Ames, IA → Nashville, TN · Long-distance move
About 644 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,520–$5,230, delivery in 2–5 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 478 in Nashville.
Moving from Ames to Nashville is a long-distance move of roughly 644 road miles, heading southeast from Iowa to Tennessee.
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 $3,520 to $5,230 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 11 h 48 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 478 around Nashville (295 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 Nashville.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Nashville about 721,074. Ames is considerably denser (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,449), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Tennessee 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 | $1,410 | $1,710 | $2,090 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,110 | $2,570 | $3,140 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $3,520 | $4,290 | $5,230 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $5,620 | $6,860 | $8,370 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $7,730 | $9,430 | $11,510 |
$960–$1,360
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,590–$2,350
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$3,520–$5,230
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Nashville, TN. 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: Temperature Controlled Express INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,410 to $2,090 for a studio, $2,110 to $3,140 for a one-bedroom, $3,520 to $5,230 for a two-bedroom, $5,620 to $8,370 for a three-bedroom and $7,730 to $11,510 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 644 road miles (546 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 11 h 48 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 Tennessee 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 $960 to $1,360 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,590 to $2,350. 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–Nashville corridor.