Daly City, CA → Ames, IA · Cross-country move
About 1,831 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,960–$10,360, delivery in 5–10 days, 273 carriers on the Daly City side and 55 in Ames.
Ames sits about 1,831 miles east of Daly City, which makes this an interstate relocation from California to Iowa that most movers classify as a cross-country 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 $6,960 to $10,360 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 32 hours (4 driving days).
On the Daly City side there are 273 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (77 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.
Daly City has a population of about 101,261 and Ames about 66,000. Daly City is considerably denser (13,803 people per square mile versus 2,355), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in California, 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 | $2,780 | $3,400 | $4,140 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $4,180 | $5,090 | $6,210 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $6,960 | $8,490 | $10,360 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $11,140 | $13,580 | $16,570 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $15,310 | $18,670 | $22,780 |
$2,630–$3,710
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,650–$3,900
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$6,960–$10,360
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Daly City, CA → 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: Act 2 Services INC
Legal name: Lengner And Sons Produce Express
Legal name: Delancey Street Foundation
Legal name: Central Iowa Towing And Recovery INC
Legal name: Myers & Associates LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,780 to $4,140 for a studio, $4,180 to $6,210 for a one-bedroom, $6,960 to $10,360 for a two-bedroom, $11,140 to $16,570 for a three-bedroom and $15,310 to $22,780 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,831 road miles (1,551 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 32 hours (4 driving days).
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.
Yes. Crossing from California 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 $2,630 to $3,710 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,650 to $3,900. 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 Daly City–Ames corridor.