Ames, IA → Palmdale, CA · Cross-country move
About 1,672 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,690–$9,950, delivery in 5–10 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 129 in Palmdale.
Moving from Ames to Palmdale is a cross-country move of roughly 1,672 road miles, heading west from Iowa to California.
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 $6,690 to $9,950 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 129 around Palmdale (66 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 Palmdale.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Palmdale about 161,845. Ames is considerably denser (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,597), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. 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 | $3,980 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $4,010 | $4,890 | $5,970 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $6,690 | $8,150 | $9,950 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $10,700 | $13,050 | $15,920 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $14,710 | $17,940 | $21,890 |
$2,320–$3,270
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.
$6,690–$9,950
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Palmdale, 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: Antelope Valley Refrigerating Company
Legal name: Antelope Investment Enterprises INC
Legal name: Av Supplies Distributors INC
Legal name: The King Modular Systems Installation INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,670 to $3,980 for a studio, $4,010 to $5,970 for a one-bedroom, $6,690 to $9,950 for a two-bedroom, $10,700 to $15,920 for a three-bedroom and $14,710 to $21,890 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,672 road miles (1,417 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 $2,320 to $3,270 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–Palmdale corridor.