Ames, IA → Seattle, WA · Cross-country move
About 1,712 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,450–$9,590, delivery in 5–10 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 1,037 in Seattle.
The route from Ames, IA to Seattle, WA covers roughly 1,712 miles by road, a northwest-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 $6,450 to $9,590 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 1,037 around Seattle (440 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 Seattle.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Seattle about 784,777. Seattle is the denser city (8,795 people per square mile versus 2,355 in Ames), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. 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 | $2,580 | $3,140 | $3,840 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,870 | $4,720 | $5,750 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $6,450 | $7,860 | $9,590 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $10,310 | $12,580 | $15,340 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $14,180 | $17,290 | $21,100 |
$2,360–$3,330
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,550–$3,750
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$6,450–$9,590
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Seattle, 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: Savanah Logistics LLC
Legal name: Hansen Bros Transfer & Storage Company INC
Legal name: Butchie Boy Productions INC
Legal name: Tmsb LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,580 to $3,840 for a studio, $3,870 to $5,750 for a one-bedroom, $6,450 to $9,590 for a two-bedroom, $10,310 to $15,340 for a three-bedroom and $14,180 to $21,100 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,712 road miles (1,451 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 $2,360 to $3,330 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,550 to $3,750. 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–Seattle corridor.