Blacksburg, VA → Ames, IA · Long-distance move
About 915 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,370–$6,500, delivery in 2–5 days, 80 carriers on the Blacksburg side and 55 in Ames.
Moving from Blacksburg to Ames is a long-distance move of roughly 915 road miles, heading northwest from Virginia 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 $4,370 to $6,500 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 29 min.
On the Blacksburg side there are 80 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (61 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.
Blacksburg has a population of about 45,000 and Ames about 66,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,264 and 2,355 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Virginia, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,750 | $2,130 | $2,600 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,620 | $3,200 | $3,900 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $4,370 | $5,330 | $6,500 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $6,990 | $8,520 | $10,400 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $9,610 | $11,720 | $14,300 |
$1,390–$1,960
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,840–$2,700
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$4,370–$6,500
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Blacksburg, VA → Ames, IA. 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: Relocation Benefits LLC
Legal name: Swva Services Group LLC
Legal name: Lawrence Transportation Systems INC
Legal name: Central Iowa Towing And Recovery INC
Legal name: Myers & Associates LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,750 to $2,600 for a studio, $2,620 to $3,900 for a one-bedroom, $4,370 to $6,500 for a two-bedroom, $6,990 to $10,400 for a three-bedroom and $9,610 to $14,300 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 915 road miles (775 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 16 h 29 min.
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.
Yes. Crossing from Virginia 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,390 to $1,960 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,840 to $2,700. 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 Blacksburg–Ames corridor.