Athens, GA → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Athens to Ames

About 930 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,250–$6,320, delivery in 2–5 days, 312 carriers on the Athens side and 55 in Ames.

930 miroad distance
16 h 44 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$4,250–$6,3202-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Athens, Georgia
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 930 miles (788 straight-line)
Drive time: 16 h 44 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 312 (166 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Athens

Moving from Athens to Ames is a long-distance move of roughly 930 road miles, heading northwest from Georgia to Iowa.

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 $4,250 to $6,320 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 16 h 44 min.

On the Athens side there are 312 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (166 of them authorized for interstate work), and 55 around Ames (25 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 Ames.

Athens has a population of about 128,612 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,095 in Athens), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Athens to Ames

Full-service estimate for 930 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,700	$2,070	$2,530
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,550	$3,110	$3,790
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$4,250	$5,180	$6,320
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$6,800	$8,290	$10,110
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$9,350	$11,400	$13,910

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,410–$1,980

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,850–$2,720

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$4,250–$6,320

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Athens, GA → Ames, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Athens (origin)

Lindsay Transfer & Storage INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 830257
MC: 468785
Based in: Bogart, GA 30622 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (706) 549-8902 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: The Keeling Group LLC

USDOT: 1142555
MC: 454168
Based in: Athens, GA 30606 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (706) 227-4100 Route Verify on FMCSA

University Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Gee Transport INC

USDOT: 864502
MC: 667732
Based in: Athens, GA 30607 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (706) 353-1141 Route Verify on FMCSA

Puff Land

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Crawford Handling LLC

USDOT: 4253552
MC: 1649165
Based in: Athens, GA 30606 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (706) 201-6674 Route Verify on FMCSA

Wood Truck Lines LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1810822
MC: 676733
Based in: Athens, GA 30607 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (706) 354-8948 Route Verify on FMCSA

Duncan Transportation Service LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2056835
MC: 719961
Based in: Bogart, GA 30622 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (706) 424-6740 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck Albany

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Sullivan Brothers Ventures INC

USDOT: 4339831
MC: 1728857
Based in: Athens, GA 30606 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (229) 329-8100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cooper Transport Logistics

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3965988
MC: 1480525
Based in: Athens, GA 30601 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (706) 352-1434 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 312 movers in Athens

Near Ames (destination)

Central Iowa Towing And Recovery

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Central Iowa Towing And Recovery INC

USDOT: 2359315
MC: 1349765
Based in: Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 88 trucks, 79 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (515) 290-4188 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hemmen Moving INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 608245
MC: 292343
Based in: Ames, IA 50014 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (515) 268-9090 Route Verify on FMCSA

J T L Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2528339
MC: 887466
Based in: Randall, IA 50231 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (515) 669-1891 Route Verify on FMCSA

V&c Express Corp

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3635053
MC: 1246860
Based in: Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (904) 418-8009 Route Verify on FMCSA

Combined Relocation Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1666941
MC: 709641
Based in: Huxley, IA 50124 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (515) 276-6674 Route Verify on FMCSA

Alex Moving LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4346742
MC: 1699031
Based in: Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (515) 817-4521 Route Verify on FMCSA

Property Service Agency LLC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 1433739
Based in: Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (515) 233-1922 Route Verify on FMCSA

M&a Moving And Hauling

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Myers & Associates LLC

USDOT: 2340775
Based in: Madrid, IA 50156 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (515) 795-3676 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 55 movers in Ames

Related routes

Other destinations from Athens

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Athens to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,700 to $2,530 for a studio, $2,550 to $3,790 for a one-bedroom, $4,250 to $6,320 for a two-bedroom, $6,800 to $10,110 for a three-bedroom and $9,350 to $13,910 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Athens?

About 930 road miles (788 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 16 h 44 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Georgia into Iowa 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.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Athens to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,410 to $1,980 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,850 to $2,720. 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.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

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 Athens–Ames corridor.