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Ames, IA

Charleston, SC → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Charleston to Ames

About 1,156 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,710–$7,010, delivery in 3–7 days, 180 carriers on the Charleston side and 55 in Ames.

  • 1,156 miroad distance
  • 20 h 38 mindriving time
  • 3–7 daysdelivery window
  • $4,710–$7,0102-bedroom estimate
Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 1,156 miles (980 straight-line)
Drive time
20 h 38 min
Delivery window
3–7 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
180 (89 interstate)
Movers at destination
55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Charleston

The route from Charleston, SC to Ames, IA covers roughly 1,156 miles by road, a northwest-bound trip that falls into the long-distance 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 $4,710 to $7,010 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 20 h 38 min.

On the Charleston side there are 180 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (89 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.

Charleston has a population of about 159,423 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,309 in Charleston), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Charleston to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,156 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,880 $2,300 $2,800
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $2,830 $3,450 $4,200
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $4,710 $5,740 $7,010
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $7,530 $9,190 $11,210
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $10,360 $12,630 $15,410

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,640–$2,310

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

Portable container

$2,050–$3,020

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

Full-service mover

$4,710–$7,010

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Charleston, SC → 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 Charleston (origin)

Antler Transport LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
951978
MC
407642
Based in
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
143 trucks, 143 drivers
USDOT registered
2001
Call (843) 849-0451 Route Verify on FMCSA

Harbor Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Ats Intermodal LLC

USDOT
776430
MC
347563
Based in
North Charleston, SC 29418 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
139 trucks, 117 drivers
USDOT registered
1998
Call (843) 308-9600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Precise Logistical Services INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3298761
MC
1045896
Based in
N Charleston, SC 29420 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
55 trucks, 55 drivers
USDOT registered
2019
Call (843) 425-3495 Route Verify on FMCSA

Xon Logistic LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3730419
MC
1316630
Based in
Charleston, SC 29414 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
45 trucks, 49 drivers
USDOT registered
2021
Call (305) 916-0122 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Aba Moving & Storage INC

USDOT
3402685
MC
1095537
Based in
N Charleston, SC 29406 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
14 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (843) 529-0220 Route Verify on FMCSA

Harbor Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Premier Logistics LLC

USDOT
1220227
MC
340338
Based in
Hanahan, SC 29410 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
12 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered
2004
Call (843) 554-7529 Route Verify on FMCSA

All My Sons Moving & Storage Of Charleston LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2276296
MC
779892
Based in
North Charleston, SC 29405 (2 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
10 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered
2012
Call (469) 461-5000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Smooth Move

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Go Smooth Move LLC

USDOT
2357653
MC
834668
Based in
North Charleston, SC 29405 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
10 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered
2012
Call (843) 860-9717 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 180 movers in Charleston

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 Charleston

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,880 to $2,800 for a studio, $2,830 to $4,200 for a one-bedroom, $4,710 to $7,010 for a two-bedroom, $7,530 to $11,210 for a three-bedroom and $10,360 to $15,410 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Charleston?

About 1,156 road miles (980 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 20 h 38 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 South Carolina 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 Charleston to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,640 to $2,310 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,050 to $3,020. 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 Charleston–Ames corridor.