonesboro.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Jonesboro about 81,000. Ames is considerably denser (2,355 people per square mile versus 980), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,270 | $1,550 | $1,890 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,910 | $2,330 | $2,840 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $3,180 | $3,880 | $4,740 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $5,090 | $6,210 | $7,580 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $7,000 | $8,540 | $10,420 |
$850–$1,210
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,500–$2,210
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$3,180–$4,740
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Jonesboro, AR. 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: 3 Cooper Farms INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,270 to $1,890 for a studio, $1,910 to $2,840 for a one-bedroom, $3,180 to $4,740 for a two-bedroom, $5,090 to $7,580 for a three-bedroom and $7,000 to $10,420 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 539 road miles (457 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 10 h.
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 Arkansas 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 $850 to $1,210 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,500 to $2,210. 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–Jonesboro corridor.