Ames, IA → Wilmington, NC · Long-distance move
About 1,191 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,840–$7,200, delivery in 3–7 days, 55 carriers on the Ames side and 93 in Wilmington.
Wilmington sits about 1,191 miles southeast of Ames, which makes this an interstate relocation from Iowa to North Carolina that most movers classify as a long-distance 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 $4,840 to $7,200 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 21 h 14 min.
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 93 around Wilmington (53 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 Wilmington.
Ames has a population of about 66,000 and Wilmington about 126,809. The two cities have comparable density (2,355 and 2,246 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,940 | $2,360 | $2,880 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,910 | $3,540 | $4,320 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $4,840 | $5,900 | $7,200 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $7,750 | $9,450 | $11,530 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $10,650 | $12,990 | $15,850 |
$1,670–$2,360
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,080–$3,060
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$4,840–$7,200
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Ames, IA → Wilmington, NC. 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: Anders Williams Trucking Company
Legal name: Coastal Carriers INC
Legal name: T & K Moving INC
Legal name: Nhb Wilmington LLC
Legal name: Just Move It LLC
Legal name: Seadawgs Enterprises INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,940 to $2,880 for a studio, $2,910 to $4,320 for a one-bedroom, $4,840 to $7,200 for a two-bedroom, $7,750 to $11,530 for a three-bedroom and $10,650 to $15,850 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,191 road miles (1,009 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 21 h 14 min.
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 North Carolina 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 $1,670 to $2,360 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,080 to $3,060. 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–Wilmington corridor.