Carbondale, IL → Ames, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Carbondale to Ames

About 446 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,160–$4,700, delivery in 1–3 days, 34 carriers on the Carbondale side and 55 in Ames.

446 miroad distance
8 h 23 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$3,160–$4,7002-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Carbondale, Illinois
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 446 miles (378 straight-line)
Drive time: 8 h 23 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 34 (24 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Carbondale

Ames sits about 446 miles northwest of Carbondale, which makes this an interstate relocation from Illinois to Iowa that most movers classify as a regional 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 $3,160 to $4,700 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 8 h 23 min.

On the Carbondale side there are 34 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (24 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.

Carbondale has a population of about 22,000 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,435 in Carbondale), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Illinois, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Carbondale to Ames

Full-service estimate for 446 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,260	$1,540	$1,880
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,890	$2,310	$2,820
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,160	$3,850	$4,700
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$5,050	$6,160	$7,510
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$6,940	$8,470	$10,330

Rental truck (DIY)

$610–$860

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

Portable container

$1,420–$2,090

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

Full-service mover

$3,160–$4,700

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Carbondale, IL → 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 Carbondale (origin)

Shawnee Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 214203
MC: 160321
Based in: Herrin, IL 62948 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 55 trucks, 58 drivers
USDOT registered: 1982

Call (618) 988-1621 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bost Truck Service INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 124296
MC: 36854
Based in: Murphsboro, IL 62966 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (618) 684-3166 Route Verify on FMCSA

L & D Trucking Company

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 78400
MC: 227559
Based in: Carbondale, IL 62901 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (618) 351-1616 Route Verify on FMCSA

Burford Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Burford Trucking LLC

USDOT: 709405
MC: 327994
Based in: Zeigler, IL 62999 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (618) 579-8587 Route Verify on FMCSA

Universal Moving Solutions INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2273061
MC: 776313
Based in: Herrin, IL 62948 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (618) 942-2994 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ma Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Mohammad Ali Agha

USDOT: 831830
MC: 365197
Based in: Murphysboro, IL 62966 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (618) 565-1306 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Four Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4345279
MC: 1698307
Based in: Herrin, IL 62948 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (618) 253-9275 Route Verify on FMCSA

Howling Mad Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3330971
MC: 1061482
Based in: Zeigler, IL 62999 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (618) 751-5577 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 34 movers in Carbondale

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 Carbondale

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,260 to $1,880 for a studio, $1,890 to $2,820 for a one-bedroom, $3,160 to $4,700 for a two-bedroom, $5,050 to $7,510 for a three-bedroom and $6,940 to $10,330 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Carbondale?

About 446 road miles (378 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 8 h 23 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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 Illinois 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 Carbondale to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $610 to $860 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,420 to $2,090. 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 Carbondale–Ames corridor.