Ames, IA → Lakewood, CO · Long-distance move
About 733 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,980–$5,920, delivery in 2–5 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 1,122 in Lakewood.
Moving from Ames to Lakewood is a long-distance move of roughly 733 road miles, heading west from Iowa to Colorado.
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 $3,980 to $5,920 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 13 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 1,122 around Lakewood (405 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 Lakewood.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Lakewood about 156,927. Lakewood is the denser city (3,586 people per square mile versus 2,355 in Ames), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. 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 | $1,590 | $1,940 | $2,370 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,390 | $2,910 | $3,550 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $3,980 | $4,850 | $5,920 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $6,370 | $7,770 | $9,470 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $8,760 | $10,680 | $13,030 |
$1,050–$1,490
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,670–$2,460
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$3,980–$5,920
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Lakewood, 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: Western Distributing Company
Legal name: Private First Class Worldwide Chauffeured Service LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,590 to $2,370 for a studio, $2,390 to $3,550 for a one-bedroom, $3,980 to $5,920 for a two-bedroom, $6,370 to $9,470 for a three-bedroom and $8,760 to $13,030 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 733 road miles (621 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 13 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 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 $1,050 to $1,490 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,670 to $2,460. 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–Lakewood corridor.