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Ames, IA

Austin, TX → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Austin to Ames

About 994 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,400–$6,550, delivery in 2–5 days, 868 carriers on the Austin side and 55 in Ames.

  • 994 miroad distance
  • 17 h 50 mindriving time
  • 2–5 daysdelivery window
  • $4,400–$6,5502-bedroom estimate
Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 994 miles (842 straight-line)
Drive time
17 h 50 min
Delivery window
2–5 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
868 (241 interstate)
Movers at destination
55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Austin

Ames sits about 994 miles north of Austin, which makes this an interstate relocation from Texas to Iowa 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 $4,400 to $6,550 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 17 h 50 min.

On the Austin side there are 868 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (241 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.

Austin has a population of about 1 million and Ames about 66,000. The two cities have comparable density (3,007 and 2,355 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike Texas, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Austin to Ames

Full-service estimate for 994 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,760 $2,150 $2,620
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $2,640 $3,220 $3,930
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $4,400 $5,370 $6,550
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $7,040 $8,590 $10,480
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $9,680 $11,810 $14,400

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,470–$2,080

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

Portable container

$1,910–$2,800

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

Full-service mover

$4,400–$6,550

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

Moving cost calculator

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

—to—

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 Austin (origin)

Apple Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Apple Moving LLC

USDOT
3538096
MC
1361596
Based in
Austin, TX 78759 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
185 trucks, 120 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (757) 397-1248 Route Verify on FMCSA

Doxa LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2608633
MC
917444
Based in
Austin, TX 78750 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
114 trucks, 78 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (737) 444-7778 Route Verify on FMCSA

Spur Freight Services INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2190438
MC
1544165
Based in
Austin, TX 78753 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
106 trucks, 101 drivers
USDOT registered
2011
Call (866) 250-8589 Route Verify on FMCSA

Aifleet

Licensed interstate

Legal name: The Ai Fleet INC

USDOT
3443025
MC
1118730
Based in
Austin, TX 78701 (2 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
72 trucks, 73 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (737) 937-6883 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lvs Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3903424
MC
1438723
Based in
Austin, TX 78729 (11 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
67 trucks, 67 drivers
USDOT registered
2022
Call (781) 266-7968 Route Verify on FMCSA

Square Cow Moovers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Square Cow Moovers LLC

USDOT
1748594
MC
640166
Based in
Cedar Park, TX 78613 (15 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
62 trucks, 84 drivers
USDOT registered
2008
Call (512) 401-6683 Route Verify on FMCSA

Azuma

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Azuma Leasing LLC

USDOT
4074353
MC
1548580
Based in
Austin, TX 78705 (1 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
39 trucks, 39 drivers
USDOT registered
2023
Call (512) 233-5019 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cadogan Tate Texas Cadogan Tate Austin Cadogan Tate Dallas

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: White Glove Storage And Delivery LLC

USDOT
1598596
MC
591409
Based in
Austin, TX 78744 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
26 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered
2007
Call (512) 490-1500 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 868 movers in Austin

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 Austin

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,760 to $2,620 for a studio, $2,640 to $3,930 for a one-bedroom, $4,400 to $6,550 for a two-bedroom, $7,040 to $10,480 for a three-bedroom and $9,680 to $14,400 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Austin?

About 994 road miles (842 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 17 h 50 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 Texas 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 Austin to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,470 to $2,080 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,910 to $2,800. 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 Austin–Ames corridor.