Ames, IA → Ontario, CA · Cross-country move
About 1,665 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,670–$9,930, delivery in 5–10 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 1,156 in Ontario.
The route from Ames, IA to Ontario, CA covers roughly 1,665 miles by road, a west-bound trip that falls into the cross-country move category for pricing purposes.
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 $6,670 to $9,930 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 29 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 1,156 around Ontario (612 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 Ontario.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Ontario about 187,013. Ontario is the denser city (3,505 people per square mile versus 2,355 in Ames), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. California 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 | $2,670 | $3,260 | $3,970 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $4,000 | $4,880 | $5,960 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $6,670 | $8,140 | $9,930 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $10,680 | $13,020 | $15,890 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $14,680 | $17,910 | $21,850 |
$2,310–$3,260
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,510–$3,690
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$6,670–$9,930
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Ontario, CA. 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: Total Transportation Logistics INC
Legal name: Scoc Services INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,670 to $3,970 for a studio, $4,000 to $5,960 for a one-bedroom, $6,670 to $9,930 for a two-bedroom, $10,680 to $15,890 for a three-bedroom and $14,680 to $21,850 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,665 road miles (1,411 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 29 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 California 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 $2,310 to $3,260 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,510 to $3,690. 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–Ontario corridor.