Carson City, NV → Ames, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Carson City to Ames

About 1,628 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,000–$8,930, delivery in 5–10 days, 32 carriers on the Carson City side and 55 in Ames.

1,628 miroad distance
28 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,000–$8,9302-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Carson City, Nevada
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,628 miles (1,380 straight-line)
Drive time: 28 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 32 (23 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Carson City

The route from Carson City, NV to Ames, IA covers roughly 1,628 miles by road, a east-bound trip that falls into the cross-country move category for pricing purposes.

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 $6,000 to $8,930 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 28 hours (4 driving days).

On the Carson City side there are 32 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (23 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.

Carson City has a population of about 59,000 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 406 in Carson City), 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 Nevada, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike Nevada, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Carson City to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,628 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,400	$2,930	$3,570
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,600	$4,390	$5,360
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,000	$7,320	$8,930
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$9,610	$11,720	$14,290
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$13,210	$16,110	$19,650

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,270–$3,210

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

Portable container

$2,470–$3,640

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

Full-service mover

$6,000–$8,930

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Carson City, NV → 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 Carson City (origin)

Gentle Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: A & B Relocations INC

USDOT: 4164289
MC: 1600731
Based in: Carson City, NV 89705 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (559) 547-5704 Route Verify on FMCSA

Empire Contractors & Empire Waste Systems

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Empire Contractors INC

USDOT: 1707107
Based in: Incline Village, NV 89451 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (775) 831-2246 Route Verify on FMCSA

Marty'S Appliance

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 3099902
Based in: Minden, NV 89423 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (775) 782-5099 Route Verify on FMCSA

C&t Consulting Agency LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4512928
MC: 1786930
Based in: Carson City, NV 89701 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (909) 720-9588 Route Verify on FMCSA

Minutemen Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3802718
MC: 1369347
Based in: Washoe Valley, NV 89704 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (775) 541-8305 Route Verify on FMCSA

Vogts Logistics And Truck Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3948186
MC: 1468493
Based in: Carson City, NV 89701 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (775) 297-9473 Route Verify on FMCSA

All Out Movers LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4176145
MC: 1607125
Based in: Carson City, NV 89701 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (775) 315-9840 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rapid Car Sales & Service INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4563432
MC: 1814154
Based in: Carson City, NV 89701 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (321) 303-5705 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 32 movers in Carson City

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 Carson City

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Carson City to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,400 to $3,570 for a studio, $3,600 to $5,360 for a one-bedroom, $6,000 to $8,930 for a two-bedroom, $9,610 to $14,290 for a three-bedroom and $13,210 to $19,650 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Carson City?

About 1,628 road miles (1,380 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 28 hours (4 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 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 Nevada 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 Carson City to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,270 to $3,210 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,470 to $3,640. 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 Carson City–Ames corridor.