Ames, IA → Olympia, WA · Cross-country move
About 1,739 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,490–$9,660, delivery in 5–10 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 101 in Olympia.
Olympia sits about 1,739 miles northwest of Ames, which makes this an interstate relocation from Iowa to Washington 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 $6,490 to $9,660 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 30 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 101 around Olympia (46 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 Olympia.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Olympia about 57,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,355 and 3,052 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Washington is a higher-cost state than Iowa, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. Washington 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 | $2,600 | $3,170 | $3,860 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,890 | $4,750 | $5,790 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $6,490 | $7,910 | $9,660 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $10,380 | $12,660 | $15,450 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $14,280 | $17,410 | $21,240 |
$2,390–$3,370
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,570–$3,780
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$6,490–$9,660
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Olympia, WA. 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 Transfer Of Washington LLC
Legal name: Merchants Parcel Delivery INC
Legal name: All Ready Moving LLC
Legal name: Sound Sleep Products INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,600 to $3,860 for a studio, $3,890 to $5,790 for a one-bedroom, $6,490 to $9,660 for a two-bedroom, $10,380 to $15,450 for a three-bedroom and $14,280 to $21,240 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,739 road miles (1,474 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 30 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 Washington 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 $2,390 to $3,370 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,570 to $3,780. 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–Olympia corridor.