Chesapeake, VA → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Chesapeake to Ames

About 1,173 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,000–$7,440, delivery in 3–7 days, 321 carriers on the Chesapeake side and 55 in Ames.

1,173 miroad distance
20 h 55 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,000–$7,4402-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Chesapeake, Virginia
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,173 miles (994 straight-line)
Drive time: 20 h 55 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 321 (201 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Chesapeake

Ames sits about 1,173 miles northwest of Chesapeake, which makes this an interstate relocation from Virginia 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 $5,000 to $7,440 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 55 min.

On the Chesapeake side there are 321 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (201 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.

Chesapeake has a population of about 255,332 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 737 in Chesapeake), 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 Virginia, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Chesapeake to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,173 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,000	$2,440	$2,980
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,000	$3,660	$4,460
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,000	$6,100	$7,440
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,000	$9,760	$11,910
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,000	$13,420	$16,370

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,660–$2,340

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

Portable container

$2,070–$3,040

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

Full-service mover

$5,000–$7,440

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Chesapeake, VA → 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 Chesapeake (origin)

Service Transfer INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 139659
MC: 135652
Based in: Chesapeake, VA 23324 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 240 trucks, 217 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (757) 543-7800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Highways & Skyways Of Nc

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Givens Transportation INC

USDOT: 1070890
MC: 446371
Based in: Chesapeake, VA 23320 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 170 trucks, 156 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (757) 233-4300 Route Verify on FMCSA

Apple Moving

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Harrison'S Moving & Storage Company INC

USDOT: 163678
MC: 143934
Based in: Chesapeake, VA 23323 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 44 trucks, 41 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (757) 397-1248 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hampton Roads Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Queeney Enterprises INC

USDOT: 1581633
MC: 585658
Based in: Suffolk, VA 23435 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 43 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (757) 967-0770 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rail Direct Transportation Company

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 706550
MC: 326565
Based in: Portsmouth, VA 23707 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 38 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (757) 398-8600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Leighton Transportation Services INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2139019
MC: 744920
Based in: Portsmouth, VA 23701 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (757) 689-7820 Route Verify on FMCSA

Apple Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Accent Relocation Services INC

USDOT: 795385
MC: 354379
Based in: Norfolk, VA 23504 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 21 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (757) 625-7631 Route Verify on FMCSA

Integrated Global Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Integrated Global Logistics INC

USDOT: 1531539
MC: 570802
Based in: Portsmouth, VA 23704 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (757) 466-3676 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 321 movers in Chesapeake

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 Chesapeake

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,000 to $2,980 for a studio, $3,000 to $4,460 for a one-bedroom, $5,000 to $7,440 for a two-bedroom, $8,000 to $11,910 for a three-bedroom and $11,000 to $16,370 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Chesapeake?

About 1,173 road miles (994 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 20 h 55 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 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.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Chesapeake to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,660 to $2,340 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,070 to $3,040. 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 Chesapeake–Ames corridor.