Ames, IA → Key West, FL · Cross-country move
About 1,633 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,920–$8,810, delivery in 5–10 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 7 in Key West.
Key West sits about 1,633 miles southeast of Ames, which makes this an interstate relocation from Iowa to Florida that most movers classify as a cross-country 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 $5,920 to $8,810 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 28 hours (4 driving days).
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 7 around Key West (2 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 Key West.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Key West about 25,000. Key West is the denser city (4,723 people per square mile versus 2,355 in Ames), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Florida is a higher-cost state than Iowa, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. Florida 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 | $2,370 | $2,890 | $3,520 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,550 | $4,330 | $5,290 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $5,920 | $7,220 | $8,810 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $9,470 | $11,550 | $14,100 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $13,030 | $15,890 | $19,380 |
$2,280–$3,220
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,480–$3,640
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$5,920–$8,810
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Key West, FL. 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: Arnolds Auto And Marine Repair INC
Legal name: Box And Go
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,370 to $3,520 for a studio, $3,550 to $5,290 for a one-bedroom, $5,920 to $8,810 for a two-bedroom, $9,470 to $14,100 for a three-bedroom and $13,030 to $19,380 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,633 road miles (1,384 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 28 hours (4 driving days).
Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 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 Florida 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 $2,280 to $3,220 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,480 to $3,640. 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–Key West corridor.