Ames, IA → Palm Bay, FL · Long-distance move
About 1,433 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,550–$8,260, delivery in 3–7 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 105 in Palm Bay.
The route from Ames, IA to Palm Bay, FL covers roughly 1,433 miles by road, a southeast-bound trip that falls into the long-distance 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 $5,550 to $8,260 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 25 hours (3 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 105 around Palm Bay (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 Palm Bay.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Palm Bay about 148,092. Ames is considerably denser (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,386), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. 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 | $2,220 | $2,710 | $3,310 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,330 | $4,060 | $4,960 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $5,550 | $6,770 | $8,260 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $8,890 | $10,840 | $13,220 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $12,220 | $14,900 | $18,180 |
$2,070–$2,930
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,300–$3,380
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$5,550–$8,260
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Palm Bay, 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: S7even LLC
Legal name: Tmt Brevard INC
Legal name: Pro Protection INC
Legal name: Raymond Oneil Bhalai
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,220 to $3,310 for a studio, $3,330 to $4,960 for a one-bedroom, $5,550 to $8,260 for a two-bedroom, $8,890 to $13,220 for a three-bedroom and $12,220 to $18,180 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,433 road miles (1,214 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 25 hours (3 driving days).
Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 $2,070 to $2,930 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,300 to $3,380. 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–Palm Bay corridor.