Des Moines, IA → Ames, IA · Local move
About 37 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,100–$1,640, delivery in 0–1 days, 191 carriers on the Des Moines side and 55 in Ames.
The route from Des Moines, IA to Ames, IA covers roughly 37 miles by road, a north-bound trip that falls into the local move category for pricing purposes.
Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 1 h 9 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,100 and $1,640, before packing or storage.
On the Des Moines side there are 191 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (116 of them authorized for interstate work), and 55 around Ames (25 interstate). For an in-state 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.
Des Moines has a population of about 212,086 and Ames about 66,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,428 and 2,355 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $590 | $720 | $880 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $690 | $840 | $1,030 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,100 | $1,350 | $1,640 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $1,710 | $2,080 | $2,540 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $2,540 | $3,100 | $3,790 |
$190–$260
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,050–$1,550
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,100–$1,640
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Des Moines, IA → 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: Standard Forwarding LLC
Legal name: Jacobson Transportation Company INC
Legal name: Nationwide Truck Brokers INC
Legal name: Arona Corporation
Legal name: Central Iowa Towing And Recovery INC
Legal name: Myers & Associates LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $590 to $880 for a studio, $690 to $1,030 for a one-bedroom, $1,100 to $1,640 for a two-bedroom, $1,710 to $2,540 for a three-bedroom and $2,540 to $3,790 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 37 road miles (31 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 1 h 9 min.
For a move this short, loading and delivery normally happen on the same day. Most crews finish a two-bedroom home in 5 to 8 hours plus the drive.
No. Because both Des Moines and Ames are in Iowa, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $190 to $260 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,050 to $1,550. 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 Des Moines–Ames corridor.